Although Nashville has gone through an era of immense growth and transformation in recent years, the city is still home to one of the most closely knit and supportive creative communities in music. That warm, welcoming environment was at the heart of the 2024 Nashville Chapter Nominee Celebration on Jan. 24.
The star-studded, three-hour event brought rising acts, mainstream hitmakers, legendary songwriters, and more creatives to downtown Nashville to celebrate the Recording Academy's Nashville Chapter 2024 GRAMMYs nominees. This year, the Chapter — whose membership expands to Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina — celebrates 94 nominees across 41 Categories. Several of them celebrated their first nominations this year, including Contemporary Christian singer Blessing Offor.
"I literally squealed and threw my phone across the room because I thought to myself, 'This must be what losing your mind feels like. Did they really say my name twice?'" Offor, who received nominations for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (My Tribe) and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song ("Believe"), told GRAMMY.com on the red carpet. "And they really did! So it was initially utter disbelief and then a lot of freaking out and calling my friends."
Two-time GRAMMY-winning string band Old Crow Medicine Show earned their third nomination this year, for Best Folk Album for their eighth studio album, Jubilee. Frontman Ketch Secor credits the band's adopted hometown with supplying an environment that helps foster acts trying to craft their own unique sounds and styles.
"Nashville has opened its arms wider than ever before to embrace the folks who aren't mainstream performers and lift them up," he says. "We've found a place here, and by doing so, we've opened the door that much wider so that other artists who don't fit into the mainstream definition of country music can also grab a toehold in Music City."
Breakout country star Lainey Wilson, another first-time GRAMMY nominee in 2024, also shared her love for the city and the bonds she's built with fellow creatives as they've built their careers in Nashville.
"I've been in Nashville for 13 years, and I've traveled to other places and made music, but this is my family here," Wilson shared. "I could call these people if I was broken down on the side of the road, and they'd come pick me up. I think it's a lot to do with you sharing the same interest, and we all have that deep fire in our soul and love for country music."
Along with a nomination in the Best Country Album category for her fourth album, Bell Bottom Country, the Louisiana-born singer/songwriter is also in the running for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Save Me," her hit collaboration with fellow cross-genre breakout Jelly Roll.
The powerful track's success marked a full-circle moment for Wilson, who served as an extra in the Best New Artist nominee's music video years before they became labelmates and duet partners (and back when Jelly Roll was still a rapper).
"He just seemed like a good old country boy and just had a heart of gold," Wilson shares of her first impressions of Jelly Roll. "This song means so much. I'm proud of him and proud to be a strong part of his unique story."
Although Jessie Jo Dillon has earned multiple GRAMMY nominations throughout her career, this year's celebrations were especially sweet for the accomplished songsmith. For the first time, Dillon is up for Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical, alongside her longtime friend and creative collaborator Shane McAnally, who she lovingly calls her "brother".
"When they said [Shane's] name, it was so special because he and Brandy Clark [were some] of the first people that really believed in me," she says, becoming emotional as she recalled the moment the Category's nominees were unveiled. "I don't want to cry, but when I talk about being nominated with [Brandy] for 'Buried' and then alongside him, it just feels so crazy."
Dillon says that sense of connection and shared admiration runs deep within the city's ever-growing crop of musical talent.
"It's just a special community. Things are competitive, but everyone really supports each other. I got so many texts and phone calls. Hillary Lindsey, who is someone I've looked up to forever, called crying and said, 'I'm so proud of you.'"
Dillon is the only woman nominated for Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical at the 2024 GRAMMYs. The recognition of her work — which includes writing credits on tracks by Clark, Lori McKenna, and Megan Moroney — feels especially timely. (Clark, a fellow Nashville Chapter member, is nominated six times herself this year, two of which are for "Buried".)
"It feels damn good to represent women in country music because they are rocking right now, and I think it's time they deserve more radio play and recognition," Dillon says. "I'm glad one of us got in there, and I feel lucky it's me."
Dillon and McAnally were the highlighted honorees of the night's program, which simultaneously spotlighted women who are forging their own path in the genre. First up was charismatic sister duo Tigirlily Gold, who paused to share their appreciation for McAnally — a longtime supporter of the pair who helped them ink their deal with Monument Records in 2021 — before singing a harmony-driven version of his Old Dominion's "I Should've Married You," which McAnally co-wrote and co-produced. They followed the tribute with a hit of their own, the playful drinking song "Shoot Tequila," which McAnally also co-produced.
(L-R): Kristian Bush and Megan Moroney | Ed Rode/Getty Images
Though Moroney performed two of her own tracks, both were an ode to Dillon: "Girl in the Mirror," a heartfelt ballad they co-wrote with Matt Jenkins. "Jessie Jo is one of those songwriters that every session is a trauma dump," Moroney laughed before her acoustic rendition of the song.
The Georgia native — who first made waves in country music with her hit 2022 debut single "Tennessee Orange" — then delivered a poignant performance of brand new single, "No Caller ID," also co-written by Dillon. Moroney's set also celebrated another important character in her Nashville story, GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter/producer Kristian Bush (the producer of her debut album, Lucky), who assisted on guitar.
Along with these captivating performances, attendees enjoyed a spread of Southern-inspired hors d'oeuvres, Ole Smoky Moonshine cocktails, beers courtesy of Yee-Haw Brewing, wine provided by Joyful Heart, and whiskey and bourbon offered by Heaven's Door, as well as the chance to strike a pose in the GRAMMYs photo booth.
The night's final moments offered attendees a chance to connect with friends and heroes, further strengthening the ties that connect the creative minds that proudly call Nashville home.
Country veteran Dierks Bentley, who is up against Wilson and Jelly Roll in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category for his Billy Strings collaboration "High Note," reiterated the dominating message of appreciation and admiration relayed by all of the night's honorees.
"It's a heavy-hitting category, but I'm just proud to be in it," he says. "Nights like tonight bring together the Nashville community and are so important because we get to see our friends both in front of and behind the microphones. It's all really special. I'm happy to be here and proud to represent Nashville when we go out to Los Angeles."