BMI Honors Billy F Gibbons With 2023 Troubadour Award

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, BMI’s Clay Bradley, Troubadour Billy F Gibbons, BMI’s Mike O’ Neill and BMI’s Mike Steinberg. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

As AmericanaFest week falls on Nashville, a throng of its community members gathered at BMI’s office on Music Row on Monday night (Sept. 15) to celebrate Billy F Gibbons, a founding member of ZZ Top, who received the organization’s Troubadour Award.

The prestigious accolade recognizes a songwriter who has made a profound impact on the creative community as their craft continues to set the pace for generations to follow. Last night, Gibbons joined an esteemed class of past Troubadour Award recipients including John Hiatt, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams.

Pictured (L-R): Chris Isaak, Lucinda Williams, Billy F Gibbons, Robert Earl Keen and Elle King. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

BMI’s President and CEO Mike O’ Neill alongside Nashville’s VP of Creative Clay Bradley presented the award to Gibbons after a night of music and memories.

“BMI has been fortunate enough to have Billy as part of our family for decades and his contributions to ZZ Top’s enduring success has solidified their status as rock legends,” Bradley said. “His songwriting and artistic style transcends through many decades which was on full display last night.”

BMI’s lobby had been transformed to a warm, cozy reception hall for the occasion, complete with orange uplighting on the walls, fresh picked flowers on the tables and linens that looked like burlap. We feasted on an autumnal meal of baked chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots, with a yummy salad and delicious cookie butter shooter for dessert. The atmosphere was that of a celebratory homecoming for the Americana creatives and business folk, who went from table to table to mingle.

Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban and Billy F Gibbons. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

When it came to the music, Gibbons was treated to selections from a wide array of artists. Chris Isaak rocked out on “Sharped Dress Man,” Elle King teased on “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” Kingfish brought the house down with “Waitin’ for the Bus” and Keith Urban touched hearts with “Rough Boy.” Past Troubadour recipient Robert Earl Keen thrilled the crowd with an awesome rendition of “La Grange.”

The evening also included congratulatory videos from longtime friends and collaborators such as Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan and Van Wilks along with Bill Bentley, George Gruhn, Greg Voros and Tom Bukovac, who spoke on Gibbons’ distinct style. Renowned radio host Eddie Trunk gave a commemorative speech that highlighted the career behind ZZ Top’s chief songwriter that spans more than 50 years.

When Gibbons accepted the honor, he spoke about Nashville embracing him. “I really feel like part of the community. I’ve been coming to Nashville for 45 years,” he said. “Thank you so much!”

LB Cantrell
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