CMA Awards 2018: Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves Top Award Winners

/by

Keith Urban took home his second CMA Entertainer of the Year honor Wednesday evening (Nov. 14); Urban previous took home the honor in 2005.

Chris Stapleton earned three honors during the evening. Stapleton and Mike Henderson took home the first televised award of the evening, as “Broken Halos” took home Song of the Year. The song also took home Single of the Year honors. Stapleton also earned Male Vocalist of the Year, marking his fourth win in the category.

Kacey Musgraves had a golden moment as her album Golden Hour was named Album of the Year, on the very day she celebrated her 10th year in Nashville. Musgraves was the only female in the Album of the Year category; she produced Golden Hour alongside Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian.

Awards show co-host Carrie Underwood took home her fifth Female Vocalist of the Year honor.

Meanwhile, Luke Combs‘ career surge continued as he picked up the New Artist of the Year honor. Old Dominion earned the Vocal Group of the Year honor, while Brothers Osborne took home Vocal Duo of the Year.

Mac McAnally earned his 10th CMA honor of Musician of the Year, breaking a record previously held by Chet Atkins.

Earlier in the day on Wednesday (Nov. 14), Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy earned the Musical Event of the Year honor for “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” while Thomas Rhett and director TK McKamy won the Music Video of the Year honor for “Marry Me.”

CMA Awards 2018 Winners (Marked in Red).

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

New Artist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))

“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
Producer: Michael Knox
Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun

“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Willshire
Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan+Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton

Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Kacey Musgraves

Graffiti U – Keith Urban
Producers: Keith Urban, Dan McCarroll, J.R. Rotem, Josh Kerr, Jason Evigan, Greg Wells, Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins, Oscar Holter, Matt Rad, Eric Valentine, Ian Kirkpatrick, Mike Elizondo, Captain Cuts, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff, Peter Karlsson

Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett

The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart, Arturo Buenahora Jr.

Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“Body Like A Back Road”
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

“Broken Halos”
Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

“Drowns the Whiskey”
Songwriters: Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson

“Drunk Girl”
Songwriters: Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson

“Tequila”
Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion

Musical Event of the Year
“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley ft. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate,” Maren Morris ft. Vince Gill
“Drowns The Whiskey,” Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney
“Meant To Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line

Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Director(s))

“Babe” – Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift)
Director: Anthony Mandler

“Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
Director: Randee St. Nicholas

“Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson
Director: Jeff Venable

“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director: Patrick Tracy

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar

Artist Updates: Anderson East, Little Big Town, Matthew West, LOCASH, Thompson Square, Abby Anderson

/by

Anderson East Sets Tour Dates For 2019

Anderson East will continue his Encore World Tour in 2019 with stops at Columbus’ Newport Music Hall, Cleveland’s House of Blues, Indianapolis’ The Vogue, Louisville’s Mercury Ballroom and Charlottesville’s Jefferson Theatre among several others. Tickets for the newly announced shows go on sale this Friday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. local time.

 

Little Big Town’s Four Cellars Wine Coming To Longhorn Steakhouse, Yard House

Little Big Town

Select wines from Four Cellars by Little Big Town are now available in LongHorn Steakhouse and Yard House restaurants nationwide. At LongHorn Steakhouse, the band’s Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon will be featured by the glass. With more than 500 locations in 41 states, Longhorn is known for quality and serving legendary steaks.

The band’s Cabernet Sauvignon will also be available by the glass at Yard House. With more than 70 locations, Yard House is known for made-from-scratch food, music, and an endless fleet of beers and specialty cocktails.
Four Cellars by Little Big Town was created in partnership with Browne Family Vineyards located in the heart of Walla Walla, Wash., in 2016. The band partnered with proprietor Andrew Browne to launch two debut varietals, the 2015 Chardonnay and the 2014 Red Blend, last winter.

