The 73rd annual Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Country Awards took place Nov. 18 in Nashville, honoring hitmaker Clint Black and the year’s top songwriters, publishers, and most-performed country songs.
The event, held at BMI’s Nashville office, recognized the top 50 most-performed country songs of the year. The evening was also dedicated to Clint Black, who received the esteemed BMI Icon Award for his impact on country music.
“Good evening welcome to the BMI Country Awards. Thank you all so much for being here,” said BMI President Mike O’Neill as he kicked off the night. “Thanks to you, country music is soaring from streaming, radio and beyond,” he added.
The Castellows stand for a photo on the red carpet during the 73rd BMI awards at BMI’s Nashville office in Nashville on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.
In addition to celebrating the songwriters behind 2025’s biggest country hits, attendees eagerly anticipated the presentation of three major awards– country song of the year, songwriter of the year, and publisher of the year.
Clint Black honored with BMI Icon Award
One of the most anticipated honors of the night was the presentation of Clint Black’s BMI Icon Award, which closed out the evening. The award recognized his legendary career as a singer, songwriter, and trailblazer in country. Since joining BMI in 1993, Black has earned 22 no. 1 singles, co-writing or writing them all. He also sold over 20 million albums.
It was a standout moment for the show, with several tribute performances entertaining the lively crowd before the grand finale of Black taking the stage. Naturally, he received a standing ovation as he stepped up to accept his award.
Clint Black stands for a photo on the red carpet during the 73rd BMI awards at BMI’s Nashville office in Nashville on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.
“After seeing all that tonight and seeing how many of my friends and fellow artists pitched in to make this special, it’s truly humbling. It’s unexpected, which makes it twice as good,” Black said addressing the crowd.
He added, “Standing up here in front of so many great songwriters tonight, I can tell you that it is the best job. For any of you who share the joy of pulling a song down out of the ether, you know what I’m talking about.”
He now joins a list of BMI Icons, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Stevie Nicks, Janet Jackson, and more. Some past icons were even in the crowd.
Charlie Handsome wins Country Songwriter of the Year
Atlanta-naive Charlie Handsome had a big night as he scored the country songwriter of the year award, which is presented to the songwriter who has the most songs awarded during the evening.
During his speech, he acknowledge the historic nature of the prize. “This is probably the first time a rap/hip hop producer won songwriter of the year in country,” he told the crowd.
Handsome has been credited on albums for some of the industry’s biggest artists such as Drake, Kanye West, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Post Malone, Morgan Wallen and more.
Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, and Jess Carson of Midland stand for a photo on the red carpet during the 73rd BMI awards at BMI’s Nashville office in Nashville on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.
‘I had some help’ crowned Country Song of the Year
“I Had Some Help,” performed by Malone and Morgan won Handsome another award as the tune was crowned Country Song of the Year at the show. The song dominated airplay and streaming charts after its release May 2024.
Warner secures another victory for Publisher of the Year
For the third year in a row, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.–a subsidiary of Warner Music Group–took home the Country publisher of the year Award. The award recognizes the music publisher that has had the greatest impact on country music over the past year, based on the success and performance of the songs it represents.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Clint Black, top creators honored a 73rd annual BMI Country Awards
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