Joe Nichols wins his first-ever songwriter award

NASHVILLE, TN. (Universal South ) - Joe Nichols, who last year won every new male vocalist award in the country genre, was honored last night for a different talent, songwriting. The Nichols-penned single "Cool To Be A Fool" was lauded as one of SESAC's most performed country songs of the past year.
"I came to Nashville to be a singer, and never really thought I'd be able to break into the world of songwriters in this town - there are just so many greats," Nichols says. "So to be recognized for my songwriting makes me incredibly proud."

The SESAC performance award was Nichols' first-ever award as a songwriter, and, coincidentally, he won it the same week that his second self-penned single, "What's A Guy Gotta Do", was the most added song at country radio.

The songwriting award will have a place in Nichols' trophy case alongside his 2003 CMA Horizon Award, ACM Top New Male Vocalist Award, CMT Breakthrough Artist Award, Radio & Records Best New Country Artist Award, Music Row Critics' Pick Award, and his RIAA Gold Certification for his Universal South debut CD Man With A Memory.
Also in 2003, Nichols was the inaugural recipient of SESAC's Summit Award, honoring a SESAC affiliate's outstanding contributions to country music and the country music industry.