Matthew West, LOCASH, Thompson Square, Abby Anderson Set For National Christmas Tree Lighting

Matthew West, Abby Anderson, LOCASH and Thompson Square have been announced as a performer at the 96th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting. The National Christmas Tree Lighting is co-presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation. This American tradition also features special guests and the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park (White House).
2018 performers will also include Anthony Kearns, Dominican Sisters of Mary a.k.a. “Caroling Angels,” Gabby Barrett, Paul Cardall, Spensha Baker, and the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”

APRA AMCOS’ Nashville Office Supports Rise As Australian Artists, Writers Find Nashville Success

/by

Morgan Evans. Photo: Morgan Evans/Instagram

Australasian performing rights organization APRA AMCOS opened a Nashville office in 2017. The 95,000-member strong organization supports Australian songwriters, composers and music publishers, in a similar capacity to rights organizations such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

The launch of a Nashville office (located at workspace InDo Nashville) is timely, given that the influence of Australians on today’s country music is only deepening.

Aussie-bred, Nashville-based Morgan Evans, who signed with Warner Music Nashville in 2017, earned his first No. 1 single in the U.S. with “Kiss Somebody.”

For Evans, his involvement with APRA AMCOS provided several essential opportunities as he moved to Nashville and steadily built his career.

APRA AMCOS offers songwriter retreats, called Song Hubs; it was one of these retreats where Evans met songwriter-producer Chris DeStefano, who would become the co-producer and main co-writer for Evans’ debut album on Warner Music Nashville

In 2013, Evans also benefited from his association with APRA AMCOS via the organization’s Professional Development Awards, a funding support initiative that awarded Evans upward of $15,000 toward his first year spent pursuing his career in Nashville.

Fellow Aussie songwriter Lindsay Rimes earned a No. 1 hit as a co-writer on Kane Brown’s streaming juggernaut “Heaven.” Rimes, along with Morgan, are both co-writers on Dylan Scott’s single, “Hooked,” during another Song Hubs retreat. Australian duo Seaforth, including Mitchell Thompson and Tom Jordan, recently signed a deal with Sony Music Nashville.

Meanwhile, Kylie Sackley has earned cuts with Sam Hunt and co-wrote Walker Hayes’ single “You Broke Up With Me.”

Australia native Phil Barton earned his first No. 1 with Lee Brice’s “Woman Like You,” and was named Music Row’s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year in 2012. He also penned songs for Dustin Lynch and LOCASH.

Mark Moffatt, a 22-year veteran of Nashville and APRA AMCOS’ Nashville artist relations representative, has been instrumental in helping Nashville newcomers get to know others in the Nashville community.

Moffatt estimates that in the past four years, he’s seen the number of Australia natives making their way to Nashville to be part of Music City’s creative community rise from 30 to 110 each year.

Moffatt says one reason for the uptick is simply the infrastructure of support and opportunity Nashville offers.

“There is no radio or real infrastructure for country music artists in Australia, but there is a lot of talent,” Moffatt tells MusicRow.

The commitment to working in Nashville demands both extraordinary time and travel; the distance from Nashville to one of Australia’s largest cities spans more than 9,000 miles.

There is also the disparity between how various genres of music are perceived.

“In Australia, Kasey Chambers can be pop, country and Americana Artist of the Year. It’s much harder to do something like that here. That’s one thing Australian artist have to decide when they come here—what kind of artist do you want to be?”

However, today’s artists are encouraged and emboldened by artists including CMA Entertainer of the Year winner Keith Urban, who has earned 21 No. 1 songs in his career.

Fellow Aussie triple-threat, singer/writer/guitarist Jedd Hughes launched his U.S. career as an artist on MCA Nashville, and later briefly as part of the duo Buxton Hughes with writer Sarah Buxton. He’s co-wrote Sarah Jarosz’s Grammy-winning “House Of Mercy,” as well as Urban’s hit “Put You In A Song.” Others, including Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Robinson, and the aforementioned Americana Music Association’s Vanguard Award winner Chambers have steadily added to the list.

Warner Music Nashville Celebrates Awards Week With Label Party

/by

Pictured: Cole Swindell, Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, Ashley McBryde.

