Bobby Karl Works the BMI Country Awards

BMI Icon Billy Sherrill and Song and Songwriter of the Year winner Taylor Swift

Chapter 354

Photos by Rick Diamond and Andrew H. Walker

The 58th annual BMI Country Awards – the first of all the country accolades – mixed young with old like never before.

Taylor Swift, 20, became the youngest person ever to be named the organization’s Songwriter of the Year. Nineteen tunesmiths won their first BMI Awards, including Justin Moore, Eddie Montgomery, Bubba Strait and Jon Mabe.

On the other hand, Sony/ATV won its ninth consecutive and 33rd overall Publisher of the Year honor. And the crowd was full of classic Music Row personalities such as Norro Wilson, Fred Foster, Jerry Crutchfield, Jerry Chesnut, Jerry & Connie Bradley, David Briggs, David Malloy, Dickie Lee, Bucky Wilkin, Larry Henley, Jo Walker-Meador, Jim Foglesong, Tom Collins, Even Stevens, Kenny & Corky O’Dell, Bob Beckham and Layng Martine.

As always, the manically schmoozy cocktail hour set the tone for the evening. Big Al Anderson came bearing news that he’s doing a record with Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin next month. I complimented Thom Schuyler on his excellent radio voice as the host of the new Bluebird Café radio series on WPLN. Ashton Shepherd said her sophomore CD is ready to go. Both of Paul Overstreet’s sons are now in the biz. At last year’s banquet, we celebrated Nash Overstreet’s pop band Hot Chelle Ray getting signed to Arista (the record is out now, and it’s a dandy). This year, we’re toasting Chord Overstreet as a new cast member on the TV and music phenom Glee.

As we entered, the Steel Magnolia kids were posing for snapshots with the fans gathered on the other side of the street from the red carpet. So cute. The star-gazing was abundant. Jack Ingram, Kix Brooks, Jamey Johnson, Jeff Hanna, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dailey & Vincent, Joey + Rory, Clay Walker, Randy Houser, Billy Burnette, American Idol alumnus Casey James, Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Eric Church, Rodney Atkins, Rhett Akins, Easton Corbin, Jason Aldean, Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Joe Don Rooney & Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, The Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Ira Dean and Craig Morgan were all in the house.

Most were dressed to kill. Chris Young was in a gray tailored suit and a black cowboy hat. Suzi Ragsdale wore a black sequined top over pegged black slacks. Butch Baker was garbed in his grandfather’s gold brocade, big-band jacket/uniform. Jake Owen was in a sleek, fitted, sharkskin suit. Tanya Tucker sported silver sequins. Carrie Underwood had upswept hair and a formal, retro black mini dress. Josh Turner chose a trim gray suit. Martina McBride was a vision in a backless, gray, floor-length gown covered in pale blue sequins. Taylor Swift wore a shiny, black shift. Faith Hill was breathtaking in a Grecian-inspired, draped halter dress in tones of beige and taupe.

We entered the banquet room to the lively strains of The Belleville Outfit. Love them. Tables were covered in crimson tablecloths and centered with candelabras dripping with crystals set in piles of red-hots candies. Masses of red, tropical anthurium flowers surrounded mirrored posts with more crystals hanging above. The schmoozing continued during the brie, apple and spinach salad. The main course was surf and turf with asparagus, green beans, tomato and butter-infused mashed potatoes.

“What a lovely night for a party,” proclaimed Del Bryant in greeting the crowd. He introduced special guests Sandra Lee from the show Semi Homemade on TV’s Food Network and Chad Kroeger from the band Nickelback. Here are two people I bet you didn’t know were BMI country songwriters – Titans quarterback Kerry Collins and CBS TV newsman Bob Schieffer. Both were also recognized. Del’s introduction of Frances Preston drew the evening’s first standing ovation.

“Songwriters, this is your night; this is your community; this is your home,” Del concluded. Jody Williams and Clay Bradley ably co-hosted the actual awards presentations, assisted by Beth Laird. Yes, she and winning tunesmith Luke Laird have tied the knot. “Welcome to the greatest cocktail party in country music,” quipped Clay.

