By Vernell Hackett
(Nashville: Nov 2, 2014) — If Wednesday night is country’s biggest night with the CMA Awards, then Sunday night started country music’s biggest week with SESAC’s presentation of its annual country and Americana songwriter awards.
One of three performance rights organizations, SESAC represents the rights of the songwriter and collects writers’ royalties on performances.
Rob Hatch, who wrote or co-wrote hits including Lee Brice’s “I Don’t Dance” and Randy Houser’s “Goodnight Kiss,” was named Songwriter of the Year. Lee and Randy honored Rob by performing their respective hits for the music industry crowd who joined the festivities at the Country Music Hall of Fame. With a backdrop of the Nashville skyline, Lee and Randy also presented Rob with his songwriter award for each song.
“We are fortunate enough to get some of the great ones (songs),” Lee told the crowd before giving Rob his award for “I Don’t Dance.” Randy said Rob is “One of the most special people in this town” before he presented him the award for “Goodnight Kiss.”
Rob’s wife, Shannon, honored him with the Songwriter of the Year award. Rob gave her much of the praise for his success, recalling when they were dating and he lost his first writing deal. “I told her I was going to have to get a job to keep some money coming in, and she just looked at me and said, ‘If I have to get two jobs or run this credit card up, you are going to keep writing because that is what you are supposed to do.’
“I love going in those rooms and writing songs,” Rob told the crowd. “I love doing this with my friends Jason Sellers, Dallas Davidson, Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Lance Miller and Jerrod Niemann.”
Jerrod Niemann, left, and Randy Houser walk the red carpet at the SESAC Country Awards
On the red carpet, Rob said he was happy his buddies Jerrod and Randy could be at the awards. “For them to come here and sing some songs, because we know how busy they are, So for them to come here and sing songs and be here with us, we’re just thrilled about it.”
Tim McGraw presented Lance Miller his award for Song of the Year for “Drink to that All Night.” Tim’s company, Songs of Style Sonic Music, published the tune. The singer told the attendees he had prepared a speech but “Everybody’s too drunk to listen to it.”
Tim went on to say, “We are fortunate to live in Nashville, which is filled with vibrant and talented songwriters. They are our most treasured resource. I am proud to present this award to my friend and one of the greatest songwriters in this town, Lance Miller.”
Lance Miller accepts SESAC’s Country Song of the Year award from his publisher, Tim McGraw. The tune was recorded by Randy Houser
“I have a lot of emotions come over me, ” Lance said of what he thinks about when he hears his name called to receive an award. “I think of my dad, and he’s still on this earth thank God,who got me in this business. I think of a lot of people that mean something to me. It’s an important night and to feel validated feels good.”
Dustin Lynch, who was at his first SESAC awards, presented a performance award to Kenny Barlow, who penned his two-week number one hit, “Where It’s At,” which was also declared a gold single by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA).
A complete list of SESAC Award Recipients Follows:
Songwriter of the Year: Rob Hatch
Song of the Year: “Drink To That All Night” Written by Lance Miller Published by Melvin’s Bullets Music, Melvin’s Pistol Music, Songs of StyleSonic Music Recorded by Jerrod Niemann
Publisher of the Year: Magic Mustang Music
Country Performance Activity Awards:
“All Alright” Written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette Published by Day for the Dead Publishing, Rosest Music Recorded by Zac Brown Band
Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum Received a Songwriter’s Performance Award for the group’s hit “Bartender”
“Bartender” Written by Hillary Scott Published by Hobbs Hill Publishing Recorded by Lady Antebellum
“Beer With Jesus” Written by Lance Miller Published by Melvin’s Bullets Music, Melvin’s Pistol Music, Songs of StyleSonic Music Recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Cruise” Written by Jesse Rice Published by Artist Revolution Publishing Recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“DONE.” Written by Jacob Bryant, John Davidson Published by Castle Bound Music Recorded by The Band Perry
“Drink To That All Night” Written by Lance Miller Published by Melvin’s Bullets Music , Melvin’s Pistol Music, Songs of StyleSonic Music Recorded by Jerrod Niemann
“Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About” Written by Keifer Thompson Published by Barragina Music, Legends of Magic Mustang Music Recorded by Thompson Square
“Goodnight Kiss” Written by Rob Hatch Published by Legends of Magic Mustang Music, Way Down the Hatch Music Publishing Recorded by Randy Houser
“I Don’t Dance” Written by Rob Hatch Published by Legends of Magic Mustang Music, Way Down the Hatch Music Publishing Recorded by Lee Brice
“Wagon Wheel” Written by Bob Dylan Published by Special Rider Music Recorded by Darius Rucker
“Where It’s At (Yep, Yep)” Written by Cary Barlowe Published by Castle Bound Music, We Be Pawtying Recorded by Dustin Lynch
Americana Honorees
Bad Self Portraits Contributions by Rachael Price Published by Rachael Price Music, WBM Music Corp Recorded by Lake Street Dive
BLUESAmericana Contributions by Pete Sallis, Victoria Shaw Published by Song Alert Publishing, Tunes of R&T Direct, Victoria Shaw Songs Recorded by Keb’ Mo’
Build Me Up From Bones Contributions by Bob Dylan Published by Ram’s Horn Music Recorded by Sarah Jarosz
Daylight & Dark Contributions by Hayes Carll, Jason Eady, Jim Lauderdale, Kelley Mickwee Published by BMG Cicada Music, Ginger Dragon Music, Highway 87 Publishing, Jason Eady Music, Sandalwood Songs, WBM Music Corp Recorded by Jason Eady
Hard Working Americans Contributions by Hayes Carll, Kieran Kane Published by Family Style Publishing, Glacier Park Music, Highway 87 Publishing, Little Duck Music Recorded by Hard Working Americans
High Life Contributions by Bob Dylan Published by Big Sky Music Recorded by Charlie Robison
Let It Go Contributions by Adam Chaffins Published by Chaffins Publishing Recorded by The Infamous Stringdusters
Magpie and the Dandelion Contributions by Scott Avett, Seth Avett, Bob Crawford Published by First Big Snow Publishing, NemoIVMusic, Ramseur Family Fold Music, Truth Comes True Publishing Recorded by The Avett Brothers
Out Among the Stars Contributions by Rick Scott Published by Tunes From the Farm, Unbridled Spirit Music Recorded by Johnny Cash
Put Your Needle Down Contributions by Bob Dylan Published by Special Rider Music Recorded by The Secret Sisters
Remedy Contributions by Bob Dylan Published by Special Rider Music Recorded by Old Crow Medicine Show
Sunday Morning Record Contributions by Ed Jurdi, Gordy Quist Published by Three Pisces Music, Victrolacaster Music Recorded by The Band of Heathens
Tell the Ones I Love
Contributions by Jonathan Byrd
Published by Jonathan Byrd Music
Recorded by Steep Canyon Rangers
The Red Album
Contributions by Jonathan Byrd
Published by Jonathan Byrd Music
Recorded by Red Molly