Warner Music Nashville artists and staff kicked off awards week last night (Nov. 13) at Chairman & CEO John Esposito‘s annual cocktail party, hosted at the WMN label home on Music Row. Attendees, who spanned the entirety of the roster, included BMI honorees Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell and Devin Dawson, BMI and CMA triple-nominee Chris Janson and CMA multi-nominees Dan + Shay.

Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito and Chris Janson.

Morgan Evans with Hunter Hayes.

Cody Johnson with William Michael Morgan.

Cole Swindell, Dan+Shay’s Dan Smyers, and Michael Ray

Sony Completes Acquisition Of EMI Music Publishing

/by

Sony Corporation of America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation (“Sony”), completed the acquisition of the entirety of the approximately 60 percent equity interest held by the investor consortium led by Mubadala Investment Company in DH Publishing, L.P. (“EMI”), which owns and manages EMI Music Publishing on Nov. 14, 2018.

The equity purchase price totaled $2.3 billion, based on an enterprise value of $4.75 billion. As a result of this acquisition, EMI has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony and will be merged into Sony/ATV. This acquisition follows the previously announced signing of a definitive agreement on June 29, 2018.

As a result of this acquisition, Sony expects to record additional operating income of approximately 105 billion yen, representing a non-cash step-up gain for the approximately 40 percent equity interest in EMI that Sony already owned and reflecting costs relating to the acquisition, in the Music segment in the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. Sony also assumed EMI’s existing interest-bearing debt of approximately $1.3 billion as a result of this acquisition, of which $0.96 billion was repaid immediately from Sony’s existing cash.

The expected impact of this transaction on Sony’s consolidated results has already been incorporated into the forecast for consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, as announced on October 30, 2018. As previously announced, Sony is currently evaluating the income tax expense expected to result from the closing of this transaction.

Spotify, SoundGirls Launch Database Of Female Audio Professionals

/by

Spotify has teamed with nonprofit organization SoundGirls to launch the EQL Directory, a global database of professionals that seeks to amplify the careers and achievements of women working in music and audio. It is estimated that less than five percent of all audio professionals are women, a stat that nonprofit SoundGirls looks to challenge and change.

“[We] face the myth that there are not very many women or non-conforming people working in audio, and because of this people don’t even bother to look. The EQL Directory proves that this is not true,” says Karrie Keyes, co-founder of SoundGirls and Pearl Jam’s long-time sound engineer.

As of this writing, the EQL Directory lists approximately 20 audio production professionals in the Nashville area. Any person can add their name and information to the database.

“SoundGirls already had this global directory of women in audio and production, and we came together to help them make it more beautiful, more useful, and more visible within the industry,” says Kerry Steib, Spotify’s Director of Social Impact. “We know that increasing equity for women in these fields is a complex problem to solve. We have to work with great partners across the industry and come together to create solutions.”

Visitors to the EQL Directory can also find resources from initiatives and organizations like the Audio Engineering Society, Beatz By Girlz, Equalizer Project, female:pressure, Gender Amplified, Girls Make Beats, Instituto Criar, Secret Genius, shesaid.so, SoundGirls in Mexico, The 7% Series, Upfront Producer Network, Yorkshire Sound Women Network, and the Women’s Audio Mission.

The EQL Directory is one of many initiatives Spotify has developed to support equity in the audio industry. In August, the service created three full-time residencies as part of its Secret Genius and Spotify studios to support career development for female studio engineers. The Equalizer Project has hosted networking dinners and a recent Producer Camp in Sweden. Meanwhile, The SoundUp Bootcamp, an accelerator program for aspiring podcasters in underserved communities, has been launched in the U.S., UK, and Australia.

 

Jeff Davis Joins Aaron Watson’s BIG Label Records For Northeast Promotion

/by

Radio and record industry veteran Jeff Davis has joined Aaron Watson’s BIG Label Records for northeast promotion and marketing.

