Vince Gill and Charlie Handsome received two of the night’s leading honors at the eighth annual National Music Publishers’ Association Gold and Platinum Gala on Thursday, Oct. 22. The ceremony, staged at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville, recognized country songs earning new Recording Industry Association of America certifications.

Gill was presented with the legacy songwriter icon award, while Handsome was named top songwriter of the year. They led a wide-ranging celebration that honored more than 150 songwriters whose work reached Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum or Diamond status during the July 2025-June 2026 eligibility period.

More than 80 multi-platinum hitmakers from Nashville’s music community received songwriting plaques. NMPA president and CEO David Israelite welcomed an audience of songwriters, publishers and other industry figures, with the organization’s Cara Cunningham and Charlotte Sellmyer also helping lead the presentations. RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier attended as well.

Vince Gill Celebrated as a Songwriting Icon

Gill’s legacy honor recognized his body of enduring songs, with “One More Last Chance” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain” both receiving new certifications.

“His awards are countless, his talent is extraordinary, his humility is legendary,” Israelite told the audience. “But perhaps his greatest achievement is that, after all these years, his songs aren’t just standing the test of time — they are making history.”

Gill reflected on the way songwriting became a larger part of how his work was viewed.

“I love writing songs, always have,” he said. “It kind of came last, the songs did…I was always known for my singing, always known for my guitar playing, stuff like that… took a while for people to believe I was a decent songwriter. I sure was grateful for that change.”

During his appearance, Gill revisited the story behind his 1992 song “One More Last Chance.” He recounted how the late Country Music Hall of Famer George Jones once drove a riding lawn mower several miles to buy alcohol after his wife hid his car keys in an attempt to stop him from drinking. The incident helped inspire the song, which Gill performed at the gala.

He also delivered a performance of “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” which he said he wrote for his older brother.

“I’m grateful for this song and what it has gone on to do to help people get through a rough stretch,” Gill said.

Charlie Handsome’s 35-Certification Year

Handsome’s top songwriter honor followed a year in which he earned 35 new RIAA certifications in the country genre alone. Among the certified songs celebrated were “Wasted on You,” “Last Night,” “You Proof” and “Heartless.”

Accepting the award, Handsome directed attention to his family and regular collaborators.

“Thanks everybody who helped,” he told the crowd. “I want to thank my family – my mom’s here, my brother, my wife. All the guys I write with… it’s the same crew every time but without them I’m not here.”

The gala’s platinum anthem honor, awarded to the year’s highest-certified song, went to “Beautiful Crazy.” Written by Luke Combs, Rob Williford and Wyatt Durrette and recorded by Combs, the song reached 15-times Platinum certification in December 2025.

Brett Young performed his own rendition of “Beautiful Crazy,” before Williford took the stage to accept the recognition.

“I think about that kid that just dreamed about hearing a song he wrote on the radio,” Williford said. “I thought, ‘Man, if I can just accomplish that, if I got a No. 1, or if I won song of the year, I will have made it.’”

He added that, 10 years later, he remained “just as hungry” and committed to “pulling lyric and melody out of thin air.”

New Milestones for Country Hits

Because the annual gala recognizes new RIAA certifications regardless of when a song was first released, the honorees included both newer recordings and established country songs.

Morgan Wallen’s “Chasing You” was celebrated for achieving Diamond status. Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” reached 11-times Platinum, while Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Combs’ “Hurricane” and Wallen’s “Last Night” were recognized at 12-times Platinum. Wallen’s “Whiskey Glasses” received a 13-times Platinum honor.

The 3-times Platinum “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” written by Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey and the late Brett James, was also recognized. Cornman Music president Nate Lowery accepted on behalf of James, who died just over a year earlier. The tribute drew sustained applause and a standing ovation from the audience.

Laci Kaye Booth opened the event by performing “Daddy’s Mugshot,” a song featured on her new album, Love Ain’t for the Faint of Heart.

ShowBiz Take

The scale of the 2026 gala told the story: more than 150 writers honored, over 80 multi-platinum hitmakers presented with plaques and songs ranging from fresh successes to long-standing works receiving new commercial milestones.

Handsome’s 35 country certifications demonstrated the volume of current songwriting achievement celebrated during the evening. Gill’s legacy recognition offered the complementary view, showing how songs such as “One More Last Chance” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain” can continue reaching new certification levels years after their creation. Together, the night’s major honors placed present-day momentum and lasting songwriting impact on the same stage.