Megan Moroney, Jaron Boyer, Warner Chappell Music Among Top Winners at Nashville's SESAC Music Awards

Megan Moroney, Jaron Boyer and Warren Zeiders' “Pretty Little Poison” were among the night's big winners at SESAC Performing Rights' annual Nashville Music Awards on Sunday night (November 17), as Country Music's annual CMA Week kicked off with the first of a trio of parties thrown by performing rights organizations to honor the songwriters and music publishers of many of the year's most-performed country songs.

More than 400 members, Nashville's elite songwriters, publishers and other members of the industry gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame Sunday night to honor the SESAC writers behind not only top country songs, but top Americana songs as well. , such as Sierra Ferrell's “American Dreaming” and The Avett Brothers' “Orion's Belt” during the glitzy shindig.

SESAC Sr. Vice President/Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch hosted the evening along with Senior Directors, Creative Services ET Brown and Lydia Cahill. The event was sponsored in part by Hatef Aesthetics, Bombas, Brumate, CRVFT, Cymbiotika, Dr. Bronner's, Eboost, Herban Essentials, Little Secrets, Monopoly, Olaplex, Osea, Pause and Solawave.

Earlier in the evening, Megan Moroney performed the title track from her second album, am i okbefore later being honored with the SESAC spotlight award, honoring not only her work on resonant songs like “I'm Not Pretty” and “Indifferent,” but her myriad accomplishments over the past year, including her album release and three CMA Award nominations heading into Wednesday night's CMA Awards (including a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year).

“There is nothing more satisfying than writing songs. Thank you SESAC for taking care of songwriters,” Moroney said in accepting the honor.

Boyer was named SESAC's Songwriter of the Year for his hits including Jason Aldean's “Let Your Boys Be Country” and George Birge's “Mind on You.” He was honored with a custom Gibson guitar as well as a custom ring from Jostens.

“Thank you, Jesus … without him none of us would be here,” Boyer said. “I almost retired from songwriting a few years ago. I had some good friends who… pushed me to keep writing songs and here we go. I don't know what else to say… thank you.”

SESAC Song of the Year went to “Pretty Little Poison” by Warren Zeiders, written by Jared Keim. Zeiders joined co-writers Keim and Ryan Beaver to deliver a soulful rendition of the song.

The SESAC Publisher of the Year honor was awarded to Warner Chappell Music, after the publisher won several honors during the evening.

Check out the full list of the night's honored songs below:

“Pretty Little Poison”
Written by Jared Keim
Published by Warner Chappell Music, Twelve6 Sequoia
Recorded by Warren Zeiders

“We don't fight anymore”
Written by Pete Good
Published by Warner Chappell Music, King Pen Songs, SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton

“With your mind”
Written by Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler
Published by Marlowe Sinclaire Songs, MTNoize, peertunes LTD, Melodies of CTM Outlander
Recorded by George Birge

“Tucson Too Late”
Written by Josh Jenkins
Follow Me Where I Go Edition, SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by Jordan Davis

“Let Your Boys Be Country”
Written by Allison Veltz Cruz, Jaron Boyer
Published by Allison Veltz Sensations, Marlowe Sinclaire Songs, Hipgnosis Tunes, peertunes LTD, Songs of Porterfied Music
Recorded by Jason Aldean

“I love you again”
Written by Casey Brown
Track & Feels Publications, Warner Chappell Music, Tape Room Tunes
Recorded by Chase Matthew

“Creek Will Rise”
Written by Chris LaCorte
Published by Card Tables Music, Concord Tunes, Hang Your Hat Hits
Recorded by Conner Smith

“I'm not beautiful”
Written by Megan Moroney
Georgiamo Edition, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by Megan Moroney

“Indifferent”
Written by Megan Moroney
Georgiamo Edition, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by Megan Moroney

“I can't have mine”
Written by Matt Alderman
Aldysongs Edition, Curb Congregation Songs
Recorded by Dylan Scott

“Glory Days”
Written by Seth Mosley
Published by M & M College Fund, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by Gabby Barrett

“Wine Into Whiskey”
Written by Justin Ebach
Published by El Chapo Music
Recorded by Tucker Wetmore

“Heartless Year”
Written by Ed Jurdi, Gordy Quist
Three Pisces Music Publications, Vitrolacaster Music
Recorded by The Band of Heathens

“Fox Hunt”
Written by Sierra Ferrell
Published by Abel Elba, Pulse Worldwide
Recorded by Sierra Ferrell

“Good Together”
Written by Rachael Price
Published by Warner Chappell Music, 17 Lake Street Music
Recorded by Lake Street Dive

“Love of a Girl”
Written by Seth Avett, Scott Avett, Bob Crawford
Published by First Big Snow Publishing, NemoIVMusic, Truth Comes True Publishing, Ramseur Family Fold Music
Recorded by The Avett Brothers

“American Dreaming”
Written by Sierra Ferrell
Published by Abel Elba, Pulse Worldwide
Recorded by Sierra Ferrell

“Orion's Belt”
Written by Seth Avett, Scott Avett, Bob Crawford
Published by First Big Snow Publishing, NemoIVMusic, Truth Comes True Publishing, Ramseur Family Fold Music
Recorded by The Avett Brothers