Davis was most recently at Red Bow Records where he was Director of Northeast Promotions, and he also has previous stops at Cold River, Country Thunder and elsewhere. He also spent 18 years at radio with stints in Gainesville, Daytona, Charlotte, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.

“I’ve known Jeff for ages going back to his early radio days,” said BIG Label head Tony Morreale. “He’s passionate about music and radio and hustles to make things happen. He joins us at the perfect time to set up Aaron Watson’s continued ascent in 2019 and as we broaden the roster.”

“I am extremely honored to be asked to join this awesome team,” said Davis. “I’ve known, and respected all that Tony has accomplished for years, and couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the BIG Label family and all that its future has in store!”

Davis will be based in Nashville and can be reached at 615-260-4975 or jeff@biglabel.net.

iHeartMedia Announces Post-Chapter 11 Board Of Directors

/by

iHeartMedia has revealed the members selected to serve on its Board of Directors upon its emergence from Chapter 11.

Subject to confirmation of the Company’s Plan of Reorganization, the Board’s Directors will include:

Bob Pittman, Chairman of the Board of Directors: Mr. Pittman is the current CEO and Board Chairman of iHeartMedia. Mr. Pittman was formerly COO of AOL Time Warner, Inc. after serving as President and COO of America Online, Inc. Mr. Pittman also served as the CEO of MTV Networks and was the Cofounder and programmer who led the team that created MTV.

Jay Rasulo, Lead Independent Director: Mr. Rasulo was formerly an executive at Walt Disney Company from 1986 through 2015, having spent his last five years at Disney as the CFO and Senior Executive Vice President. During his tenure at Walt Disney, among other roles, he served as the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Mr. Rasulo is a graduate of Columbia University and received his MA & MBA from the University of Chicago.

Gary Barber: Mr. Barber served as the Chairman and CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) from 2010 through March 2018. Prior to his role at MGM, he was the Cofounder of Spyglass Entertainment, which he founded in 1998. Mr. Barber received his undergraduate and post graduate degrees from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Rich Bressler: Mr. Bressler is the current President, COO and CFO of iHeartMedia. Before joining iHeart, Mr. Bressler was a Managing Director at THL. Prior to joining THL, Mr. Bressler’s experience included serving as Senior Executive Vice President and CFO of Viacom, Inc., as Chairman and CEO of Time Warner Digital Media, and as Executive Vice President and CFO of Time Warner Inc.

Brad Gerstner: Mr. Gerstner is the Founder and CEO of Altimeter Capital, an internet, software, and travel focused investment firm founded in 2008. Prior to launching Altimeter, Mr. Gerstner was the Cofounder of three internet search start-ups. Mr. Gerstner received his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Sean Mahoney: Mr. Mahoney is a private investor. He currently serves as a director at two public companies, Aptiv plc and Arconic Inc., and at post-bankruptcy Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. His prior board service includes Delphi Automotive plc and Formula One Holdings. Mr. Mahoney was a partner at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he headed the Financial Sponsors Group, and Vice Chairman, Global Banking, at Deutsche Bank Securities. Mr. Mahoney is a graduate of the University of Chicago and Oxford University, which he attended on a Rhodes Scholarship.

Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan: Ms. Sivaramakrishnan is the founder and CEO of Drawbridge, a company focused on designing quantitative algorithms for numerous areas, including computational advertising. Prior to founding Drawbridge, Ms. Sivaramakrishnan was a Senior Research Scientist at AdMob which was acquired by Google in 2010. Ms. Sivaramakrishnan has her Ph.D. from Stanford University.

“We are excited about both the depth and range of our new Board members,” said Pittman. “We know our ability to draw on the experience of this unique combination of leaders in their respective fields will give us an unparalleled competitive advantage as we build our next level of growth.”

iHeartMedia’s current Board of Directors will remain in place until the company emerges from Chapter 11, at which time the new Board will assume its responsibilities.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Jesse Frasure, Steve Cropper Honored At BMI Country Awards

/by

Pictured (L-R): Mike Steinberg, Jesse Frasure, Mike O’Neill and Jody Williams. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Music and emotions ran high at this year’s BMI Awards banquet on Music Row Tuesday night (Nov. 13).

