ALABAMA Honored With Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award At Nashville Songwriter Awards

The legendary country band, ALABAMA, was recently celebrated at the 8th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards with the prestigious Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing their decades-long impact on songwriting and the genre. Randy Owen accepted the honor on behalf of the band, with Teddy Gentry unable to attend and Jeff Cook recognized posthumously as all three were celebrated for their lasting impact.

The historic Ryman Auditorium was filled with music fans, industry members, songwriters, friends, and family on Tuesday, September 23, as the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) hosted the annual event.

This year, 42 songwriters were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the craft. Created by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the annual Nashville Songwriter Awards once again shined a spotlight on the talented creators behind the songs that captivate audiences worldwide. For the eighth consecutive year, the 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 honor the legendary songwriter who inspired the namesake to NSAI’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Later on in the night, Kristofferson’s wife, Lisa Kristofferson was on hand to honor her late husband as she presented this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award to 2025 honorees. The group’s Randy Owen stepped on stage to collect the coveted trophy, marking a milestone moment in a career that has helped define country music for generations.

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Reflecting on the meaning behind this award, Owen shared, “This award was a lifetime wish for me. As a songwriter, musician and singer, being honored 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 more performances honoring ALABAMA’s iconic career of hits. Gordon Mote delivered a medley of the band’s biggest hits, followed by Jason Aldean who performed the classic “My Home’s In Alabama.” Lorrie Morgan also took the stage to pay tribute with her heartfelt rendition of “There’s No Way.” Together, the performances offered 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, committed to its mission to celebrate the people behind the songs. The night highlighted the creativity, passion, and heart that go into writing the songs that fans all know and love. NSAI’s annual awards will bring the event back to the Ryman Auditorium next year for the 9th annual ceremony, set to take place on September 22, 2026.