Craig Wiseman Named Songwriter of the Year, Kenny Chesney Presented with the Prestigious Voice of Music Award at ASCAP Country Music Awards
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(l-r): ASCAP Voice of Music Award winner Kenny Chesney, ASCAP's Connie Bradley and Songwriter of the Year winner Craig Wiseman
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ASCAP honored the world's finest songwriters and publishers of the most performed country songs of the past year at the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium, on October 17th. More than one thousand of Nashville's most celebrated artists and songwriters, as well as music industry professionals from around the world, gathered at the star-studded gala for the presentation of the 43rd Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, proving once again that ASCAP songs are at the heart of country music's enduring success.
The evening was highlighted with a special presentation of the ASCAP Voice of Music Award to Kenny Chesney, who was described by ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman as "an artist who has the ability to captivate millions with songs that are honest, heartfelt and entertaining. He is a superstar, yes, but he is a songwriter first."
Co-hosted by ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento and ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley, this year's celebration took place at two of Nashville's most distinctive landmarks � The Ryman Auditorium and the BellSouth Tower � where guests enjoyed dining and dancing on the plaza as well as a grand view of the city from the 27th floor. Bradley happily noted that the move downtown for the annual event was a tremendous success and said, "It's only fitting that we honor the world's finest songwriters and the best songs of the past year at one of the most beloved venues in the world�The Ryman Auditorium."
Among those in attendance were Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Darryl Worley, Terri Clark, Phil Vassar, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, SHeDAISY, Buddy Jewel, Craig Morgan, Billy Currington, Keith Anderson, David Lee Murphy, Jamie O'Neal, J.D. Souther, Jimmy Wayne, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Deric Ruttan, Blaine Larson, Shannon Lawson, Josh Turner, The Wrights, Brice Long, Jessica Andrews, Blue County, Lane Turner, Shannon Brown, Whitney Duncan, Melonie Cannon, Keni Thomas, Brady Seals, Matt Jenkins, and Guy Clark.
The evening opened with a stellar performance of "I Saw The Light" by Rascal Flatts, and throughout the evening hit songwriters performed live renditions of the past year's Top 5 most performed ASCAP songs. Craig Wiseman performed "Live Like You Were Dying," Brett James sang "When The Sun Goes Down," Monty Powell performed "Days Go By," and ASCAP Voice of Music Award honoree Kenny Chesney delighted the audience with a knockout performance of "I Go Back." In a special video performance John Rich was hysterical as a Gretchen Wilson impersonator singing "Redneck Woman."
Kenny Chesney joins a select group of songwriters who have received the Voice of Music Award, which is given to songwriters whose music gives people's lives a voice through song, including Garth Brooks, Amy Grant, Diane Warren and George Strait.
From Luttrell, Tennessee, Chesney is the reigning Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year. In 2004, he sold more concert tickets than any other artist with the exception of Prince.
The evening's other top honors were awarded as follows: ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, Craig Wiseman, for his hit singles, "In A Real Love'," "Live Like You Were Dying," "Rough And Ready," "That's What It's All About," and "This Woman With You." Wiseman recently started his own independent publishing company, Big Loud Shirt Industries, and the first single from its new catalogue is the ASCAP Country Song of the Year, Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying."
ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year John Rich was honored for the songs: "Here For The Party," "Holy Water," "Redneck Woman," "Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy," and "When I Think About Cheatin'."
ASCAP Publisher of the Year, EMI Music Publishing, was honored for "Awful, Beautiful Life," "Break Down Here," "Girls Lie Too," "How Far," "In A Real Love," "It's Five O'clock Somewhere," "Little Moments," "Mud On The Tires," "Passenger Seat," "Remember When," "Sweet Southern Comfort," "Too Much Of A Good Thing," and "You'll Think Of Me."
Another highlight at the Country Music Awards was the presentation of the ASCAP Partner in Music Award to Tootsies Orchid Lounge by ASCAP Senior Vice President and Director of Licensing Vincent Candilora. This award recognizes an ASCAP licensee who has shown exceptional dedication to promoting and expanding the reach of country music.
