Warner/Chappell Music (WCM) has been named ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year for a record fifth year in a row.
The news came as part of Country Music Week in Nashville, which saw WCM songwriters take home a company record of 41 country music awards from the three major performing rights organizations – including 24 ASCAP Most Performed Song Awards, 11 BMI Top Song Awards, and six SESAC Country Performance Activity Awards.
Notable highlights include: Ashley Gorley winning ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for the fourth year in a row—and fifth time ever; Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere on a Beach,” co-written by WCM songwriter Josh Mirenda, winning ASCAP Song of the Year; Warner/Chappell being named SESAC’s Publisher of the Year; Lady Antebellum receiving the SESAC Humanitarian Award in recognition of their philanthropic efforts through the LadyAid charity; and WCM and Word songwriter Justin Ebach being named Writer of the Year by SESAC.
Ben Vaughn, President of Warner/Chappell Nashville, commented: “It is an honor and a privilege to work with the best songwriters and the best team in Nashville.
“It’s been an incredible week, and I am so proud of what our songwriters have achieved this year, and grateful to the Nashville community for their trust and tremendous support and recognition.
“It’s been an incredible week, and I am so proud of what our songwriters have achieved this year, and grateful to the Nashville community for their trust and tremendous support and recognition.”
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell
“I am especially thankful for the amazing encouragement from Jon Platt, and our extended Warner/Chappell family – this week, this year, and always.”
“In a community driven by songwriting, Warner/Chappell songwriters are creating the biggest hits and shaping the future of country music,” said Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music.
“Nashville is also a city where strong, healthy competition is constantly raising the bar of excellence. So for our roster and our team to triumph year after year is an extraordinary accomplishment.
“Thank you and congrats to our amazing songwriters, and to Ben and our entire Nashville organization for hitting it out of the park again – you have made us all very proud.”
At last night’s 51st annual CMA Awards, WCM songwriters swept six categories: Chris Stapleton won Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year; Brothers Osborne won Duo of the Year, and their song “It Ain’t My Fault” – co-written by Lee Miller – won Music Video of the Year; Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – written by Steven Lee Olsen – won Single of the Year; and Little Big Town won Vocal Group of the Year for the sixth year in a row.
