Vince Gill & Charlie Handsome Lead 2026 NMPA Gold & Platinum Gala Honorees
The 2026 National Music Publishers' Association Gold & Platinum Gala, held Thursday, honored over 150 Nashville songwriters.
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) hosted its 8th annual Gold and Platinum Gala on October 22, 2026, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, celebrating exceptional country songs and their creators. The NMPA's president and CEO, David Israelite, welcomed attendees, including Cara Cunningham and Charlotte Sellmyer, who led the honors.
Over 150 songwriters were recognized for their country songs achieving Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond or above status, certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) from July 2025 to June 2026. Over 80 multi-platinum hitmakers received songwriting plaques, with Charlie Handsome receiving the top songwriter of the year award, having earned 35 new RIAA certifications in the country genre.
Vince Gill was honored with the legacy songwriter icon award, receiving new certifications for his songs "One More Last Chance" and "Go Rest High on That Mountain." Israelite praised Gill's songs, noting their historical impact and timeless quality. The evening featured performances and tributes to the celebrated songwriters, with Charlie Handsome's performance of "Go Rest High on That Mountain" being particularly moving.
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