Why is Nashville called Music City? The history of the nickname.
Nashville earned its nickname after decades and decades of musical pursuits.
On Nov. 2, the 11th annual Josie Music Awards (the JMAs) returned to Music City.
Honoring the best in the independent music industry across all genres, the JMAs handed out 244 total awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
The JMAs, the largest independent music award show in the world, were created by mother-daughter duo Josie Passantino-Boone and Tinamarie Passantino in 2015.
The pair wanted to create a space for independent music artists, songwriters and industry professionals to gather and celebrate their work.
The night’s top award, the lifetime career achievement honor, went to Lorrie Morgan.
The 66-year-old country singer, a top country stars of the ’90s, is known for her hits “Five Minutes,” “What Part of No,” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”.
Morgan’s son Jesse Keith Whitley presented her the honor before she hit the stage to perform “A Picture of Me (Without You).”
Another one of the night’s top honors, the songwriter legend award, went to Steve Dorff, a songwriter who has written over 20 top 10 pop and country hits.
He was presented the award by John Berry and Bobby Tomberlin.
To see the night’s full winners list, read on.
2025 Josie Music Award WinnersLifetime Career Achievement: Lorrie Morgan Songwriter Legend Award: Steve Dorff JMA Icon Award: EG Daily The JMA Tex Ritter Award: The Malpass Brothers Entertainer of the Year – Artist: JD Shelburne Entertainer of the Year – Duo/Group: The Almas Artist of the Year – Multi-Genre Male: Chad Johnson Artist of the Year – Rock: Jasmine Cain Artist of the Year – Country Female: EmiSunshine Artist of the Year – Modern/Pop Country Female: McKayla Prew Artist of the Year – Outlaw Country: Josh Davis Artist of the Year – R&B/Soul: Shylah Ray Artist of the Year – Americana/Folk Male: Brian Allison Artist of the Year – Southern Rock/Country Rock Female: Krystal King Artist of the Year – Southern Rock/Country Rock Male: Brooks Herring Artist of the Year – Under 18 Alumni: Tege Holt Artist of the Year – Under 18: Tristan Roberson Artist of the Year – Pop Rock: Tim Ringer Artist of the Year – Americana/Folk Female: Samantha Grimes Artist of the Year – Gospel/Christian/Inspirational: Shellem Cline Artist of the Year – Jazz/Blues: Travis Bowlin Artist of the Year – Multi-Genre Female: Clare Cunningham Artist of the Year – Country Male: Waylon Hanel Artist of the Year – Country Male Alumni: Chad Bushnell Artist of the Year – Modern/Pop Country Male: Jake Bradley Artist of the Year – Traditional/Classic Country: B.J. Jamison Artist of the Year – Pop/Dance/Contemporary: Alyssa Jacey World Artist of the Year: Love Itoya Rising Star of the Year Female: Robyn Ashley Rising Star of the Year Male: Garrett Huffman Rising Star of the Year – Modern Country/Pop Country Female: Jacki Daniels Rising Star of the Year – Country Female: Ashley Brooks Rising Star of the Year – Country Male: Kevin Thomas Rising Star of the Year – Country Mix Male: Travis Reigh Emergent Artist of the Year: John Eason Emergent Artist of the Year – Country Female: Presley Puig Emergent Artist of the Year – Country Male: Caden Wilson Duo of the Year – Americana: Sugarcane Jane Duo of the Year – Country: Cliff & Susan Group of the Year – Country: Matt Tejeda and The Backwoods Band Group of the Year – Multi-Genre: Crooked Eye Tommy Group of the Year – Bluegrass: Carolina Bluegrass Style Group of the Year – Americana: Andrew Moore and Hooch Group of the Year – Hard Rock/Metal: Lost Circus Duo of the Year – Multi-Genre: Harmony Holler Duo/Group of the Year – Gospel: Riven Group of the Year – Country/Rock: The Jess Zimmerman Band Group of the Year – Southern Rock: Greye Group of the Year – Outlaw Country: Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders Group of the Year – Blues: King Bee & The Stingers Group of the Year – Alternative/Indie/Pop Rock: Defeated Group of the Year – Rock: The Goldy LockS Band Vocal Event of the Year – Male/Female Collaboration: Kirstie Kraus, Mike Nash “Largo” Vocal Event of the Year: Andrew Chappell and Dave Nudo “I’m All In” Vocalist of the Year – Multi-Genre Female: Abbie Thomas Vocalist of the Year – Multi-Genre Male: Chase Bush Vocalist of the Year – R&B/Soul: Teri Tobin Vocalist of the Year – Jazz/Blues: Lauren Anderson Vocalist of the Year – Americana/Folk Female: Jayna Jennings Vocalist of the Year – Americana/Folk Male: Jimmy Bowen Vocalist of the Year – Outlaw: Danny Spiro Vocalist of the Year – Rock/Metal Male: Chris O’Brien Vocalist of the Year – Modern Country Male Alumni: Barefoot Joe Vocalist of the Year – Modern Country: Kevin Wolff Vocalist of the Year – Country Female Alumni I: Carrie Brockwell Vocalist of the Year – Country Male Alumni I: Rob Cole \Vocalist of the Year – Country Male I: Travis Thamert Vocalist of the Year – Under 18 Alumni: Robert Levey II Vocalist of the Year – Under 18: Zoey Rae Vocalist of the Year – Pop: Jack Austin Vocalist of the Year – Pop/Rock: River Gibson Vocalist of the Year – Adult Contemporary: Lacy Miller Vocalist of the Year – Gospel/Christian/Inspirational Female: Cece Manuela Vocalist of the Year – Gospel/Christian/Inspirational Male: Whitlee Casey Vocalist of the Year – Bluegrass: Tianna Lefebvre Vocalist of the Year – Country Rock/Southern Rock Male: Scott Boyd Vocalist of the Year – Country Rock/Southern Rock Female: Tobi Lee Vocalist of the Year – Rock/Metal Female: Chelsea Calloway Vocalist of the Year – Modern Country Female Alumni: Christine Radlmann Vocalist of the Year – Traditional/Classic Country: Eric Diamond Vocalist of the Year – Country Female I: Lucie Tiger Vocalist of the Year – Country Female II: Audra McLaughlin Vocalist of the Year – Country Male II: Cody Glenn Cox Vocalist of the Year – Country Female Alumni II: Jenny Grace Vocalist of the Year – Country Male Alumni II: Caleb Kelley Songwriter of the Year – Personal Portfolio Female Alumni: Erin Stoll Songwriter of the Year – Personal Portfolio Female: Ashley Jordan Songwriter of the Year – Personal Portfolio Male Alumni: Andru Jamison Songwriter of the Year: Corey Lee Barker Songwriter of the Year – Personal & Pitching Portfolio Female: Sheri Swartz Songwriter of the Year – Personal Portfolio Male: Aaron Hymes Songwriter of the Year – Personal & Pitching Portfolio Male: Brad McKinney Story-Enhanced Performance Video of the Year: “If I Sin For You?” Celeste Marie Wilson Story-Enhanced Performance Video of the Year Male: “Mama Never Liked The Rodeo,” Eric Lee Beddingfield Story Enhanced Performance Video of the Year Duo/Group/Collabs: “I Didn’t Know,” The Goldy LockS Band Feat. Mickie James & The Lacs Music Video of the Year Performance Focused Duo/Group: “The Will,” Nu-Blu Music Video of the Year Performance Focused Female: “The Bitter End,” Brenda Best Music Video of the Year Performance Focused Male: “Damn Good Time,” Jordan Moore Social Impact Video of the Year Duo/Group/Collab: “High Heel On The Pedal,” Ashlie Amber Feat. Velvet Rodeo Social Impact Video of the Year Male: “I’m Sorry,” Chuck Thomas Social Impact Video of the Year Female: “Stardust,” Shy Blossom Expressive Verse Video of the Year: “Make Canada Great Again,” Rudy Gunn Music Video of the Year Duo/Group/Collab: “Taste The Whiskey, ” Eric Lee Beddingfield with Jesse Keith Whitley Music Video of the Year Female: “Gunfire,” Remington Mae Music Video of the Year Male: “Wishing Well,” Louie Lee” Music and Video Projects Children’s: “Baby Ninja,” Kelli Welli Music Video of the Year Female Alumni: “Mind Your Own Backyard,” Krystal