Songwriting organization BMI has renamed their annual Nashville Songwriting Scholarship the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award in honor of the legendary artist. The new program will also establish The Dolly Parton Music Fund, which will underwrite the annual awards to emerging songwriters as well as initiatives to provide or supplement music programs in public schools. The awards can be used as a career grant for study, instrument purchase, recording costs, or other professional expenses and are not restricted to tuition costs. Luke Combs has already contributed to the fund through donated proceeds from the recent BMI Parking Lot Party celebrating his nine Number One hit songs.
Dolly said, “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. 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.
