NMPA Honors Songwriters At Annual Gold & Platinum Nashville Gala
David Israelite; Photo: Nathan Morgan
The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) held its annual Gold & Platinum Gala Oct. 23 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. This year’s gala brought together hundreds of songwriters, artists, managers, and publishers to honor the people behind the hits.
The evening recognized over 150 songwriters whose tracks reached certified Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum status from July 2024 to June 2025. During the event, songwriters were called to the stage to accept their plaques as the speakers played their tunes and friends cheered and celebrated each other’s milestones.
Notably, Amy Allen was named Top Female Songwriter with five Platinum and Gold certifications in country music over the past year. Those certifications include “Sweet Dreams” and “Damn Near Normal” by Koe Wetzel, “High Road” by Koe Wetzel and Jessie Murph, and “Heartbroken” by Diplo featuring Jessie Murph and Polo G.
“I am beyond grateful to get to learn from so many of the greats of my time and call so many of them friends now. Thank you all of Nashville for taking me in with open arms. I cannot express how thankful I am,” said Allen.
Later, Ashley Gorley was named Top Male Songwriter for the third year in a row. David Israelite, President of the NMPA, presented the award, saying, “In sports, [this is] what we call a hat trick. He is the Michael Jordan, the Patrick Mahomes, and the Shohei Ohtani of songwriting. This is all-time greatness.”
Gorley humbly accepted, thanking God, NMPA, Taperoom, Sony, and ASCAP. “I was reminded tonight of how great country music is and challenged by how high the bar is. I do not take this award lightly. Thank you all very much.”
In addition to the awards, the night featured several performances by artists including Maddie & Tae, Brothers Osborne, and Ernest, who honored Dean Dillon following his acceptance of the Platinum Anthem Award for the 17× Platinum hit “Tennessee Whiskey.”
Music City Walk Of Fame To Induct Old Dominion, Charley Pride & Liz Rose
Charley Pride, Liz Rose & Old Dominion
The Music City Walk of Fame has unveiled its newest inductees. Old Dominion, Charley Pride (posthumously) and Liz Rose will be inducted on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will be open to the public. Old Dominion, Pride and Rose will be the 110th, 111th and 112th stars on the Walk of Fame, recognized for their work of preserving the musical heritage of Nashville.
“These inductees represent the heart of Nashville’s music story,” says Ellen Pryor, Chair of Music City Inc., the foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, and Director of Communications at Frist Art Museum. “From Old Dominion’s rise from songwriters to stars, to Charley Pride’s trailblazing legacy, to Liz Rose’s timeless storytelling that defined an era — each has left an unforgettable mark on music and on Nashville.”
Since forming, Old Dominion have had nine No. 1 hits, collected eight ACM awards and seven CMA awards for Group of the Year. Their sixth album Barbara dropped on Aug. 22, and they are currently on their “How Good Is That – World Tour” performing in arenas through 2026.
Before his passing in 2o20, Pride was a Grand Ole Opry member, a three time GRAMMY winner, and was a recipient of the Recording Academy’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.” He had 39 chart-toppers, including “Kiss An Angel Good Morning.” Pride was also named CMA’s Entertainer of the Year in 1971, and was Top Male Vocalist in 1971 and 1972.
Songwriter Rose has most notably co-penned 16 tracks with Taylor Swift, including the GRAMMY winning “White Horse” and GRAMMY nominated “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).” She also co-wrote the 2015 GRAMMY and CMA winning song “Girl Crush,” recorded by Little Big Town.
Jeffrey Steele, Bob McDill Among Songwriters Hall Of Fame 2026 Nominees
Jeffrey Steele and Bob McDill are among the nominees for induction into The Songwriters Hall of Fame who will be recognized at the 2026 Induction & Awards Gala in New York City.
A songwriter with a catalog of notable songs qualifies for induction 20 years after his or her first commercial release of a song. Eligible voting members will have until midnight ET on Dec, 4 to turn in ballots, with their choices of up to three nominees in each of the songwriter and performing songwriter categories.
Jeffrey Steele (“What Hurts The Most, “My Wish,” “The Cowboy In Me,”), Bob McDill (“Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold,” “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “Song Of The South”), Larry Weiss (“Rhinestone Cowboy”) and Taylor Swift are among the writers nominated in the Non Performing Songwriters category who have penned country hits.
A full list of this year’s nominees, which also includes David Byrne, LL Cool J, Kenny Loggins, P!nk and many more, is available at songhall.org.
NSAI Reveals Board Of Directors Changes
Pictured (L-R): Drew Baldridge, Parker Welling & Ben Williams
NSAI has begun its multi-part Board election, beginning with elevating Parker Welling to Industry Liaison on the executive committee, and adding Ben Williams to fill Welling’s old seat. Additionally, Drew Baldridge has joined the Board as an Artist-Writer Representative.
