February - March 2003

ASCAP Celebrates 40th Annual Country Music Awards

ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento (far right) is pictured with (l-r) EMI Music Publishing Nashville Executive VP/GM Gary Overton, EMI Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier, ASCAP Golden Note Award winner Alan Jackson and EMI Music Publishing President Bob Flax. EMI was named Publisher of the Year.

More than 1,000 music industry professionals from throughout the world joined country music's top stars for the 40th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at Nashville's Opryland Hotel on November 4, proving once more that ASCAP songs are at the heart of the success of country music.

The black-tie gala evening, which featured a "jungle" theme, was co-hosted by ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Marilyn Bergman and Senior Vice President Connie Bradley. ASCAP Vice President John Briggs joined Bradley in presenting awards to the ASCAP writers and publishers of the most performed country songs of 2001.

The evening's top writer and publisher awards were ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, which went to Darrell Scott for " Born To Fly" and "It's A Great Day To Be Alive"; Songwriter/Artist of the Year, which went to Alan Jackson for "Where I Come From," "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" and "When Somebody Loves You"; and Publisher of the Year, which went to EMI Music Publishing for "Complicated," "Downtime," "Don't Happen Twice," "It's A Great Day To Be Alive," "My Next Thirty Years," "One More Day," "Rose Bouquet," "Six Pack Summer," "Two People Fell In Love," "When I Think About Angels," "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)," "Without You" and "Wrapped Around."

Two songs tied for the ASCAP Country Song of the Year Award, which honors the most performed country song of 2001: "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You," written by Rivers Rutherford and published by Memphisto Music and Universal Music Publishing Group; and "I'm Already There," written by Gary Baker and Frank Myers, and published by Josh Nick Music, Swear By It Music and Zomba Enterprises. "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" was a six-week #1 hit for Brooks & Dunn; "I'm Already There" was a six-week #1 hit by Lonestar.

Pictured above (l-r) Country Song of the Year Award winners Gary Baker, Rivers Rutherford and Frank Myers, Songwriter of the Year Darrell Scott, ASCAP's Connie Bradley, ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento and Gary Overton.

Among the evening's highlights was the presentation by Marilyn Bergman of The ASCAP Golden Note Award to Alan Jackson, one of country music's great artist-writers. Jackson, the Newnan, Georgia-born superstar has sold over 40 million albums since his first album release in 1989 and has topped the Country Singles chart 30 times. He has endeared himself to country music fans and critics alike with his commitment to straight-ahead, roots-oriented, no frills country via songs like "Chattahoochee," "Midnight In Montgomery," "Gone Country," "Don't Rock The Jukebox," "Here In The Real World," "Tonight I Climbed The Wall," "Where I Come From," and the tribute to the heroes and victims of September 11, "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)." ASCAP member Rodney Crowell, a Texas-born, Nashville-based songwriter and recording artist who has made a major impact on country music, was honored with the ASCAP Creative Achievement Award. After receiving his award, Crowell was joined on stage by members of his legendary Nashville band of the '80s -- The Cherry Bombs.

The ASCAP Partners In Music Award annually recognizes ASCAP licensees who are exceptional in promoting and expanding the reach of country music. This year's recipient is the Flora-Bama Lounge, a major music venue in Pensacola, Florida, owned and operated by Joe Gilchrist. The evening was further highlighted with an acoustic performance of "While You Love Me," and "I'm Moving On" by ASCAP members Rascal Flatts, CMA Horizon and Group of The Year nominees. Multiple songwriter recipients named at the ASCAP ceremonies included: Kenny Beard, Roxie Dean, Alan Jackson, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley, Annie Roboff, Rivers Rutherford, Don Schlitz, Darrell Scott, Anthony Smith, Neil Thrasher, Kim Tribble, Phil Vassar and Diane Warren.

Multiple publisher award winners were: Almo Music Corporation, Anwa Music, Blakemore Avenue Music, Brian's Dream, Cal IV Entertainment, EMI Music Publishing, Famous Music Corporation, Love Ranch Music, Major Bob Music, New Don Songs, New Hayes Music, Phil Vassar Music, Realsongs, Scott and Soda, Sea Gayle Music, Sony/ATV Milene Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music Group, Willdawn Music, Yee Haw Music and Zomba Enterprises.

Country Music Awards Photos