Folks like Troy Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, Angelo, Wynn Varble and Lee Thomas Miller took to the centrally situated stage one by one. Around the middle of the evening, Del reappeared to laud Billy Sherrill as this year’s BMI Icon. “Billy Sherrill changed the face of country music,” stated Del. The legendary producer has more BMI country awards than any other songwriter. Following a video tribute, Ronnie Dunn sang “The Most Beautiful Girl,” Martina McBride sang “Til I Can Make it on My Own,” George Strait sang “My Elusive Dreams,” and Faith Hill sang “Stand By Your Man.” Billy, himself, led the well-deserved standing ovations for each.

“Thank you very much,” said Billy. “I’m not a big talker. This is overwhelming to me.” “We couldn’t create an award big enough to show how we feel about you,” said Del. “Most of all, we want to thank you for what you’ve done for this community.” Then Del mistakenly dismissed the audience, apparently thinking the night was over, but quickly recovered asking everyone to turn around and stay.

So after Clay and Jody gave out the other half of the awards, the Song of the Year was proclaimed to be “You Belong with Me,” penned by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose. This was Taylor’s third consecutive year to win this honor. Also: She got a custom Martin D-42 guitar for being named Songwriter of the Year.

“It’s been a really emotional week for me,” said Taylor, who’s new Speak Now CD instantly sold a million. “Yesterday, I sang at the funeral of one of my best friends. He was 21. I always sang my songs first for him. So I dedicate this to Jeff Lang. I want to thank everyone in this room who inspires me every day.”

Songwriting and publishing royalty peppered the banquet. Jim Beavers, Brett Beavers, Bob DiPiero, Bobby Pinson, Bobby Braddock, Bobby Rhymer, Bob Doyle, Bobby Tomberlin, George Teren, George Ducas, Tim Mensy, Tim James, Tom Shapiro, Tom Douglas, Tom Botkin, Dean Dillon, Dallas Davidson, Dennis Morgan, Kent Blazy and Cory Batten were sharing the fellowship. So were Pam Rose, Frank Myers, Randy Scruggs, Kye Fleming, Celia Froelig, Tracy Gershon, John Scott Sherrill, Jeffrey Steele and Stephanie Bentley.

Pat Finch was totally elegant in a white, double-lapel dinner jacket with a pale blue dress shirt. Natalie Hemby turned heads in a red cocktail dress. Scott Siman was in a sporty chapeau and tails-out embroidered shirt. Fletcher Foster was in black velvet. Melissa Peirce rocked a strapless white mini dress. Shawn Camp wore a cream-colored fedora. Casey Beathard was in a black western shirt with white embroidery.

During the lengthy ceremony, Jody paused to praise retiring WSIX radio legend Gerry House and The Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher for his the-show-must-go-on response to May’s flood. He also pointed out the music community’s outpouring of support with many flood-relief club shows and concerts.

At 11:00 p.m., we headed back to the BMI lobby to enjoy desserts and the super sound of the Harold Bradley Band. Power couples working the room at various points during the evening included Lari White & Chuck Cannon, Sherrie Austin & Will Rambeaux, David & Carolyn Corlew, Marcus Hummon & Bekka Stevens, Mayor Karl Dean & Anne Davis, Eddie Bayers & Lane Brody, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Beverly Keel & Ronnie Steine and Jon Randall & Jessi Alexander.

Other fabulons vogue-ing about included Luke Lewis, Joe Galante, Gary Overton, Bart Herbison, Kay Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Ron Stuve, Kyle Lehning, Jewel Coburn, Bill Ivey, Jim Free, Chris Horsnell, Mark Wright, Joe Chambers, Michael Knox, Tony Brown, Frank Liddell, Scott Hendricks, Garth Fundis, Ken Robold, John Dorris, Erv Woolsey, Mike Milom, Paul Worley and Whitney Daane.

Taylor Swift Big Winner at BMI Country Music Awards

BMI Icon Billy Sherrill (L) and Taylor Swift with her awards for BMI Songwriter of the Year and Co-writer of BMI Song of the Year, with BMI President Del Bryant (R). (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)

Songwriter of the Year: Taylor Swift
Publisher of the Year: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville
Song of the Year: “You Belong With Me,” written by Liz Rose and Taylor Swift, published by Sony/ATV Tree, Taylor Swift Music, Wagnerville Music
BMI Icon: Billy Sherrill

••••••

Taylor Swift became the youngest person ever to be named BMI Country Songwriter of the Year last night (11/9) at the organization’s annual Country Awards. Swift, 20, earned the award thanks to her self-recorded compositions “Fifteen,” “White Horse” and “You Belong With Me,” as well as “Best Days of Your Life,” recorded by Kellie Pickler.