Jesse Frasure was named the organization’s Country Songwriter of the Year, thanks to “No Such Thing As a Broken Heart,” “Marry Me,” “A Girl Like You,” “Unforgettable” and “Ring On Every Finger.”

“He has transformed the sound of modern country music,” stated BMI’s Jody Williams. “I am so proud of this guy.”

“This is a little bit surreal,” Jesse told the crowd. “I came from the Vanderbilt Breast Clinic today. My wife [Stevie] had a double mastectomy three weeks ago, and she’s here, looking stunning. And she’s cancer-free. She’s a bad-ass, and I wouldn’t be here without her.

“This is the most amazing community. There’s so many people who make this possible along the way. I love you guys.” He particularly cited BMI attendees Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett. Another star, Jay-Z, saluted him via video, because of the songwriter’s association with Rhythm House Music.

Pictured (L-R): BMI Vice President Creative Jody Williams, John Legend, Steve Cropper and BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

There was this one more Jesse Frasure shout out: “Steve Cropper, I’m honored to be in the same room with you.”

He was referring to this year’s BMI Icon honoree. Throughout the evening, Cropper was saluted with performances that recognized his contributions as a guitarist, songwriter and/or producer.

Mike Farris and Lucie Silvas turned in a barn-burning medley of “Soul Man”/”Hold On I’m Coming,” featuring Cropper’s iconic guitar riffs being played by Kenny Greenberg.

Recording artist Maggie Rose performs onstage at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Maggie Rose sang a sizzling “Midnight Hour.” Why can’t the industry find a place for this talented woman? Luke Combs was a bruising brawler on “Knock On Wood.” He’s never sounded better. John Legend’s smooth, sultry performance of “Dock of the Bay,” again with Greenberg on guitar, was the capper.

BMI’s Mike O’Neill said, “It is my absolute honor, my absolute privilege, to honor Steve Cropper. He’s deeply influenced songwriters and musicians.” Mike noted Steve’s membership in the Rock, Songwriters and Musician Halls of Fame, as well as his Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. “The Smithsonian is displaying Steve Cropper’s guitars, because he shaped American music.”

Among those saluting Cropper via video were Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives, Charlie Daniels, Ringo Starr and Garth Brooks.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Keith Urban, UMPG’s Kent Earls, and BMI’s Mason Hunter onstage at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

The honoree’s commemorative Icon silver bucket was inscribed, “for your unique and indelible influence on a generation of music makers.”

“An Icon Award is a big deal,” said Cropper. “God bless you guys for coming, and thank you so much.

“The tears will not stop flowing. Goodnight, Otis, wherever you are.” “Dock of the Bay,” which Steve Cropper wrote with Otis Redding, has been performed more than 11 million times.

BMI’s Song of the Year award went to “In Case You Didn’t Know,” penned by Tyler Reeve and Trent Tomlinson, who accepted alongside collaborator and performer Brett Young.

Luke Combs performs onstage at the BMI Country Awards 2018 at BMI Nashville on November 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Brett was among a bevy of record makers who attended. Others included Maren Morris, LoCash, Mac McAnally, Dustin Lynch, John Oates, Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Charlie Worsham, Maddie & Tae, Chris Lane, Levi Hummon, T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, Charles Kelley (Lady A), Chris Janson, RaeLynn, Bekka Bramlett, Chris Young, Luke Bryan, Abby Anderson, Michael Ray, Phillip Sweet (LBT), Granger Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Sisterhood, Cole Swindell, Lanco, TJ Osborne (Brothers Osborne), Scotty McCreery, Carly Pearce, Keith Urban, Deborah Allen, The Warren Brothers and Frankie Ballard.