Current Board members Rhett Akins and Roger Brown received re-appointments to their positions, with Akins remaining an Artist-Writer Representative and Brown as the Legislative Chair, effective immediately.
The final step in the election process will be votes from professional members and further selections by the NSAI board to determine the remainder of the 2026 NSAI Board of Directors at a later date.
ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN Announce AI Registration Policies
ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN have announced updated policies for musical works created in part by artificial intelligence.
All three PRO registration policies define a partially AI-generated musical work as one that combines elements of AI-generated musical content with elements of human authorship. These works will now be included as part of the full repertories licensed by each society. Musical compositions that are entirely created using AI tools are not eligible for registration with any of the individual societies.
“Songwriters and composers have always experimented with innovative tools as part of their creative process, and AI is no exception,” says Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP. “We are clarifying our registration policy to now welcome partially AI-generated musical works because we believe AI can be a powerful tool for our members, as long as the law puts humans first and technology companies play fair and respect the rights of creators.”
“This is an important first step in protecting human creativity as AI technologies evolve, while supporting the songwriters and composers who choose to use AI as a tool to enhance their creative process,” shares Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI. “All music creators will benefit from this aligned approach to the registration of partial AI-works that appropriately values creators’ contributions and ensures they are paid properly.”
“This alignment creates a legal and ethical path forward for AI in music. It recognizes that music creators are embracing new tools, while reinforcing our commitment to what matters most: respect for their work and the protection of human creativity,” adds Jennifer Brown, CEO, SOCAN. “The future of music can embrace AI and still remain deeply human.”
More information about each PRO’s AI initiatives, advocacy and registration policies can be found on their websites.
North Chapel Music Announces Staff Addition, Promotion To Creative Team
Joe Dan Cornett and Wendy Buckner
North Chapel Music has added Joe Dan Cornett as Creative Director and appointed Wendy Buckner to the role of Senior Creative Director for the Benny Brown-founded company.
Reporting to company Executive Vice President Paul Compton, Cornett brings more than a decade of publishing experience to his new role. A Nashville native with deep roots in the heart of Music City and a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Cornett has helped shape more than 600 songs, including in gospel, CCM/worship, country, bluegrass, Americana and film and TV.
Buckner has more than 20 years of experience in publishing, music and TV production, and artist management, and previously served as North Chapel’s Creative Director. In her newly-appointed role as Senior Creative Director, she will continue to report to Compton.
“Joe Dan knows how to find great opportunities for a great song. As well as his work in the country genre, he’s placed multiple No. 1 hits in bluegrass and Southern gospel and is a trusted voice in music publishing,” says Brown. “Meanwhile, Wendy has been a key member of our team since the launch of North Chapel and we look forward to the new projects she’ll tackle in her expanded role.”
“I’m excited to join Benny, Paul and the team at North Chapel Music,” says Cornett. “My true passion lies in championing songwriters and creatives—helping them find their voice and share their stories with the world—and there’s no one I’d rather fight for than North Chapel’s amazing group of writers.”
Cornett is already on the job and can be reached at joedan@northchapelmusic.com. Buckner, whose email address remains unchanged, can be reached at wendy@northchapelmusic.com.
Jessi Vaughn Stevenson Launches Perfect Game Creative
Jessi Vaughn Stevenson. Photo: Courtesy of WCM and RUNCLUB Creative
A&R industry executive Jessi Vaughn Stevenson has launched music publishing, management, and A&R consulting company Perfect Game Creative, in partnership with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
With the partnership, Stevenson will continue working with select Warner Chappell writers, including Morgan Wallen, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, and rising singer-songwriter Schmitty. Beginning in January of 2026, Perfect Game will begin signing new clients to their publishing roster in collaboration with Warner Chappell.
“I’m so proud to see Jessi bring her vision for Perfect Game Creative to life,” says Austen Adams, President, WCM Nashville. “She’s always led with creativity, instinct, and an unwavering dedication – consistently helping songwriters reach their full potential. We’re thrilled that our partnership will allow us to continue working closely together, united by our shared belief in putting songwriters at the heart of everything we do.”
“I’m so deeply grateful to Guy, Carianne, Phil, and Austen for their support and belief in me as I take on this next chapter,” adds Stevenson. “It’s really exciting to keep building on what we’ve accomplished together while stepping into a dream I have had for so long.”
Stevenson most recently served as Vice President, A&R and Digital at Warner Chappell, where she spent a decade. Through her time at Warner Chappell, she developed talent such as Jessi Alexander, Aaron Raitiere, Rhett Akins, Hailey Whitters, Randy Montana, Will Bundy, Lee Miller, and Little Big Town, among others.
