Blake Pendergrass Named NSAI's 'Songwriter of the Year'

Preparations for the 9th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards are underway, and The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) alongside presenting partner City National Bank have announced that No. 1 hit songwriter Blake Pendergrass will be honored at the September 22 Ryman Auditorium celebration.

Pendergrass has earned the honor of NSAI’s 2026 ‘Songwriter of the Year,’ an award given to the Nashville-associated songwriter who achieved the most charting success on the Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, Country, Mainstream Top 40 and/or Rock genres during the eligible period (May 1, 2025- April 30, 2026). Pendergrass earned his first No. 1 in July of 2025 for “Just In Case” by Morgan Wallen, which was quickly followed by three additional No. 1 hits within the year. Additionally, he received his first CMA Triple Play Award on April 13, 2026.

The night will include performances and stories to recognize his achievement, and he will be honored alongside previously announced honorees Riley Green (Songwriter-Artist of the Year Award), Vince Gill (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award) and Paul Williams (NSAI President’s Keystone Award). Additional award recipients will be revealed.
On Wednesday, July 15, the first round of performers participating in the event will be revealed, and tickets for the ceremony will go on sale on Friday, July 17 at www.ryman.com.

In addition to the previously mentioned awards, the night will also recognize the 2026 Legendary Song award, honoring a song that is deemed legendary above all others and which has stood the test of time in the designated timeframe. The eligibility period for this year’s award was 1969-1985 and the NSAI Board of Directors carefully selected 10 impactful songs from that time for the pro membership to anonymously vote on to determine the top legendary song.

For more information, please visit nashvillesongwriters.com.