Josh Hoge Named Songwriter of the Year at SESAC Awards

The 2016 SESAC Awards were held Sunday night (Oct. 30) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and honored some of the biggest songwriters in country music.

Written by Annie Reuter
Josh Hoge Named Songwriter of the Year at SESAC Awards
Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SESAC)

The 2016 SESAC Awards were held Sunday night (Oct. 30) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and honored some of the biggest songwriters in country music. Before the awards, Sounds Like Nashville attended the Red Carpet and spoke with Dustin Lynch, Billy Currington, Cassadee Pope and 2016 SESAC Songwriter of the Year Josh Hoge, among others, who all shared the best advice they had been given on the craft of songwriting.

Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SESAC

Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SESAC

Lynch, who recently wrapped his tour with Luke Bryan and says he’ll be taking the next few weeks off to work on his third album, said the best guidance he has received is to write a lot. He adds that his creative juices frequently flow while driving and being on a boat.

“Write what moves you, write what you’ve experienced,” he tells Sounds Like Nashville. “We all feel and go through the same things in life and music is all about that connection and emotion. Some of my best songs I’ve written are things that I’ve actually done and gone through.”

He adds that he loves attending the SESAC Awards because it’s an event where Nashville’s creative community is honored.

“We recognize these guys and girls who really make it a magical town and I’m happy to be a part of that,” he says.

Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SESAC

Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SESAC

Billy Currington recently celebrated his own No. 1 single with “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To,” which he co-wrote with 2015 SESAC Songwriter of the Year Cary Barlowe and Shy Carter. On the Red Carpet, he commented that songwriters should be the biggest stars in the industry because it all starts with the song. He also urges those who write to move to the town that best suits their style of music.

“Go where most of the people that are in that industry are. You’ll connect with more people,” he advises.

Meanwhile, co-writer Barlowe says his life hasn’t changed dramatically since his 2015 SESAC Songwriter of the Year honor.

“I’ve been trying to ride the wave and keep my head down and keep writing songs,” he says. “Every now and then you get lucky. I’m thankful I still get to show up.”

So what’s the award winner’s advice for up-and-coming songwriters?

“Challenge yourself. Keep your head up,” he says. “When you hear no, keep writing. Eventually it’s a volume game. If you keep getting up, you’re going to get somewhere eventually. Sometimes it takes awhile.”

“Outskirts of Heaven” singer and songwriter Craig Campbell agrees.

“It’s just like anything else. Songwriting is always a work-in-progress. You get better at it. I’m way better now than when I first moved to town. You just have to keep striving to be better at it.”

Hoge, who was named 2016’s SESAC Songwriter of the Year, gave up life on the road only a year-and-a-half ago to pursue songwriting full-time. Previously, he and his band Jukebox Mafia were on tour with Miranda Lambert after being discovered by the singer at Nashville’s weekly concert series Whiskey Jam.

“I owe my life to Chris Young,” he said, alluding to his previous No. 1 hits “I’m Comin’ Over” and “Think of You” with the singer. “I just want to write songs. I want to be a dad and write songs and stay at home.”

Having been named 2016’s Songwriter of the Year, Hoge has more than accomplished this feat. He adds that it’s always flattering to hear his songs on the radio and to learn how much his music has touched listeners.

Cassadee Pope, who is nominated alongside Young for CMA Vocal Event of the Year with their duet “Think of You,” says she’s been writing with Young and Corey Crowder and shared her advice for overcoming writer’s block.

“Write down what you’re thinking,” she suggests. “It doesn’t have to be poetic or make sense. If you do that and let it breathe for a little bit, you’ll be able to get something out of that. To me, the most amazing songs and the biggest hits come from a simple phrase that people use every day like ‘I Will Always Love You.’ It’s not hard to get but it’s an iconic song. That’s something I learned that works for me.”

SESAC Awards Honors:
Songwriter of the Year: Josh Hoge

Song of the Year: “Somewhere On a Beach” – Written by Michael Tyler, Jaron Boyer, Alexander Palmer, Dave Kuncio, Josh Mirenda; Recorded by Dierks Bentley

Publisher of the Year: Sony ATV / EMI Foray Publishing and Write 2 Be Free Music

“Hell Of A Night” Written by Jaron Boyer
Published by peertunes, Ltd.
Recorded by Dustin Lynch

“I’m Comin’ Over”
Written by Josh Hoge
Published by Write 2 Be Free Music
Sony ATV/EMI Foray Music
Recorded by Chris Young

“We Went”

Written by Justin Wilson
Published by Legends of Magic Mustang Music
Recorded by Randy Houser

“Homegrown”
Written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon, Wyatt Durrette
Published by Day for the Dead Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, Rosest Music, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Zac Brown Band

“Castaway”
Written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon, Wyatt Durrette
Published by Day for the Dead Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, Rosest Music, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Zac Brown Band

“Beautiful Drug”

Written by Zac Brown, Niko Moon
Published by Day for the Dead Publishing, Siva Moon Publishing, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Zac Brown Band

“Somewhere On A Beach”
Written by Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler
Published by Jaron Boyer Music, peertunes, LTD.
Recorded by Dierks Bentley

“Peter Pan”
Written by Jesse Lee
Recorded by Kelsea Ballerini

“Think Of You”
Written by Josh Hoge
Published by Write 2 Be Free Music, Sony ATV/EMI Foray Music
Recorded by Chris Young

“Kiss You In The Morning”
Written by Justin Wilson
Published by Legends of Magic Mustang Music
Recorded by Michael Ray

“Real Men Love Jesus”
Written by Lance Miller
Published by Spirit Nashville Three, Melvin’s Pistol Music, Melvin’s Bullets Music, WBM Music Corp.
Recorded by Michael Ray

“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To”
Written by Cary Barlowe
Published by We Be Pawtying, Castle Bound Music
Recorded by Billy Currington

“Wasted Time”
Written by James Abrahart Jr.
Published by Jayded Ink Publishing, 360 Music
Recorded by Keith Urban