“You Belong With Me” also earned Swift her third consecutive BMI Country Song of the Year trophy, making her the only songwriter to win the award three years in a row. Co-written with frequent collaborator Liz Rose, the song is published by Sony/ATV Tree, Taylor Swift Music, Orbison Music LLC, and Wagnerville Music.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville earned its ninth consecutive BMI Country Publisher of the Year title at the black-tie event staged at BMI’s Music Row offices.

Ronnie Dunn performs. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)

Billy Sherrill, the father of the contemporary country sound, was named a BMI Icon [see video below]. An all-star tribute paid homage to Sherrill’s genre-shaping work as a producer and songwriter. Ronnie Dunn performed “The Most Beautiful Girl”; Martina McBride delivered “’Til I Can Make It on My Own”; Faith Hill contributed “Stand By Your Man”; and George Strait offered “My Elusive Dreams.” Sherrill has received more BMI Country Awards than any other songwriter in history, and was named BMI Country Songwriter of the 20th Century in 1999.

BMI President & CEO Del Bryant hosted the gala with Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville. Awards were also given to the songwriters and publishers behind country music’s most-performed songs of the past year.

In 2008, Swift became the youngest songwriter to win Country Song of the Year, and earlier this year she became the youngest individual to pen the BMI Pop Song of the Year.

Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)


DISClaimer Single Reviews (11/10/10)

Will the mystery makers please stop?

One of the more frustrating parts of this job is getting an indie record from an unknown that contains almost no information about them on it. I refer to this week’s DisCovery Award winners The English Project. No songwriter, publisher or production info on the disc whatsoever. Don’t you want someone to find you? I know next to nothing about these people, but “614” is the area code for Columbus, Ohio, so you might start your search there

The top award this week is a toughie. Both Taylor Swift and Sugarland are absolutely at the tops of their games, and Darius Rucker isn’t far behind. For sheer sonic creativity, I’m giving Disc of the Day to Sugarland. But by all means, program all three at once.

RACHEL TIMBERLAKE/Honky Tonk Queen
Writer: Rachel Timberlake/Dany White/Brett Stilwell; Producer: Danny White; Publisher: none listed; RT (track) (www.racheltimberlake.com)
—As its title suggests, it’s a hell-raising, beer-drinkin,’ redneck stomper. Unfortunately, the track raises much more of ruckus than her vocal performance.

SUGARLAND/Little Miss
Writer: Jennifer Nettles/Kristian Bush; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush & Jennifer Nettles; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles/Dirkpit, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury Nashville (track)
—Very cool. The production is a whirling, swirling delight with its multiple layers of percussion, keyboards and acoustic guitar. Their voices intertwine beautifully on the choruses, which, by the way, do not contain the title phrase. In a reversal of the ordinary, you’ll find “Little Miss” sprinkled throughout the verses. Wonderfully creative.

LONNIE SPIKER/The Gospel According to Hank
Writer: Lonnie Spiker; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: Den N Dust, ASCAP; Heart of Texas (track) (www.lonniespiker.com)
—The steel-and-fiddle drenched track is country with a capital “C.” And any lyric that drops Hank Williams song titles left and right is okay by me. For all the unreconstructed hillbillies among us.

DARIUS RUCKER/This
Writer: Darius Rucker/Frank Rogers/Kara DioGuardi; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: Universal/Cadaja/House of Sea Gayle/Sunshine Terrace/Bug, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—I thought “Come Back Song” was a perfect little record. This returns Darius to his more familiar domestic-bliss mode. I dig the rapid-fire lyric delivery amid the beefy beats.

KELLY PARKES/Nothing
Writer: Jason Matthews/Lisa Carver/Gwen Sebastian; Producer: Darran Smith, Mike Borchetta & Judy Rodman; Publisher: Steel Wheels/Big Loud Bucks/Matthews Millions/Big Red Tractor/Chugwa Mountain/Midnight Ride, BMI/ASCAP; Lofton Creek/Edge (615-288-4234)
—Her heartbreak delivery is strong and true. The song’s sturdy choruses tremble with pent-up power. She’s gonna dust herself off and move on somehow, because “the only thing wrong to do is Nothing.” A promising debut.