King Music Video of the Year Male Alumni: “White Trash Like Me,” Joey Ferris Artist/Duo/Group of the Year Children’s: Kathryn the Grape Musician of the Year – Banjo: Dustin Terpenning Musician of the Year – Brass/Woodwind: Evangelos Carydakis (Saxophone) Multi-Instrumentalist – Musician of the Year: EJ Edward Ouellette Musician of the Year – Strings: Kyle Roop (Pedal Steel) Musician of the Year – Bass: Charlie Frie Musician of the Year – Keys: MarQ Andrew Speck Musician of the Year – Piano: Dr. Tedrin Blair Lindsay Musician of the Year – Piano/Keys Alumni: Ed Bazel Musician of the Year – Drums/Percussion: Squeak Melusky Musician of the Year – Drums/Percussion Alumni: AJ Newton Musician of the Year – Guitar I: David Jones Musician of the Year – Guitar II: Terence Young Musician of the Year – Guitar III: Damon Mitchell Social Impact – Song of the Year Female: ”Forever 13,” Khloe Grace Social Impact Song of the Year – Female Alumni: “The Sacrifice,” Alyssa Ruffin Social Impact Song of the Year – Male: “Buy Me A Memory,” Chet Lawrence Social Impact Song of the Year: “Stand,” Kathryn Shipley, Lee Newton, Nita Perez, Dimitris Nezis, Holly Fischer, Frank Fasano, Phil Kanakis Holiday Song of the Year: “Cause It’s Christmas,” Revele and Family Song of the Year – Bluegrass: “Light In My Life,” Jackson Hollow Song of the Year Alumni – Christian/Gospel/Inspirational: “Wonderful Work,” Jason Lee McKinney Band Song of the Year – Gospel/Christian/Inspirational: “Glory To God,” Woodshed Revival Song of the Year – Rock/Alt Rock/Metal: “Walk All Over Me,” Brett Ryder Song of the Year – Rock/Alt Rock/Metal Individual Alumni: “Ghost,” Spencer Ezell Song of the Year – Rock/Alt Rock/Metal Duo/Group Alumni: “Lifeline,” The Almas Song of the Year – Southern Rock/Country Rock Alumni: “Not Ready,” Jake Nelson Song of the Year – Southern Rock/Country Rock: “Dead Man Running,” Drifted Harmony Song of the Year – Pop/Rock: “Forever,” The Swansons Song of the Year – Folk: “Sweet Mountain Music,” Them Lasses Song of the Year – Americana Female: “Hercules,” Sam Hatmaker Feat. EmiSunshine Song of the Year – Americana Male: “Worth Breaking,” Brian Allison Song of the Year – Americana Duo/Group/Collab: “Pretty Lights of Denver,” Weary Ramblers Song of the Year – Outlaw: “Time To Say Goodbye,” Blackwood Mojo Song of the Year – World/New Age World: “Smile,” Cecy Santana Song of the Year – Instrumental: “Tyrone Blues,” D Boone Pittman Song of the Year – Multi-Genre: “Heaven’s Front Porch,” Flatline Song of the Year – Pop/Adult Contemporary: “When I’m With You,” Faith Lee Song of the Year – Pop Alumni I: “Love You More and More,” Kim Cameron Darick DDS Spears Song of the Year – Jazz/Blues: “Just Walk Away,” Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers Song of the Year – R&B/Soul: “Send Me Love,” Markey Blue Song of the Year – Hip Hop: “My Heart,” Irene Michaels Feat. Twizm Whyte Piece Song of the Year – Traditional/Classic Country Male: “Don’t Forget, Remember Me,” Webb Dalton Song of the Year Traditional/Classic Country Female: “That’s The Way Love Goes,” Paula Buchanan Song of the Year Country Female Alumni: “I told Her For Him,” Rylee Austin Song of the Year – Country Female I: “Nashville Don’t Forget Me,” Elisa Smith Song of the Year – Country Male Alumni I: “Can’t Be Roped,” Sam Stinson Song of the Year Country Male I: “Sundown In A Small Town,” Shawn Richards Song of the Year Country Male III: “Song On The Radio,” Elliott Booe Song of the Year – Country Female II: “Hate To Lie,” Lara Bell Song of the Year – Country Male Alumni II: “Sweet Home Tennessee,” Robert Abernathy Song of the Year – Country Male II: “Make It To Nashville,” Trey Bryant Song of the Year – Country Duo/Group/Collab: “Lives In The Whiskey,” Roseland Song of the Year – Modern Country/Pop Country Male: “Don’t Wanna