Colt Murski Joins KP Entertainment As Senior Director Of Publishing
Luke Bryan, Colt Murski and Kerri Edwards
KP Entertainment has appointed Colt Murski as Senior Director of Publishing. A Music Row publishing veteran, Murski will oversee the publishing operations, support the roster of writers, expose the song catalog and curate creative growth opportunities.
“I started in this business working with songwriters so they have always had a special place in my heart,” says Kerri Edwards. “This arm of KP Entertainment is very important to me and finding the right person to lead it was just as important. With 20 years of experience in our town, Colt fills that spot perfectly. He leads with excitement and integrity and I am confident we will continue to build a strong company for creatives.”
“Kerri and Luke are highly respected figures in this industry and I’m very honored to be a part of their team. I’m also very excited to work with this talented group of writers at KPE and look forward to growing this company and achieving great success together,” says Murski.
Murski can be reached at colt@kpentertainment.co.
Bobby Huff Inks With Ten Ten Music Group
Joe Luff, Bobby Huff & Barry Coburn
Songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Bobby Huff has signed a publishing and management deal with Ten Ten Music Group.
Nashville-based Huff has created in multiple-genres, including rock, country and pop. He has had multiple top five and top 10 hits with Papa Roach, Mayday Parade, Drowning Pool, 3 Doors Down, Saliva, and Shinedown. He has also collaborated with Sabrina Carpenter, Simple Plan, Halestorm and Chris Lane. Most notably, he contributed to Reba McEntire’s No. 1 hit “Turn On The Radio.”
Huff’s songs have also appeared on multiple TV shows and movies, including Grey’s Anatomy, American Idol, Tomorrowland, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Teen Beach Movie 2. His songs can be heard across Disney, HBO, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and ESPN. He also produced “Winter Light” recorded by Tim Finn, which was featured in The Chronicles of Narnia.
“As a songwriter and record producer, Huff is a multi-genre asset. His production is distinctive and intentional, his songwriting is crisp, and his work ethic is consistent,” says Joe Luff, Head of Creative at Ten Ten Music. “Barry Coburn [President of Ten Ten] has a longstanding relationship with Bobby, and they’ve done great work together over the years. We’re extremely excited to pick up where they left off.”
“There is no one I have had more success with or trusted more with my career than Barry Coburn,” adds Huff. “It is great to be working with him again and joining his new team during such an exciting time.”
Play It Again Music Adds Two
Amy O’Connor and Molly Reinold
Play It Again Music has expanded its team, adding Amy O’Connor as Director of Digital and Streaming and Molly Reinold as Creative Director.
O’Connor will lead all digital strategy and streaming initiatives across the company’s publishing, artist management and label divisions.
Reinold will oversee creative strategy and development for Play It Again Music’s songwriter and catalog roster, spanning publishing, artist management and label divisions.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Molly and Amy to the PIA family,” says Dallas Davidson, songwriter and founder of PIA. “Their drive, creativity, and expertise will be key as we continue to build on the momentum we’ve seen with our artists. This is a really exciting moment for PIA, and their additions will help keep us pushing forward with full force.”
Nickname Jos Signs With Concord Music Publishing
Pictured (L-R, top row): George Seay (Supper Club Management), nickname jos and Brad Kennard (Concord). (L-R, bottom row): Jen Hubbard (Concord) and Lily Bunta (Concord). Photo: Audrey Spillman
Artist, songwriter, and producer Josef Kuhn, known professionally as Nickname Jos, has inked a global co-publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. The deal includes his full catalog and future works.
“I am so pumped to join the Concord team,” says Nickname Jos. “Being a part of the formative and creative process is where I thrive most — I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue creating.”
Through his work as a performer, songwriter and producer, he has collaborated with many Nashville indie artists such as Annie DiRusso, Hannah Cole, Samia, The Greeting Committee, Tommy Lefroy, Archie Summers, Mali Velasquez and Kristiane.
In August, he released his debut album Buckshot, which he self-produced. The project combines shoegaze and lo-fi pop mixed with 80’s power pop. His additional singles throughout the year including “Shoulders” and “Armor” have landed him on Spotify’s “Pop Right Now,” “POLLEN,” and “Fresh Finds Indie” playlists.
“We are so excited to be working with Jos, he has impressed us with his extraordinary talent as an artist, producer, writer, and multi-instrumentalist,” shares Concord Music Publishing’s Jen Hubbard (Director, Sync A&R). “He brings a rare authenticity and a distinctive creative fingerprint to every song he touches. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what we create together. We are truly honored that Jos has chosen Concord as his creative publishing team and champions.”
Nickname Jos is currently on the road with Sombr as part of his band on the “Late Nights & Young Romance Tour.” He will also appear on Saturday Night Live next month for Sombr’s debut as musical guest.