Introduction:
The legendary country group Alabama was honoured at the 8th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, where they received the prestigious Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their enduring influence on songwriting and the country genre. On behalf of the band, Randy Owen accepted the accolade, with Teddy Gentry unable to attend and Jeff Cook being recognised posthumously—all three celebrated for their lasting impact.
The historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville was filled with music fans, industry professionals, songwriters, friends and family on Tuesday, September 23, as the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) hosted the annual ceremony.
This year, 42 songwriters were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to the craft. Created by NSAI, the annual Nashville Songwriter Awards once again spotlighted the talented creators behind the songs that captivate audiences worldwide. For the eighth consecutive year, presenting partner City National Bank helped bring the event to life.
The evening opened with a moving tribute to NSAI founding member Kris Kristofferson. Lukas Nelson took the stage to honour the iconic songwriter whose legacy gave his name to NSAI’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Later in the night, Kristofferson’s widow Lisa Kristofferson presented this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award to the 2025 honourees. Randy Owen of Alabama stepped onto the stage to collect the coveted trophy, marking a milestone moment in a career that has helped define country music across generations.
Reflecting on the meaning of this award, Owen shared:
“This award was a lifetime wish for me. As a songwriter, musician and singer, being honoured for our contributions as songwriters is the most welcome accomplishment in my world. The Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award from NSAI means more to me than I can put into words.”
The celebration continued with performances honouring Alabama’s iconic catalogue of hits. Gordon Mote delivered a medley of the band’s greatest songs, followed by Jason Aldean performing the classic “My Home’s In Alabama.” Lorrie Morgan also took the stage with a heartfelt rendition of “There’s No Way.” Together, the performances formed a moving musical ode to the band’s decades of influence on country music.
As always, the 8th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, presented by City National Bank, reaffirmed its mission to celebrate the people behind the songs. The night highlighted the creativity, passion and heart that go into writing the songs fans know and love. NSAI has confirmed that the event will return to the Ryman Auditorium next year for the 9th annual ceremony, set for September 22, 2026.