Industry Ink: Ray Stevens & Brenda Lee, George Strait, Ashley McBryde, Runaway June, BMI

Ray Stevens & Brenda Lee Receive Cecil Scaife Visionary Award

Brenda Lee and Ray Stevens. Photo: Eli Greiss

Ray Stevens and Brenda Lee were recently surprised with The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award at Nashville’s CabaRay Showroom. Stevens, who helped plan the event, thought he was giving the award to Lee and Lee thought she was giving it to Stevens.

The special sold-out evening opened with a 20-piece orchestra accompanying Mandy Barnett, who showcased Lee’s classic hit, “I’m Sorry.” Additional performances included Charlie McCoy, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs, and Lang Scott. The grand finale of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was performed by The McCrary Sisters, who were accompanied by Lee.

Senator Marsha Blackburn, a past recipient of the award, presented each of the honorees with a Senate Statement for the Congressional Record. She thanked them for their contributions to Tennessee and beyond, as well as for helping lift others up throughout their own careers. In between each act, video greetings were presented from Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner, Kyle Lehning, Mike Huckabee, and Mike Curb.

The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award is given to an individual whose life and work have made it possible for future generations to realize careers in the music industry. In the ’70s, it was the late Cecil Scaife’s vision to create a music business program for musicians, artists, songwriters, and future music business executives to formally learn the industry he loved so dearly. His vision grew to become the world-renowned Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

George Strait Raises $2.4 Million At 12th Annual Vaqueros del Mar Event

Pictured (L-R): Kerry Fisher, Ed Garahan, Jamey Johnson, George Strait, and Tom Cusick. Photo: Terry Calogne

George Strait‘s 12th annual Vaqueros del Mar golf tournament and benefit concert raised a record-setting $2.4 million for the Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, bringing the all-time total to over $17 million.

Hosted at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort with longtime friend and Texas businessman Tom Cusick, the event featured a golf tournament as well as a concert with performances by Strait, Asleep at the Wheel, William Beckman, Wade Bowen, Dean Dillon, Keith Gattis, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, and Randy Rogers.

“After George and I acquired Tapatio, we had our Grand Re-Opening on 11-11-11, which was Veterans Day,” notes Cusick. “We decided holding an event for our military heroes was perfect and then we met David Feherty with Troops First, and the rest is history. I believe we both would agree that this has been one of the most fulfilling experiences we have been involved in, and have grown so close to so many that have sacrificed for our country and all of us!”

Ashley McBryde & Warner Music Nashville Celebrate Opry Induction

Pictured (L-R): Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, WMN), Ashley McBryde, Ben Kline (Co-President, WMN), Tim Foisset (SVP Streaming, WMN), and Cris Lacy (Co-President, WMN). Photo: Chris Hollo

Warner Music Nashville’s Ashley McBryde recently became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night (Dec. 10).

She and fellow Opry member Terri Clark performed “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” which McBryde made her Opry debut with in 2017. She also performed “Sparrow” from her sophomore album Never Will and new song “Made For This.” Eric Church joined her for “Bible and a .44.”

Runaway June Performs At The CMHOF During Ford Community Day

Runaway June. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Gold-selling trio Runaway June, made up of Stevie Woodward, Natalie Stovall, and Jennifer Wayne, performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater on Dec. 11. The performance was part of the museum’s partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund for the museum’s 14th Ford Community Day.

In addition to touring the exhibit galleries, visitors were able to choose from a variety of programs and events, including a Songwriter Session with Parker Welling, a Musician Spotlight with Country Music Hall of Fame member and Grammy winner Charlie McCoy, and various family programs.

BMI Partners With JP Morgan Chase For Annual Meeting

Pictured (L-R): Region Manager JPM Chase’s Jeff Goodwin, Natalie Hemby, Luke Dick, CEO Gibson’s JC Curleigh, and BMI’s Mason Hunter

BMI once again partnered with JP Morgan Chase to provide entertainment at their annual meeting held at Gibson Garage in Nashville. Guests were treated to tours of the Gibson Showroom and a performance by hit songwriters Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick.