Brothers Osborne, Ashley Gorley Claim Top Honors at ASCAP Awards

See everything that went down at the 54th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards last night in our video recap...

Written by Lauren Laffer
Brothers Osborne, Ashley Gorley Claim Top Honors at ASCAP Awards
Photo via @soundslikenashville on Instagram

Last night, Nashville showed off its songwriting guns when the best and brightest in country music attended the 54th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, held in the Ryman Auditorium.

The ceremony honored the best songwriters in country music this year, including the Top Five Songs of the Year: “Gonna,” co-written by Craig Wiseman and recorded by Blake Shelton; “I’m Comin’ Over,” co-written by Corey Crowder and recorded by Chris Young; “Nothin’ Like You,” co-written by Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStefano and recorded by Dan + Shay; “Save It For A Rainy Day,” co-written by Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi and record by Kenny Chesney; and “Stay A Little Longer,” co-written by T.J. Osborne and John Osborne for Brothers Osborne.

“We love country music and we love songwriters. We’re proud to be accepted into the community… at least we think we are,” Smyers told Sounds Like Nashville on the red carpet. “They let us on the red carpet, at least tonight. It’s a blast to come back and see all your buddies. We’re on the road so much all year and to be able to get up on stage tonight too is going to be a blast.”

“We moved to town to be songwriters… that was our passion. It’s a night to honor what we feel like moved us to come here in the first place,” said Kip Moore.

Along with the top honors was a special tribute to Ricky Skaggs, who received The Founders Award. The accolade is one of ASCAP’s highest honors and is presented to songwriters and composers who have inspired fellow music creators by being innovative. Skaggs longtime friends Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss and Peter Frampton each took part in the three song tribute to the iconic figure.

Chris Stapleton was named the recipient of The Vanguard Award, which recognizes the impact of an ASCAP member on musical genres that shape the future of American music.

“That voice is like one of the most haunting, incredible voices I’ve ever heard,” newcomer Brett Young said of Stapleton. “I guess to even just share a stage as a presenter is an honor.”

To top the night off, T.J. and John Osborne’s “Stay A Little Longer” claimed Song of the Year and Ashley Gorley reclaimed his title of Songwriter of the Year for the fourth time.

See everything that went down at the 54th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards last night in our video above…