Kenny Rogers, John Rich, Craig Wiseman, Don Schlitz and Sony/ATV Music Publishing among top honorees
 |
Pictured (l-r) are ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento, 2007 ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Craig Wiseman, ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley and 2007 ASCAP Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year John Rich |
|
|
|
ASCAP honored the world's finest songwriters of the most performed country songs of the past year during the 45th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, held October 15, 2007 at two of Nashville's most distinctive landmarks � the historic Ryman Auditorium and the AT&T Tennessee Tower. Co-hosted by ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento and ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley, the star-studded celebration drew over 1,500 of Nashville's most distinguished songwriters and artists, as well as music industry professionals from around the world, proving once again that ASCAP songs are at the heart of country music's success.
A highlight of the evening included a musical tribute to ASCAP Golden Note Award honoree Kenny Rogers. Chris Stapleton performed "Sweet Music Man;" 2006 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Rivers Rutherford rocked the crowd with "I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In);" and songwriter great Don Schlitz performed "The Gambler." Rogers graciously accepted his award and then took to the stage to perform his 1999 comeback hit "The Greatest," also written by Don Schlitz. Following his performance, Rogers surprised Schlitz with the presentation of the ASCAP Creative Achievement Award in recognition of exceptional and ongoing contributions as a songwriter to the fabric of American music.
The evening opened with a phenomenal, full band, duet performance of "Jackson" by Gretchen Wilson and The Charlie Daniels Band. Throughout the evening, ASCAP's hit songwriters performed live renditions of the past year's top 5 most performed songs. Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins and a string trio performed "Before He Cheats;" Dave Berg accompanied by Georgia Middleman gave a stirring acoustic performance of "If You're Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows);" Craig Wiseman entertained the audience with his single "Summertime;" Brad Paisley and co-writer Kelley Lovelace, accompanied by Lee Miller, surprised the crowd with their performance of "The World;" and songwriter and award-winning producer Buddy Cannon, in a rare musical performance, was joined by Bill Anderson, Melonie Cannon and Jamey Johnson on "Give It Away."
The evening's other top honors were awarded as follows: ASCAP Songwriter of the Year: Craig Wiseman was honored for "Hillbilly Deluxe," "Something's Gotta Give," and "Summertime." This is Wiseman's third Songwriter of the Year honor. ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year: John Rich for "8th Of November," "Amarillo Sky," "Sunshine & Summertime," and "Why." Rich has won this award three consecutive years. Sharing the ASCAP Country Song of the Year honor were "Before He Cheats" co-written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins and published by Big Loud Shirt, Big Yellow Dog Music, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and "If You're Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows)" written by Dave Berg, published by BergBrain Music and Cal IV Entertainment.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing was named ASCAP Publisher of the Year with a total of eight award-winning songs. Sony/ATV has earned ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year nine times.
Amy Kurland and the world famous Bluebird Caf� were also honored for their 25 years of showcasing songwriters. ASCAP also recognized those members who are celebrating 25 years of membership with the organization. They include: Woody Bomar, Mike Dekle, Adrienne Follese, Ted Hewitt, Bud Lee and Rachel Newman.
