Country music’s songwriting community is preparing for one of its biggest celebrations of the year, and two familiar names are already taking home major honors.
Riley Green has been selected as the 2026 NSAI Songwriter-Artist of the Year, recognizing his success as both a performer and songwriter. The award reflects an impressive period in which Green continued to build on his reputation as one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers, delivering songs that connected with audiences while maintaining a strong presence on the charts.
Joining him among the early winners is songwriter Blake Pendergrass, who has been named the 2026 NSAI Songwriter of the Year. Pendergrass has experienced a rapid rise in Nashville, collecting multiple chart-topping songs and establishing himself as one of the industry’s most in-demand writers. His recent achievements have placed him among an elite group of creators whose work helps define the sound of modern country music.
The honors arrive ahead of the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, where the spotlight will shine on the writers and artists responsible for many of the genre’s biggest successes. While performers often receive the public attention, events like this serve as a reminder that great songs begin with talented storytellers behind the scenes.
Both Green and Pendergrass have already earned recognition from their peers through other industry achievements, further cementing their standing within Nashville’s songwriting community. Their latest awards underscore not only personal success but also the continued influence of songwriting excellence in country music.
When the Nashville Songwriter Awards take place this September, the industry will gather to celebrate the creators whose words and melodies continue to shape the genre’s future. For Green and Pendergrass, the evening will provide another milestone in careers that are helping write the next chapter of country music.
