NASHVILLE, TN, OCTOBER 17, 2005: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored the world's finest songwriters of the most performed country songs of the past year at the Mother Church of Country Music tonight. 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 & Chairman of the Board 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.
Connie Bradley happily noted that the move downtown for the annual event was a tremendous success. "We purposely sought to break the typical "awards banquet" mold and present our songwriters and publishers in the best possible light." Bradley echoed the sentiments of attendees regarding the choice of venue. "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 "Had It Not Been" 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 knock out performance of "I Go Back." In a special video performance John Rich was hysterical as a Gretchen Wilson impersonator singing "Redneck Woman."
During the special presentation of the ASCAP Voice of Music Award to country superstar Kenny Chesney, ASCAP's Connie Bradley said: "Kenny brings a special magic to the stage. When he performs, you feel as though he is your best friend, speaking directly to you through each song. His music celebrates the every day things in life, things we hold dear to our hearts." Chesney joins a select group of songwriters who have received this prestigious honor, 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. He is the only country artist to headline stadiums this summer, and is the only country artist with multiple nominations for this year's Billboard Touring Awards — an annual event saluting outstanding achievements in the concert industry. He is nominated in the "Top Tour" and "Top Draw" categories with other notable acts such as U2, Neil Diamond and The Dave Matthews Band.
His Greatest Hits, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems and the CMA album of the Year When The Sun Goes Down all certified quadruple platinum. His deeply introspective, million-plus-selling Be As You Are: Song From An Old Blue Chair debuted at #1 on Billboard's all-genre Top 200 Album chart. Kenny Chesney has struck a chord with the American public with sales exceeding 20 million units.
The evening's other top honors were awarded as follows:
ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, Craig Wiseman: For 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." ASCAP's 2005 Songwriter of the Year, Craig Wiseman, hails from the college town of Hattiesburg in Southern Mississippi. He began playing music at age 12 in the school band. After several years of playing drums professionally, he decided to move to Nashville in 1985 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional songwriter. Wiseman signed his first songwriting deal in 1990 with Almo Music. Thirteen years later, he started his own independent publishing company, Big Loud Shirt Industries. The first single from the new catalogue is the ASCAP Song of the Year, Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying." Craig Wiseman is one of Music Row's most prolific writers with 300 songs released, 90 charted singles and 13 number one hits. It's his second time receiving this honor.
ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year, John Rich: "Here For The Party," "Holy Water," "Redneck Woman," "Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy," and "When I Think About Cheatin'." Big & Rich's John Rich is Nashville's newest "renaissance man." The 31-year-old Texas native has made an indelible mark on the face of country music. As an artist he's introduced the world to country music "Big & Rich style" as one half of the multi-platinum duo. Not one for resting on his laurels, or resting at all for that matter, John Rich has spent the majority of 2005 producing & co-producing some of the most promising artists to emerge from the rank and file in recent years. In addition to producing Shannon Brown and James Otto's next releases, Rich has co-produced the latest efforts from Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy, Big & Rich and country legend Billy Joe Shaver. When he's not on stage or in the studio, John Rich spends his time writing some of the biggest hits in country music. Rich's songs have been on the charts all year, Faith Hill's "Mississippi Girl" and Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman" are two of his most recent #1 hits.
ASCAP Country Song of the Year, "Live Like You Were Dying" - Craig Wiseman: This award honors the most performed country song of the past year and was presented to ASCAP's 2005 Songwriter of the Year, Craig Wiseman. The smash hit was recorded by multi-platinum selling artist Tim McGraw and published by Wiseman's Big Loud Shirt Industries. "Live Like You Were Dying" spent a remarkable 10 weeks at the #1 spot and garnered Song of The Year honors at the GRAMMY, NSAI, CMA and ACM Awards.
ASCAP Publisher of the Year, EMI Music Publishing: 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." With a total of thirteen award-winning songs, EMI earned this award for the 5th consecutive year.
This year's Partner in Music Award, presented by ASCAP Senior Vice President and Director of Licensing Vincent Candilora, went to Tootsies Orchid Lounge. This award recognizes an ASCAP licensee who has shown exceptional dedication to promoting and expanding the reach of country music. During the presentation to Tootsies' owner, Steve Smith, Candilora noted "this year's Partner in Music Award recipient played a key role in Nashville's musical legacy. For decades this establishment has spun its magic with legendary live performances."
Connie Bradley was joined on stage by ASCAP Vice President John Briggs to present awards to the ASCAP writers and publishers of the most performed country songs of the past year including songwriters Chris DuBois, Rory Lee Feek, Connie Harrington, Brett James, Kristyn Osborn, Brad Paisley, Monty Powell, Rivers Rutherford, John Shanks, and Gretchen Wilson, all of whom received multiple awards.
Among the music publishers receiving multiple honors were BMG Songs, Inc., Big Loud Shirt Industries, Black In The Saddle Songs, Dimensional Music of 1019, Dylan Jackson Music, Emerto Music, Giantslayer Music, Hoosier Mama, Lanark Village Tunes, Little Cricket Music, Major Bob Music, Mrs. Lumpkin's Poodle, Rich Texan Music, Sea Gayle Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Tri-Angels Music, Universal Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music Group, and Zomba Enterprises, Inc.
Click here for the complete list of winners.
The evening also included a presentation by Gibson Guitar to ASCAP Country Songwriter and Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Craig Wiseman and John Rich each received Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Cutaway guitars, which were personalized in recognition of their individual honors. These instruments are antique natural, superior performance models with rosewood backs and sides handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana.
The event's production partner once again this year was The Gary Musick Company of Nashville, who provided creative, technical and scenic support for "ASCAP AT THE RYMAN" as well as the post show celebration at the BellSouth Tower. Executive Producer Connie Bradley collaborated with the show's Producer & Creative Director, Danny Petraitis.
Joining Bradley in the planning and preparation of the evening were ASCAP staff members John Briggs, Marc Driskill, Michelle Goble-Peay, Chad Green, Dan Keen, Suzanne Lee, Shauna McCulley, Ralph Murphy, Pat Rolfe, Mike Sistad, Mary Self, Jessica Tompkins, Charline Wilhite, Herky Williams, Jesse Willoughby and Gerilynn Zettel.