TAYLOR SWIFT/Back to December
Writer: Taylor Swift; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine (track)
—She runs into an old flame and finds herself swallowing her pride and apologizing while strings soar and an electric guitar shudders. The orchestral arrangement is simply sensational, and her delivery aches with believability. All in all, a stunning piece of work.

SYLKIE MONOFF/Laughin’
Writer: Sylkie Monoff; Producer: Sylkie Monoff; Publisher: none listed, GEMA/SESAC; Genuine (track) (www.sylkiemonoff.com)
—She’s a tad pitch-y, on the sharp side. But her production touch and songwriting are both adequate.

CHUCK WICKS/Old School
Writer: Chuck Wicks/Chris Tompkins/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Universal-MGB/CEW/Big Loud Songs/Angel River/Big Loud Bucks/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky, ASCAP/BMI; RCA
—Languid, in a hot summertime kinda way. Is November the right month for something like this? One thing I thought was cute was that he sent it out to reviewers on a cassette tape.

THE ENGLISH PROJECT/Here I Am
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; The English Project (614-348-3044)
—This is an Ohio duo consisting of Lindsey English and Dan O’Connor. Both of them sing quite capably. On this power ballad, she takes a verse, then he does. When they harmonize together, the track swells and crashes around them. Nicely done. Lend this your ears.

FOREST WAYNE ALLEN/Seven Day Bender
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Cabin Creek (www.forestwayneallen.com**)
—He can just barely sing, and the track sounds like a cheap demo.

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith Reunite For Tour

Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith are teaming up for a 20-city tour. It will be their first non-holiday outing together in more than two decades. The 2 Friends tour is slated to kick off in early February.

They are hitting the road in support of their new releases: Grant’s Somewhere Down The Road, and Smith’s Wonder.

The two first toured together in 1982 on Grant’s Age to Age Tour. Smith was Grant’s keyboard player and opening act. They toured together on and off for the rest of the decade.

Combined, Grant and Smith have won nine GRAMMY® Awards and sold more than 47 million albums.

Rascal Flatts Release First Big Machine Album

Rascal Flatts will be making various media appearances to promote the Nov. 16 release of Nothing Like This, their first album for Big Machine Records.

The group will kick off their album launch week with an appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman and the Ellen DeGeneres Show on Monday, Nov. 15.  On Tuesday, Nov. 16 they will perform on the Today Show and The Sean Hannity Show followed by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Wed., Nov. 17.

Rascal Flatts will also be featured on GAC, CMT, Clear Channel’s iHeart Radio Concert Series, AOL Sessions and the Yahoo! RAM Country Performance Series.

For additional information go to www.rascalflatts.com and www.nothinglikethiscd.com.

Josh Kelley Hosts Listening Party For “Georgia Clay”

(L-R): Beverly Keel (UMG Nashville Sr. VP, Artist & Media Relations), Brian Wright (UMGN Sr. VP, A&R), Tom Lord (UMGN VP, Marketing), Luke Lewis (UMGN Chairman & CEO), Josh Kelley (MCA Recording Artist), Ken Robold (UMGN Executive Vice President, General Manager) Photo: Alan Mayor

Josh Kelley shared new music from his debut for MCA Nashville at a lunch and listening party today (11/9). Media and guests gathered at Ben Folds’ studio on Music Row for a first listen of his Georgia Clay project.

The country outing is due in the spring, but in the meantime, UMG is planning the release of a 3-song EP. It will include his lead single “Georgia Clay,” “A Real Good Try,” and “Ain’t Letting Go.”

Kelley told the crowd about coming to Nashville and spending $20,000 to cut a few sides to shop around. He landed at UMG.

Guests dined on a southern picnic feast while taking in Kelley’s record. Newly appointed UMG publicity head Beverly Keel describes it as a very personal and biographical project for Kelley.

Among those in the crowd celebrating the new project was Kelley’s wife, actress Katherine Heigl.

Kelley makes his Grand Ole Opry debut this weekend.

(L-R): Clint Lagerberg (Producer of Georgia Clay), Josh Kelley (MCA Recording Artist), Luke Lewis (UMGN Chairman & CEO), Brian Wright (UMGN Sr. VP, A&R). Photo: Alan Mayor

Photos: Belmont’s Michael Jackson Panel, Louvin Benefit, Radio Remotes

••Jett Williams and Blake Shelton were among the many artists participating in the Music Live! radio remote. Williams is making the media rounds for Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus! Shelton is promoting his latest Six-Pak for Reprise Records.

