SESAC affiliates and CMA Award Winners Lee Brice and Jenee Fleenor were honored with trophies during the 54th Annual CMA Awards, held November 11, 2020 at the Music City Center in Nashville. This is Fleenor’s second consecutive win in the Musician of the Year category; she was honored for the first time in 2019 becoming the first woman to be both nominated and win in CMA Awards history. Brice received the CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year for his collaboration with Carly Pearce, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which became the sixth number one single of his career.

CMA nominee and SESAC affiliate Jimmie Allen performed his first No. 1 single “Best Shot,” which led into the moving tribute for Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride, who received the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The small audience quickly erupted with applause as the county music legend and Allen sang “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.”

Although the event had to be socially distanced with an audience of only honorees and performers, the night still delivered with powerful performances and touching speeches, bringing a light to the end of a difficult year.

Congratulations to all SESAC-affiliated CMA Award Winners and nominees. For a full list of winners, visit cmaawards.com.

Musical Event of the Year
Lee Brice
“I Hope You’re Happy Now”
with Carly Pearce

Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor

SESAC also celebrates affiliates who contributed to projects with CMA Award Winners:

Album of the Year
Wyatt B. Durrette III
For his contribution to
What You See Is What You Get recorded by Luke Combs

The post CMA Award Winners Recognized by SESAC appeared first on SESAC.

For a full list of the nominees, visit cmaawards.com.

New Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen

Musical Event of the Year
Lee Brice
“I Hope You’re Happy Now”
with Carly Pearce

Music Video of the Year
Lee Brice
“I Hope You’re Happy Now”
with Carly Pearce

Song of the Year
Wyatt B. Durrette III
“Even Though I’m Leaving” recorded by Luke Combs

Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor

Vocal Group of the Year
Hillary Scott of Lady A

SESAC also celebrates affiliates who contributed to projects having CMA Award Nominations:

Album of the Year
Jeremy Bussey and Nicolette Hayford

For their contribution to
Never Will recorded by Ashley McBride

Album of the Year
Wyatt B. Durrette III

For his contribution to
What You See Is What You Get recorded by Luke Combs

The post SESAC Celebrates 2020 CMA Award Nominations appeared first on SESAC.

The 55th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live Sunday, April 5 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on CBS. Reigning ACM® Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban will host Country Music’s Party of the Year® for the first time.

For a full list of nominees, visit acmcountry.com.

SESAC ACM Award Nominations are as follows:

Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum

Single of the Year
“Rumor” – Lee Brice
“What If I Never Get Over You” – Lady Antebellum

Song of the Year
Jeremy Bussey
Universal Tunes
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” recorded by Ashley McBryde

Guitar Player of the Year
Adam Shoenfeld

Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year
Jenee Fleenor

Congratulations to all SESAC affiliates who contributed to projects with ACM Award Nominations:

Album of the Year
Wyatt Durrette III
For his contribution to
What You See Is What You Get recorded by Luke Combs

More info on ACM Award Nominations at https://www.acmcountry.com/noms

The post SESAC Celebrates 2020 ACM Award Nominations appeared first on SESAC.

Full lineup below:

11:00a – 11:25a Nora Collins
11:35a – 12:00p Kelly McGrath
12:10p – 12:35p Jenny Tolman
12:45p – 1:10p Blanco Brown
1:20p – 1:45p Spencer Crandall
1:55p – 2:20p Scott Stevens
2:30p – 2:55p Tom O’Connor
3:05p – 3:30p Erin Enderlin
3:40p – 4:05p Aaron Goodvin
4:15p – 4:40p Jake Rose

In addition, check out some of SESAC’s most talented artists and songwriters at CMA Fest 2019:

Jimmie Allen
June 6, HGTV Lodge (12pm)
June 6, Riverfront Stage (3:45pm)
June 6, Country Roads Stage @ Ascend (8:55pm)
June 9, National Anthem – Nissan Stadium (7:40pm)

Lee Brice
June 6, Riverfront Stage (11:15am)

Blanco Brown
June 6, Country Roads Stage @ Ascend (9:40pm)
June 8, Spotify Hot Country @ Ole Red (12:35am)

Blue Honey
June 7, CMA Spotlight Stage (10am)

Dillon Carmichael
June 8, Spotify Hot Country @ Ole Red (2pm)
June 9, Chevy Breakout Stage (1:50pm)

John Carter Cash
June 9, Forever Country Stage (2:45pm)

King Calaway
June 6, HGTV Lodge (1pm)
June 6, Country Roads Stage @ Ascend (6:50pm)
June 7, Spotify Hot Country @ Ole Red (12:20pm)
June 8, Maui Jim Broadway Stage (1:25pm)

Peter Cooper
June 6, CMA Close Up Stage – panel host (1:15pm)

Caroline Hobby
June 8, CMA Close Up Stage (2pm)

Muscadine Bloodline
June 7, Chevy Breakout Stage (2:30pm)