Earning their first BMI awards were Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Mike Henderson (The Kingsnakes, The Bluebloods), Russell Dickerson, Walker Hayes, Devin Dawson and Cameron Duddy (Midland). In fact, among the credits of the 50 hits honored were 25 first-time songwriter winners.

Others first-timers included Ben Stennis, Keesy Timmer, Brandon Lancaster, Trent Harmon, Kyle Fishman, Joshua Miller, Taylor Phillips and Thomas Marc Archer. On the other side of the spectrum were Rhett Akins, winning his 34th BMI Award, and Rodney Clawson, winning his 32nd BMI Award.

Recording artists Karen Fairchild and Maren Morris attend the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

The BMI parking garage was transformed into a wonderland, thanks to glittering, multi-tiered chandeliers and multi-hued indirect lighting. Tall, hydrangea-encrusted arches framed the entryways. Tables were set with elegant, black satin tablecloths. Massed lilies and roses were in huge centerpieces surrounded by glowing tea lights.

It felt like sitting in a meat locker, however. I wore a turtleneck and a scarf with my tux. I felt sorry for the young women garbed in skin-baring evening gowns. Ed Morris warmed his hands over the table’s tiny tea-light flames.

As usual, attendees worked the room like madcaps. BMI always has a huge schmooze factor, to the extent that the hosts have to continually ask the crowd to tone it down so that we could hear what was transpiring on stage.

Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, and Jess Carson at the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

Biz mavens there included Ron Stuve, Blake Chancey, Randy Goodman, Shane Tarleton, Paul Worley, Leslie Fram, Liz Rose, David & Karen Conrad, Randy Talmadge & Trav Livingston, Scott & Sandi Spika Borchetta, David & Susana Ross, Mike Vaden, Storme Warren, Lynn Oliver-Cline, Tony Brown, Allen Brown, Wes Vause, Kelly Sutton, Jessie Schmidt, Mark Wright and Whitney Daane.

Not the least of these was Ben Vaughn, who led his Warner-Tamerlane staff to the stage to collect BMI’s 2018 Country Publisher of the Year Award. The company was behind 20 of the 50 hits honored. The same pubbery won at ASCAP the night before, so here’s a toast to twin victories.

We dined on beef medallions with gravy, asparagus, braised carrots and absolutely delicious scalloped potatoes. Desserts were served in the BMI lobby after the ceremony.

Pictured (L-R): Rodney Clawson, Thomas Rhett and Rhett Akins attend the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Enjoying the repast were Dennis Quaid, Chris Wallace, Rita Wilson, Scott Hamilton, Rory Bourke, Layng Martine, Jeffrey Steele, Even Stevens and Jerry Crutchfield. Mike O’Neill made a point to single out former Icon awardees Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Mac Davis and Bob DiPiero. He also offered a shout-out to Lee Thomas Miller, who campaigned for the Music Modernization Act. So did Bart Herbison and David Israelite, who drew standing ovations.

“The way Nashville embraces music and the way all of you support one another is truly unique,” said O’Neill. “Country music is special.”

BMI distributes $1.1 billion annually in royalties, more than any other PRO in the world. The BMI country honors were launched in 1953 as Nashville’s first music awards.

Pictured: Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell attend the 66th Annual BMI Country Awards. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Lauren Alaina attends the BMI Country Awards 2018 at BMI Nashville on November 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

Pictured (L-R): BMI President/CEO Mike O’Neill, recording artist Chris Young and BMI Vice President, Creative, Jody Williams attend the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Kenny Chesney, David Lee Murphy, Thomas Rhett Earn Early CMA Award Wins

/by

Two CMA Awards category wins were announced Wednesday morning (Nov. 14). Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy earned Musical Event of the Year for “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” The song marked Murphy’s first No. 1 single since 1995’s “Dust On The Bottle.”

Chesney is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year.

Meanwhile, Thomas Rhett earned Music Video of the Year for his clip “Marry Me,” which was directed by TK McKamy (the award goes to both artist and director). Thomas Rhett is nominated for two additional honors tonight including Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (Life Changes).

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards airs live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.