Blake Shelton and Jett Williams

••On Wed., Nov. 3 Belmont University, in partnership with BMI, hosted a special edition of The Insider’s View, an exclusive roundtable discussion exploring the solo career of Michael Jackson. Featured speakers Frank Dileo, Steve Popovich, Larry Stessel, and Dan Beck all served in strategic positions at Epic Records during Jackson’s unprecedented career from 1975 until his  death in 2009.

(L-R): Belmont’s Director of Development and Major Gifts Harry Chapman (host of the Insider’s View), Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher, Steve Popovich, Larry Stessel, Frank Dileo, Dan Beck and Belmont University’s Dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business Wes Bulla.

••A recent benefit concert for Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Louvin raised over $20,000 to help fund his medical treatment for pancreatic cancer. Alison Krauss performed a set of Louvin Brothers classics, backed by Union Station members Ron Block and Jerry Douglas, as well as Viktor Krauss and Carmella Ramsey.

(L-R): Carmella Ramsey, Ron Block, Alison Krauss, Charlie Louvin, Jerry Douglas, and Viktor Krauss. Photo by: Dan Harr, Music News Nashville

BMI Awards Tonight, CMA Awards Tomorrow

BMI Icon Billy Sherrill

CMA Awards week continues for Music Row revelers. It’s only Tuesday and Bobby Karl has already put in a week’s worth of party-going, check out his column about last night’s SESAC Awards, and other events.

••Many members of the industry are gearing up for tonight’s (11/9) BMI Country Awards. Billy Sherrill will be honored as a BMI Icon at the 58th annual event. To mark the occasion, today’s Wall Street Journal takes a look at the revered music man. The black-tie, invitation-only gala dinner will celebrate the songwriters of the past year’s most-performed country songs from the extensive BMI catalog. Honors will also be handed out for Country Songwriter of the Year, Country Publisher of the Year and Most Performed Country Song of the Year. For those on the guest list: cocktails at 6 PM, dinner at 7 PM.

••Tomorrow night’s (11/10) CMA Awards will be a sold-out show for the second consecutive year. “The 44th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC. For those going to the event, expect traffic adjustments, see details here.

Keith Urban tweeted this picture of yesterday's CMA Awards rehearsal, where he is performing with show co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

Exclusive Online Performances, Including Aldean Tonight

Jason Aldean on Soundcheck.

Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, and LeAnn Rimes are offering exclusive content around the web, as more and more fans flock there for music. As reported yesterday, CMAawards.com will have lots of streaming action, live from tomorrow night’s (11/10) show.

••CMT.com will stream Jason Aldean’s private concert tonight (11/9), live from the Hard Rock Café in Nashville beginning at 8:00 p.m., ET. A pre-party live stream will begin at 6:45 p.m., ET with performances from newcomers Ash Bowers, Crossing Dixon, Thompson Square, James Wesley and Blake Wise. Aldean has also taped a WalMart Soundcheck performance, live from the Chicago House of Blues.

••LeAnn Rimes is debuting her upbeat, tongue-in-cheek song “Crazy Women” on People.com. It hit radio yesterday and will appear on her new album, Lady and Gentlemen, due early next year.

••AOL has premiered a live session with Toby Keith. The series of videos includes a performance of the title track from his new album Bullets in the Gun.

Swift, Cyrus Among Top Earning Females

Forbes’ new ranking of Hollywood’s Highest Earning Women includes Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus.

Swift comes in at No. 9 on the list with estimated earnings of $45 million. Like most entertainers who scored a slot, a significant chunk of her income came from touring and endorsement deals. According to the magazine, she grossed $54 million on tour, and also raked in dough from album sales, downloads, performance royalties, and endorsement deals with Sony and CoverGirl.

Many of the celebs on the list are musicians, and having global appeal helped boost their respective bottom lines.

Cyrus is No. 8 on the list with about $48 million in earnings.

Oprah Winfrey remains queen bee at the top of the ranking. Her $315 million out-earned everyone else in entertainment—male or female.

Forbes asked agents, managers, producers and lawyers for information for the chart, which is based on income between June 1, 2009, and June 1, 2010.