Jessie Jo Dillon made history at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17, 2026, becoming the first songwriter ever to win ACM Songwriter of the Year three consecutive times. The win, her third in a row, cements Dillon’s place not just as the best songwriter working in Nashville right now, but as one of the most decorated in country music history. She is only the third woman ever to win the award, and no one has ever done it three years running. This is what a songwriting dynasty looks like.
Jessie Jo Dillon’s Historic ACM Three-Peat
On May 17, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Jessie Jo Dillon received the ACM Songwriter of the Year award for the third consecutive year. Megan Moroney delivered the news via FaceTime, telling Dillon: “We have to celebrate because for the third year in a row, you are the ACM Songwriter of the Year!” The moment was electric, and well-earned. Dillon had three Number One songs in a single calendar year heading into the ceremony, a feat that would have made her the frontrunner in any year. In 2026, it was simply confirmation of what Nashville already knew.
The Songs That Won Jessie Jo Dillon the Title
What makes Dillon’s 2026 win particularly remarkable is the range of hits she produced across different artists and genres. She co-wrote three Number One country hits in a single year, Morgan Wallen’s “Lies, Lies, Lies,” Russell Dickerson’s “Happen To Me,” and Megan Moroney’s “Am I Okay?”, while also co-writing “Lighter” by Carin León and Jelly Roll, which was selected as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That last credit alone would be a career highlight for most songwriters. For Dillon, it’s one line on a remarkable year.
- “Lies, Lies, Lies”, Morgan Wallen, #1 country
- “Happen To Me”, Russell Dickerson, #1 country
- “Am I Okay?”, Megan Moroney, #1 country
- “Lighter”, Carin León & Jelly Roll, official song of 2026 FIFA World Cup
- ACM Songwriter of the Year: 2024, 2025, 2026, three consecutive wins
Why Jessie Jo Dillon Is the Most Important Writer in Nashville
Dillon’s ability to write across artists, genres, and moods is what separates her from every other songwriter in her generation. She writes stadium anthems and quiet heartbreakers with equal authority, and the artists she collaborates with, from Morgan Wallen to Megan Moroney to Jelly Roll, span the full spectrum of modern country. She has also earned three consecutive Grammy nominations for Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical) from 2024 through 2026, along with four nominations for Best Country Song. The numbers are staggering. The songs are even better.
Frequently Asked: Who Is Jessie Jo Dillon and Why Did She Win ACM Songwriter of the Year Three Times?
Jessie Jo Dillon is a Nashville-based songwriter who became the first artist to win ACM Songwriter of the Year in three consecutive years (2024, 2025, 2026) and only the third woman ever to receive the honor. Her 2026 win was driven by three Number One country hits in a single year, Morgan Wallen’s “Lies, Lies, Lies,” Russell Dickerson’s “Happen To Me,” and Megan Moroney’s “Am I Okay?”, plus co-writing the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song “Lighter” with Carin León and Jelly Roll.
Jessie Jo Dillon’s historic three-peat at the 2026 ACM Awards is a moment country music will be talking about for years. She is exactly the kind of creative force that elevates an entire genre, and the songs she’s putting into the world prove it every time. Keep following Sunset Country Fest for in-depth coverage of the writers, artists, and stories shaping country music in 2026 and beyond.
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Sources & References
- Jessie Jo Dillon — Official Website
- Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards — Official
- Billboard Country — Music News & Charts
- Taste of Country — Country Music News
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Last updated: May 20, 2026 · Sunset Country Fest Editorial Team · Contact Us