The audience at The Ryman on Monday nights inaugural Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Awards bore witness to true magic on stage as fast-rising talent Maren Morris and Grammy-nominated Brothers Osborne covered Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away.” Nominated for AIMP Song of the Year, the vocals of Morris and TJ Osborne oozed the beauty and pain at the core of the song as they each took a verse, creating a conversation between the two on stage. John Osborne then showcased his guitar skills before the trio joined their vocals for a chills-down-your-back harmony that drew an eruption of applause from the crowd.
Watch their mesmerizing performance here:
The remaining AIMP Song of the Year nominees were performed acoustically by: Sam Hunt (Girl Crush), Old Dominion (John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16), Kelsea Ballerini (Say You Do), Brandy Clark (Take Your Time) and Tyler Farr (We Went).
AIMP Awards nominees & winners (bolded):
AIMP SONG OF THE YEAR
“Fire Away” written by Danny Green and Chris Stapleton
“Girl Crush” written by Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose
“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” written by Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne
“Say You Do” written by Shane McAnally, Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen
“Take Your Time” written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne
“We Went” written by John King, Matt Rogers and Justin Wilson
AIMP INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR
Big Deal Music
Big Loud Shirt
Black River Publishing
Combustion Music
Creative Nation
SMACKSongs
AIMP INDEPENDENT SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley
Hillary Lindsey
Josh Osborne
Luke Laird
Shane McAnally
Zach Crowell
AIMP ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR
Brandy Clark
Kacey Musgraves
Kelsea Ballerini
Old Dominion
Sam Hunt
Tyler Farr
AIMP RISING INDEPENDENT SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Brad Tursi
Brothers Osborne
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris
Matt Rogers
Tommy Cecil
AIMP SONG CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Ben Strain
Chris DuBois
Courtney Crist
Jody Williams (tie)
Robin Palmer (tie)
Whitney Daane
SPOTIFY Country Top Spot (Most Streamed Country Song)
“Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt