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

Country music legends ALABAMA were celebrated in grand fashion at the 8th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, receiving the prestigious Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award for their incredible impact on country music and songwriting over the past five decades.

The event took place on Tuesday, September 23, at the historic Ryman Auditorium, where industry members, songwriters, and fans gathered to honor the artists and writers who have shaped the soundtrack of country music.

 A Lifetime of Music and Legacy

ALABAMA’s Teddy Gentry was on hand to accept the award, representing bandmates Randy Owen and the late Jeff Cook, who were also recognized for their lasting contributions to the group’s extraordinary legacy.

Reflecting on the honor, Gentry shared a heartfelt message with the crowd:

“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.”

A Night of Music and Memories

The evening opened with a touching tribute to Kris Kristofferson, the award’s namesake and a founding member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).
Lukas Nelson took the stage with a moving performance in Kristofferson’s honor, while Lisa Kristofferson, Kris’s wife, presented this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award to ALABAMA.

Throughout the night, the audience was treated to emotional performances celebrating ALABAMA’s legacy:

• Gordon Mote performed a medley of the band’s greatest hits.

• Jason Aldean paid tribute with a powerful rendition of “My Home’s in Alabama.”

• Lorrie Morgan delivered a heartfelt performance of “There’s No Way.”

Each performance served as a musical love letter to ALABAMA’s timeless influence on generations of artists and fans.

 

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A Celebration of Songwriting

In addition to ALABAMA’s honor, the Nashville Songwriter Awards recognized 42 talented songwriters for their creative contributions to country music. For the eighth consecutive year, City National Bank partnered with NSAI to help bring this inspiring event to life.

The night was a reminder of why songwriting remains the beating heart of Nashville — celebrating the words, melodies, and emotions that unite millions of listeners around the world.

Congratulations to ALABAMA on receiving the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award — a well-deserved tribute to a band whose music, harmony, and heart helped define country music itself.