The Nashville songwriting community gathered Sunday night at the Music City Center to honor a select few who excelled above the rest in the calendar year. Of the 150 songs that made the ballot, Zach Crowell’s “Break Up In A Small Town” was one of 10 “Songs I Wish I’d Written” voted by NSAI Professional Members. Crowell's song entered the top 20 on Billboard Airplay in Alternative, Christian, Country, Pop and Rock from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

Through mathematical that involves number of songs in the top 20 on Billboard Airplay from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, chart position of each song, amount of time each song spent in the top 20, and writer percentage, Ashley Gorley was awarded NSAI's 2016 Songwriter of the Year.