BMI Foundation Honors Macy Dot Neal with the Inaugural Dolly Parton Songwriters Award
Photo L-R: BMI’s Clay Bradley, Macy Dot Neal, BMI’s Mitch Ballard
Photo Credit: Erika Goldring for BMI
Nashville, TN - June 8, 2023 - BMI Foundation presented Nashville-based singer/songwriter Macy Dot Neal with the inaugural Dolly Parton Songwriters Award for her song “Texas, Tennessee” at the CMA Fest Ryman & BMI Block Party in Nashville on June 8th. The event featured performances by some of country music’s prominent emerging artists, including Matt Castillo, On The Outside, Mae Estes, Nate Kenyon, and The Chattahoochies. The inaugural award was presented by BMI Foundation Trustee and BMI Vice President, Creative, Clay Bradley.
Songwriting legend Dolly Parton commented, “Congratulations to Macy on receiving the BMI Scholarship this year! I know you are building quite a reputation as a songwriter as well as being a great singer and entertainer. Songwriting for me has always been my first love and I have been with BMI since I published my first song as a very young girl. They have always been so supportive of me as well as all young writers that come to town. I want to thank BMI for their support of the songwriters' award named in my honor. We all wish you the very best Macy and we look forward to hearing your songs throughout the years.”
Upon receiving the award, Macy Dot said, “I have been writing songs for as long as I can remember, and I truly cannot thank you enough for supporting my dreams. And it’s named after the Queen herself, Ms. Dolly Parton, which makes it even more special! Thank you BMI and thank you for all you are doing to support songwriters.”
Originally from Austin, Texas, Macy Dot Neal has performed at venues across both Austin and Nashville including SXSW, Rodeo Austin, The Listening Room (Pigeon Forge), and Tin Roof on Broadway. She has opened for artists such as Kacey Musgraves, Gary P. Nunn, and Zane Williams, among others, and was named the 2020 Young Artist of the Year by the Texas Country Music Association. A student at Belmont University, she is studying songwriting and music business in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Listen to Macy Dot Neal’s award-winning song “Texas, Tennessee” below.
The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is an annual, national competition open to aspiring songwriters with a monetary prize of $10,000 for the best original song entry in the genres of Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots. Originally established in 2015 as the Nashville Songwriting Scholarship, the award was created to celebrate the BMI 75th anniversary and pay homage to the musical epicenter and “Songwriting Capital of the World,” Nashville, Tennessee. In 2022, the program was revised to honor the creativity and generosity of the legendary artist Dolly Parton with an endowment from Sony Music Publishing's Rusty Gaston as well as a contribution from country superstar Luke Combs.
About the BMI Foundation
The BMI Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to encourage the creation, performance, and study of American music. The Foundation’s programs include competitive scholarships for songwriters and composers, operating grants for nonprofit arts presenters, and support for innovative music education initiatives in schools and communities across the country. For more information about the work of the Foundation, please visit our website at www.bmifoundation.org. For exclusive news and content, follow @bmifoundation on Twitter and Instagram, and like BMI Foundation on Facebook.
Media Contact
BMI Foundation - Susan Bywaters - 212-220-3175 - susan@bmifoundation.org