The Nashville Songwriters Association International has announced that rising hitmaker Blake Pendergrass will be honoured as Songwriter of the Year at the 9th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, set to take place on September 22 at the iconic Ryman Auditorium.
Presented in partnership with City National Bank, the award recognises the Nashville-affiliated songwriter who has achieved the most success on the Billboard Airplay charts across country, Christian, Top 40 and rock during the eligibility period. For Pendergrass, the accolade caps off a remarkable breakthrough year that has seen him quickly rise through the ranks of Music City’s songwriting elite.
His surge began with his first No. 1 in July 2025, co-writing ‘Just In Case' for Morgan Wallen: a milestone that was swiftly followed by three additional chart-toppers within the same year. Since then, Pendergrass has topped the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart and secured his first CMA Triple Play Award, cementing his status as one of Nashville’s most in-demand writers.
The Nashville Songwriter Awards will celebrate Pendergrass’ achievement with a night of performances and storytelling, a hallmark of the event that shines a spotlight on the craft behind the hits. He will be honoured alongside a distinguished group of previously announced recipients, including Riley Green (Songwriter-Artist of the Year), Vince Gill (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award) and Paul Williams (NSAI President’s Keystone Award).
Further honours will be revealed on the night, including the coveted Song of the Year and the fan-favourite “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” awards. The ceremony will also spotlight the 2026 Legendary Song award, recognising a timeless track from the 1969–1985 era, a period widely regarded as one of the most influential in modern songwriting history.
Performers for the event will be announced on July 15, with tickets going on sale two days later via the Ryman Auditorium. As always, the evening promises to bring together some of the industry’s finest songwriters and artists for a celebration of the stories and songs that define the genre.
Produced annually by NSAI, the world’s largest not-for-profit trade organisation dedicated to protecting and supporting songwriters, the Nashville Songwriter Awards continue to stand as one of the most prestigious nights on the Music City calendar.
