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Reaffirming that ASCAP songs are at the heart of the success of country music, more than 1,000 music industry professionals from throughout the world joined country music stars at the 36th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at Nashville's Opryland Hotel on September 21st. Among those in attendance were: Alan Jackson, Brady Seals, Brooks & Dunn, Bryan White, Clint Daniels, Deana Carter, Deryl Dodd, Eddy Arnold, Jason Sellers, Joe Diffie, John Berry, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney, Lari White, Lee Ann Womack, Michael Peterson, Patty Loveless, Ricochet, Sons of The Desert, Suzy Bogguss, The Kinleys, The Wilkinsons, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Tracy Lawrence and Trisha Yearwood.
The black-tie gala evening, which this year featured a "Roaring Twenties" theme, was hosted by ASCAP Vice President Connie Bradley, with special presentations made by ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento and members of the ASCAP Board of Directors. ASCAP Assistant Vice President John Briggs joined Bradley in presenting awards to the ASCAP writers and publishers of the 75 most performed country songs of 1997.
Alan Jackson was honored as ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for "I Can't Do That Anymore" and "There Goes." ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year honors went to EMI Music Publishing for "Another You," "Count Me In," "Dark Horse," "From Here To Eternity," "How Do I Get There?," "If She Don't Love You," "It's A Little Too Late," "Let It Rain," "One Night At A Time," "Thank God For Believers" and "What If It's You?"
The Country Song of the Year was "One Night At A Time," written by Earl Bud Lee and Eddie Kilgallon, and published by EMI Music Publishing, Hipp Row Music & Island Bound Music, Inc., Life's A Pitch Music, Neon Sky Music and Sony/ATV Cross Keys. "One Night At A Time" was a Number One hit for George Strait.
Six special presentations highlighted the evening. Governor Don Sundquist of Tennessee was recognized with the ASCAP Board of Directors Award for his championship of the rights of music creators. In addition, three members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation were honored with the ASCAP Friend of the Arts Award for their legislative support of American music: Senators Fred Thompson and Bill Frist, and Representative Bob Clement. Making the presentations to the Governor, Senators and Congressman were ASCAP Board members Donna Hilley and Wayland Holyfield.
David Hall of CBS Cable (which owns The Nashville Network and Country Music Television) accepted the first-ever ASCAP Partners-in-Music Award, presented for TNN and CMT's years of outstanding service to country music by virtue of its high quality programming presented by ASCAP Senior Vice President Director of Licensing Vincent Candilora.
ASCAP singer-songwriter Guy Clark, the Texas-born creator of such hits as "L.A. Freeway," "Desperados Waiting For A Train," and "The Last Gunfighter Ballad," was honored with The ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Clark has been a friend and mentor to generations of artists, including Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett and the late Townes Van Zandt. Fellow Texans Lovett and Crowell were both on hand to present the award to Clark, and perform a musical tribute, respectively.
Among those on hand to host the gala evening were ASCAP Board members: Martin Bandier, John Bettis, Freddy Beinstock, Donna Hilley, Wayland Holyfield, Dean Kay, Leeds Levy, Jay Morgenstern and Irwin Robinson.
Commenting on the theme of the evening, ASCAP's Connie Bradley said, "'The Twenties' was an era of elegance and fun, a glamorous time in our century where country music was launched to the masses via radio on Monday, October 5, 1925 from downtown Nashville's WSM Radio."
Multiple songwriter recipients named at the ASCAP ceremonies included: Walt Aldridge, Kenny Beard, Larry Boone, Trey Bruce, Deana Carter, Chris Farren, Steven D. Jones, Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Cathy Majeski, Robert Ellis Orrall, Mark D. Sanders, Don Schlitz, Roger Springer, Craig Wiseman and Drew Womack.
Multiple publisher award winners were: Almo Music Corporation, Big Tractor Music, BMG Songs, Inc., Daddy Rabbit Music, Famous Music Corporation, Farrenuff Music, Island Bound Music, Inc., JKids Music, Kim Williams Music, Major Bob Music, MCA Music Publishing, New Don Songs, New Don Music, Rick Hall Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Cross Keys, Starstruck Writers Group, Texas Wedge Music, Warner/Chappell Music Group, Watertown Music, Windswept Music, Womaculate Conceptions, Yee Haw Music and Zomba Enterprises, Inc.
Country Music Award Winners
Country Music Awards Photo Page 1
Country Music Awards Photo Page 2
PlayBack
: October - November - December 1998
ASCAP PlayBack