See The Rain,” Clinton Wilkie Song of the Year – Modern Country/Pop Country Male Alumni: “Whatcha Gonna Do,” Brandon Lowe Song of the Year Modern Country/Pop Country Female Alumni: “Mr. Wallen,” Ashlyn Greene Song of the Year Modern Country/Pop Country Female: “Forgot Your Name,” McKenna Faith Winters Song of the Year – Children’s Music: “It’s Ok To Make Mistakes,” Irene Rose Album of the Year – Rock/Hard Rock/Alt Rock/Metal: “Attitude Is Everything,” Jasmine Cain Album of the Year – Pop/Contemporary/Dance: “Unbridled Angel,” Aaron Sidwell Album of the Year – Americana/Folk: “Not What I Do,” Laura Sawosko Album/EP of the Year – Instrumental: “Christmas Romance Instrumentals,” Corey Lee Barker Album/EP of the Year – Holiday: “That’s What Christmas Means To Me,” Robert Bacon EP/Album of the Year – Multi-Genre: “Not Gonna Lie,” Abbie Thomas Album/EP of the Year – Jazz/Blues: “Live From The Slippery Noodle,” King Bee & The Stingers Album/EP of the Year – Traditional/Classic Country: “Homesick,” Lee Newton Album of the Year – Country: “Pushing Borders,” Matt Castillo Album of the Year – Country (Mixed Genre Sound): “When It’s All Said And Done,” Danny Terrell EP of the Year – Rock: “Obscura,” Brando Vanschoyck Album/EP of the Year – Christian/Gospel/Inspirational: “Room With A View,” Brandon Hixson EP of the Year – Pop/Contemporary: “Elements,” CheraLee EP of the Year – Folk/Americana: “Casualties of a Life Well Lived,” Ashley Jordan EP of the Year – Country: “Under The Neon,” Dusty Moats Best Stage Performance: Mr. Talkbox Tribute Band of the Year: Olivia Mojica Blank Space Tribute – A Tribute to Taylor Swift Tribute Artist of the Year Female: Ashlie Amber Harris – Tribute to Whitney Houston Tribute Artist of the Year Male/Country: Keith Ormrod – Tribute to Kenny Chesney Tribute Artist of the Year Male: Don Suiters (Kid Kentucky) – Tribute to Kid Rock Record Label of the Year: Clarksville Sound PR/Promotion Company: 2911 Media Music Venue of the Year: Ranchman’s (Calgary, Canada) Magazine of the Year: Cashbox Magazine Television Show/Station of the Year: American Country Network Podcast/Music Radio Show: Overtones LIVE Presented by Listen Locally Studio/Production Company of the Year: TuneDesigner Artist Management Company of the Year: Midwest Artist Group Solo Artist Representative of the Year: DLS Music Live Show Productions of the Year: The Coyote Store Photographer of the Year: Janet Reynolds Photography Music Business of the Year: Kincaid-Gooch Voice Studio Radio Station of the Year: Sterling Country Radio Music Producer of the Year: Dr. Ted Olson Fan’s Choice Female: Macy Tabor Fan’s Choice Female: EV Mae Fan’s Choice Male: David Krantz Fan’s Choice Male: Adam Calvert Fan’s Choice Duo/Group: Kentucky Just Us Fan’s Choice Duo/Group: Matt Clarkson Band Best Actress in A Music Video: Krystal King, “Mind Your Own Backyard” Best Actress in A Music Video: Megan Vanlandingham, “Heaven’s Front Porch” Best Actor in A Music Video: Howie Garoutte, “Why Am I Here” Best Actor in A Music Video: Country Kid Nikko, “Wishing Well” Vocal Competition Winner At “Passantino’s”: Gio Humanitarian Organization of the Year: Wings of Rescue
Songwriter Achievement Winners:
“She Is Talking With Her Eyes” – Paul Overstreet, Rory Feek “Midnights” – Thornton Cline, Sassy VeZay, Michael Jay “Good To Be Blessed” – Corey Lee Barker, Loretta Jent “Bad Chemistry” – Austin McKedy, Tracie McKedy, Mackynsie McKedy “Higher” – Danny Kensy “Right Mind at the Wrong Time” – Brad Morgan, Royce Johns “Fly” – Kelsie Kratins “Here’s to the Man in Red” – Cara Paige, Justine Blazer, Corey Lee Barker “Honky-Tonk Withdrawal” – John Bielecki, Brandon Maddox “Enlightenment” – Erin Sliney
To learn more about the Josie Music Awards, head to josiemusicawards.com.
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.