Laura Oakes
June 6, CMA Spotlight Stage (11:30am)

Tyler Rich
June 6, Concert for Love & Acceptance @ Wildhorse Saloon (7:45pm)
June 9, Riverfront Stage (11:30am)
June 9, HGTV Lodge (1pm)

Emily Ann Roberts
June 9, Spotify Hot Country @ Ole Red (5:30pm)

Runaway June
June 6, Riverfront Stage (12pm)
June 6, Country Roads Stage @ Ascend (7:15pm)
June 8, Radio Disney Country Stage (2pm)
June 8, National Anthem – Nissan Stadium (7:05pm)

Dylan Scott
June 6, Spotify Hot Country @ Ole Red (6:30pm)
June 7, Riverfront Stage (10:45am)

Seaforth
June 7, Chevy Breakout Stage (11:50am)
June 8, Spotify Hot Country @ Ole Red (12:20pm)

Smithfield
June 8, Chevy Breakout Stage (3:50pm)
June 9, Radio Disney Country Stage (2pm)

Thompson Square
June 7, Forever Country Stage (3:30pm)

Mark Wills
June 6, Forever Country Stage (11am)

Aubrey Wollett
June 6, CMA Spotlight Stage (10:30am)
June 7, Hard Rock Café (11:45am)

The post SESAC Takes Over CMA Fest Stage appeared first on SESAC.

August 28, 2018 (Nashville, Tenn.) — Last night Lee Brice hosted the second of his three-show “Lee Brice Presents: The Analog Series” with special guests Liz Rose, Victoria Shaw and Maddie & Tae. The event, emceed by Amy Paige of 97.9 The Big 98, raised funds for local charity Thistle Farms. “I was introduced to music by my mom and her sisters. There’s not a time I don’t remember them singing Gospel songs; they even came to Nashville when they were teenagers to record a Gospel album. They all had an artistic influence on me, though it was my Aunt Henrietta specifically, who embodied a soulfulness that still informs my music today,” shares Lee.

“I’m so grateful for the influence of these women in my life. They’re like family to me,” he adds. “Every one of these Analog shows has a meaningful theme. With this show in particular, I wanted to shine a bright light onto the incredible artistry brought to Country music by so many women, and honor their fearless, pioneering spirits and creative contributions. To say I was honored to be on stage with Liz Rose, Victoria Shaw and Maddie & Tae last night is an understatement. Their talent is just mind-blowing.”

Jennifer Clinger of Thistle Farms was on hand at the event to share her story and thank the audience and artists for their support on behalf of Thistle Farms and the women it serves.

The third and final show in the series — which has already sold out — will take place Monday, October 1 when Lee and several friends pay tribute to Route 91 Festival’s one-year anniversary.

SESAC serves as the official sponsor of the Analog Series, along with the venue itself, Analog At Hutton Hotel.

Follow Lee Brice here:
Official Website: leebrice.com
Facebook: facebook.com/leebricemusic
Twitter: twitter.com/leebrice
Instagram: instagram.com/leebrice
YouTube: youtube.com/user/leebricemusic

The post Lee Brice Honors Women of Country Alongside Liz Rose, Victoria Shaw, Maddie & Tae appeared first on SESAC.

A
It’s not something I can say I chose, because it truly chose me. It’s just another language form for me; it has always been that way. When I write, I hear layers of music as if it’s a symphony in my head. The lyrics happen the same way. So there was never a question about what I’d do for a career.

Q
What do you love most about being a songwriter?

A
I love the process, and then I love seeing listeners react to something they relate to — something that moves them when they sing along. That’s a gift unlike any other.

Q
Was there a particular challenge that sticks out in your memory that you had to overcome to reach your level of success?  How did you do it?

A
There were those times early in my career when I felt like I was on a treadmill, but I always saw my dream as if it was happening in the present time. I never gave up on it. I always believed it would happen for me and I never stopped writing and working hard for it.

Q
How has being a part of SESAC impacted you/or your career?

A
With SESAC, I have a partner who has my best interests in mind. I have a team that’s driving the ball forward with every asset they have at their disposal. They amplify what I do creatively, and that’s irreplaceable.

Q
What influences have shaped the way you approach and create music today?

A
I’ve got a lot of musical heroes — one I mention quite often is Garth Brooks.  His encouragement has been incredible.  I also have a great family who encourages what I do and how I do it. Also, as much as I’ve worked on my craft, I’ve always followed my heart. I can’t stress that enough — no matter what the trends are, always be you. Follow your heart.

Q
What inspires you to begin writing a song?

A
Usually it’s a moment or something that I see in everyday life. I make note of it in my phone to visit later or sometimes, it’ll stop me in my tracks and a full song will just pour out. It’s different every day and sometimes those muses sneak up on you so you’ve always got to be ready to listen.

The post A few moments with SESAC Affiliate Lee Brice appeared first on SESAC.