Tunesmith Ross Copperman has been named the 2020 BMI Songwriter of the Year, nabbing one of his craft’s top prizes at the 68th Annual BMI Country Awards.
Put on each year by Broadcast Music, Inc. — one of the Nashville companies keeping track of how many times each song is played across the globe, and then making sure the people who created it get paid — the awards are a celebration of the most performed country songs of the year. And this year’s big winner had a hand in six of the Top 50. Earning the award for the fourth time of his career, Ross Copperman co-wrote smash 2020 hits including “Catch” (Brett Young), “Living” (Dierks Bentley), “Love Ain’t” (Eli Young Band), “Love Someone” (Brett Eldredge), “Tip of My Tongue” (Kenny Chesney) and “What She Wants Tonight” (Luke Bryan).
Meanwhile, “Whiskey Glasses” (performed by Morgan Wallen) was named the 2020 BMI Song of the Year, giving co-writer Ben Burgess his first BMI award. The song has been certified triple platinum and was a multi-week Number One at country radio, also topping Billboard’s year-end charts as the top Country song of 2019. Likewise, Warner Chappell was named Publisher of the Year for the third year in a row.
The awards ceremony also celebrated the songwriters and publishers of the 50 most-performed country songs of the previous year, a list that includes hits like “Heartache Medication” (Jon Pardi), “Look What God Gave Her” (Thomas Rhett), “More Hearts Than Mine” (Ingrid Andress), “Old Town Road (Remix)” (Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) and “Tip of My Tongue.” More information on the year’s top songs is available on the 68th Annual BMI Country Awards website.
“This year has been a challenge for all of Music City, but this community has adapted beautifully and supported one another so unfailingly,” said Clay Bradley, VP, Creative Nashville. “Though this ceremony may look different, BMI is as proud as ever to once again honor the most performed songs of the year.”
See a full list of this year’s honorees here.
