Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” Wins Song of the Year At 2025 Nashville Songwriters Awards, Dolly Parton & Alabama Among Those Honored

Last night at the Ryman Auditorium, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) gathered together for the eighth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, with names such as Ella Langley, Alabama, Ashley Gorley, Jason Aldean and more in attendance.

The evening began with a tribute to the late Kris Kristofferson, who was a NSAI founding member, which was capped off by a cover of his 1971 hit, “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Everything I’ll Ever Do Again)” by Lukas Nelson. The legacy of the “Me and Bobby McGee” singer was felt heavily throughout the night, with Alabama later winning the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, an award that recognizes “a lifetime of songwriting achievement” by “an individual whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and who has inspired the careers of others.”

Dolly Parton was also honored at the ceremony, taking home the “Legendary Song” award for her solo-written 1974 track, “I Will Always Love You,” which was later popularized by Whitney Houston. Though she was not in attendance, Dolly appeared via video and thanked the NSAI for the honor.

“This song has become so many things to so many people. That is the power of music, and I can’t thank you enough for honoring me and allowing me to tell my stories.”

Unsurprisingly, Ashley Gorley took home the all-encompassing Songwriter of the Year title given his laundry list of #1 hits throughout the past year which includes the likes of Morgan Wallen and Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” Morgan Wallen and ERNEST’s “Cowgirls,” Jelly Roll’s “I Am Not Okay,” Nate Smith’s “World on Fire,” and more.

In what can only be described as one of the most odd award names out there, 10 songs and 37 writers took home the honor of being named one of the “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written.” The songs, which had to meet the convoluted criteria of 1) having at least one Nashville-based songwriter credited, 2) charting inside the Top 20 of Billboard’s Christian, Country, Mainstream Top 40 and/or Rock Airplay chart and 3) charting between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, were quite interesting.

Among the awarded songs were Ella Langley and Riley Green’s breakout collaboration, “you look like you love me,” Morgan Wallen and Post Malone’s smash hit, “I Had Some Help,” Zach Top’s “I Never Lie,” Lainey Wilson’s “4X4XU” and… Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”

Finally, none other than Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” took home the Song of the Year award. The track, which was written independently by Josh Phillips, also took home Song of the Year at the 60th Annual CMA Awards this past May.

In a video, Johnson thanked Phillips for allowing him to record the song, noting that it changed his life.

“You have no idea how much [‘Dirt Cheap’] changed my life… the impact that I get to see of the song you wrote.”

Accepting his award, Phillips would go on to thank Cody Johnson for recording the song, Warner Chappell Music and the NSAI before performing the song himself as the night wrapped up.

Other notable winners include Christian artist, Matthew West, winning the Artist-Songwriter Award for the second time and Brenda Lee, bringing home the NSAI President’s Keystone Award for her significant contributions to the songwriting industry and betterment of all songwriters.

Full List of Winners

Song of the Year

“Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson (written by Josh Phillips)

Songwriter of the Year

Ashley Gorley

Songwriter-Artist of the Year

Matthew West

Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award

Alabama

NSAI President’s Keystone Award

Brenda Lee

Legendary Song

“I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton (written by Parton)

“10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” Award

1. “4x4XU” – Lainey Wilson
   • Writers: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
2. “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
   • Writers: Amy Allen, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, Steph Jones
3. “I Had Some Help” – Morgan Wallen feat. Post Malone
   • Writers: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Jonathan Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
4. “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
   • Writers: Carson Chamberlian, Zach Top
5. “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood
   • Writers: Kelly Archer, Travis Denning, Chris Stevens
6. “Lies Lies Lies” – Morgan Wallen
   • Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins
7. “One Bad Habit” – Tim McGraw
   • Writers: Marc Beeson, Aaaron Eshuis, Tony Lane
8. “She’s Somebody’s Daughter (Reimagined)” – Drew Baldridge
   • Writers: Drew Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes, Jimmy Yeary
9. “Texas” – Blake Shelton
   • Writers: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
10. “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley feat. Riley Green
    • Writers: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere