BMI Nashville has announced that the Foundation’s annual Nashville Songwriting Scholarship will be revised and renamed The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award in honor of the legendary artist.
The new program will establish The Dolly Parton Music Fund, which will underwrite the annual awards to emerging songwriters and initiatives to provide or supplement music programs in public schools, ensuring a new generation of music creators, and well-rounded education for all.
Founding endowments include a lead gift from Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston and a contribution from Luke Combs, who donated proceeds from the BMI Parking Lot Party, celebrating his nine #1 hit songs.
Dolly said in a press release, “I know how personal and important songwriting is to those that have the talent, and to all the others that enjoy those that have it. I’m proud to be part of a program that will help support songwriting in any way possible. Thanks to Sony Music Publishing, Luke Combs, and all the others that feel the same way and want to help support it.”
She added, “I have been with BMI since I published my first song as a child, so of course, I’m very proud and honored to have a BMI Songwriters Award made in my honor.”
The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is an annual, nationwide competition open to aspiring songwriters. The award was established in 2015 as the Nashville Songwriting Scholarship by BMI to celebrate the company’s 75th Anniversary year.