BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 474
BMI Winners
BMI Icon: Vince Gill
Songwriter of the Year: Rhett Akins
Publisher of the Year: Sony-ATV
Song of the Year: “Wagon Wheel”

This year’s 62^nd BMI country awards banquet was an evening-long lovefest for BMI Icon honoree Vince Gill.
The widely beloved songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, humanitarian and all-around great guy was saluted by video segments that repeatedly paused the procession of songwriters and publishers. In the middle of the gala, standing ovations greeted tribute performances by Ashley Monroe (“Whenever You Come Around”), Keith Urban (“I Still Believe in You”), Michael McDonald (“When I Call Your Name”) and a band rave-up (“Little Liza Jane”) with Keith, Ashley, John Hobbs, Paul Franklin and more.

Even Songwriter of the Year winner Rhett Akins gave a shout-out: “Vince, I’m asking you in front of this whole town, will you write songs with me?”
The Publisher of the Year was Sony/ATV. This was the company’s 13th consecutive win and its 38th win throughout BMI history. It published 28 of the night’s 50 most-performed BMI songs.
The Song of the Year winner was “Wagon Wheel,” written by Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor based on a song fragment by SESAC affiliate Bob Dylan. Singer and Secor’s fellow Opry star Darius Rucker joined the happy tunesmith on the BMI stage.

Unlike the other performance-rights banquets, BMI attracts dozens of fans. They gather across the street to cheer the red-carpet arrivals of the awesome number of celebrities who attend this annual fiesta. Let’s try this alphabetically – Gary Allan, Deborah Allen, Bill Anderson, Rodney Atkins, Frankie Ballard, The Band Perry, Lee Brice, Kix Brooks, Marty Brown, Luke Bryan, Billy Burnette, Kristian Bush, Sam Bush, Eric Church, Easton Corbin, Dean Dillon.
There was no one representing the letter “E” (this year), but the parade continued with Florida Georgia Line, Larry Gatlin, Brantley Gilbert, Gill, Gloriana’s Rachel Reinert, Amy Grant, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, J.T. Hodges, Randy Houser and new Valory signee Levi Hummon. No letter “I.” Brett James, Nicole Kidman, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery, Del McCoury, McDonald, Tim McGraw, Shane Minor, Monroe, Justin Moore, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves.

Nashville TV stars Chip Esten, Sam Palladio and Chaly Rose mingled with John Oates, Old Crow’s Secor, Jake Owen, Randy Owen, Lee Roy Parnell, Angaleena Presley and Eric Paslay, plus Rascal Flatts members Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, Thomas Rhett, Rucker, Thom Schuyler, Blake Shelton, Jeffrey Steele, Natalie Stovall, Cole Swindell, Thompson Square, Josh Turner, Urban, Laura Veltz, Clay Walker, The Warren Brothers, Lari White, Holly Williams, Charlie Worsham and Chris Young. Sorry, no “X” or “Z.”
The youngest performer attendee was 10-year-old singing sensation Emi Sunshine, who greeted well wishers in satin. Sandi Spika Borchetta led the red-carpet fashion statements in a skin-tight top and stretch pants with a wide belt, sky-high-heeled boots and a cropped faux-fur jacket with sparkly sleeves. Kimberly Perry was a knockout in a strapless floor-length black gown that flared below the hips into a huge white floral pattern. Nicole Kidman’s black gown was a mini in front and calf-length in back with a high collar, capped sleeves and floral appliques on the bodice. Her red droplet earrings perfectly matched her lipstick.

Trey Fanjoy wore a sequined evening coat over a pewter-toned blouse. Leslie Tomasino DiPiero was sentimentally wearing a scarf that used to belong to BMI’s late, great Frances Preston over her black, Grecian-cut crepe dress. Diane Pearson rocked an ice blue, flared, knee-length peau de soie dress and matching boots. Nicolle Galyon was in draped white chiffon with shoulder cascades. Sylvia Roberts was groovy in black, thigh-high boots with cut-outs, a sequined mesh top over a shift and an overblouse with feathered cuffs. Kacey Musgraves glowed and flowed in a diaphanous peach-toned, layered, floor-length gown. Lori Badgett chose a silver-sequined sheath.
“Welcome to our house,” said BMI’s Jody Williams. “You all look beautiful. This room looks beautiful.”
The BMI parking garage was disguised with creative lighting, mirrored columns, chandeliers, glass globes holding blooms and chains of greenery. Votive-holding candelabra centerpieces entwined with flowers and vines embellished the tables.

“Look at this room!” said BMI CEO Michael O’Neill. “Best parking lot in Nashville!”
“This is the Big Time, and you have arrived,” boasted BMI’s Clay Bradley. “Nashville is diverse, dominant and brilliant, and it’s all because of you.”
Dressed for success were Bobby Pinson in a vivid red jacket, Angelo sporting a wide-brimmed chapeau and Brett James in zipped-up black leather. Rusty Gaston accented his black-on-black look with a white bow tie and pocket handkerchief. Jeffrey Steele was classy in a short, black, western-cut jacket with silver-swoosh darts over a bright blue shirt.

Top honoree Vince Gill was wearing a black cardigan sweater. O’Neill said that listening to Gill was what converted him into being a country fan. Chris Young’s first concert was Vince Gill at Starwood. Charlie Worsham proclaimed Vince his hero and biggest influence.
“You’re a singer’s singer,” said Keith Urban to the Icon. “You’re a guitar player’s guitar player. You’re a songwriter’s songwriter.”
“There are dozens of examples of his generosity that never make the news,” related Jody Williams. “If that’s not an Icon, I don’t know what is.”
“I can’t think of anyone who holds the respect of this town more,” commented Michael McDonald.

“In every sense of the word, Vince Gill embodies what it means to be a BMI Icon,” added O’Neill. He cited the superstar’s 27 BMI songwriting awards, 24 “Million-Air” songs, 20 Grammy Awards, 18 CMA statuettes, five consecutive CMA Male Vocalist wins, Opry membership, Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and 26 million in record sales.
“I’d give all this up if I had to lose so many great friendships,” responded Vince. “That’s been the greatest gift of all.”
Songwriter of the Year Rhett Akins also cited his many songwriting friends/collaborators, including son Thomas Rhett, as well as his brothers. They were his first co-writers, “sitting in my room in Valdosta, playing my guitar….This is like as far away [from that as] from Earth is to Jupiter,” Rhett said. “You could never dream of doing this.

“Last year, I sat out there and won zero awards. This year, I won seven. There’s only 50 of these given out every year….To all you songwriters who didn’t win tonight, write your butts off. You never know what could happen.” His seven winners were “Point at You” (Justin Moore), “Parking Lot Party” (Lee Brice), “Boys ‘Round Here” (Blake Shelton), “I Can Take it From There” (Chris Young), “Hey Girl” (Billy Currington), “It Goes Like This” (Thomas Rhett) and “When She Says Baby” (Jason Aldean).
Taking it all in were Tony Brown, Tony Conway, John Lytle, John Ingrassia, Joe Galante, Joey Moi, Even Stevens, Steve & Ree Guyer-Buchanan, Steve Lowery, Kay West, Wes Vause, Will Rambeaux, Bill Denny, Billy Falcon, Rose Falcon, Chuck Cannon, Carson Chamberlain, Luke Laird, Dallas Davidson, Scott Stem, Fred Foster, Frank Rogers, Ken Levitan, Kevin Neal, Kerry O’Neill and Larry McCormack.

We dined on stuffed shrimp, beef tenderloin with gravy, au gratin potatoes, asparagus and cherry tomatoes. All was tasty to such industry mavens as Recording Academy national execs Neil Portnow and Nancy Shapiro, the NMPA’s David Israelite, music-biz Washington insider Jim Free and Music Row’s Byron & Missy Gallimore, Jewel Coburn & Jason Morris, David & Karen Conrad, Marion Kraft, Rose Drake, Mark Wright, Blake Chancey, Larry Fitzgerald, B.J. Hill, Jordan Powell, Scott Borchetta and Tracy Gershon.
It was a good night for female tunesmiths. In addition to Kacey, Miranda, Nicolle Galyon, Kimberly Perry and Laura Veltz, the likes of Connie Harrington, Sarah Buxton and Lori McKenna picked up awards. So did Rodney Clawson, Lee Thomas Miller, Paul Jenkins and dozens more. Heritage songwriters in attendance included Dennis Morgan, Bob DiPiero, Gerry House, Hugh Prestwood, Rory Bourke and Roger Murrah.
Once again, the great Harold Bradley led his A-Team band to entertain one and all during dessert in the BMI lobby.

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
 Chapter 473

ASCAP is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year, and appropriately, its 2014 country awards banquet looked backward as well as forward.
The performance-rights society honored superstar Alan Jackson with a Heritage Award recognizing him as its top country songwriter-artist of the past century. “From his dearest friends to his millions of fans, he is…The Real Deal,” said presenter Connie Bradley.
“I’m just a singer of simple songs,” responded the ever-humble Alan. “I just came here to sing country music. I’ve had so much help along the way. I’m just overwhelmed by all of this.” He thanked his steadfast wife, author Denise Jackson, and added, “I’m just an ol’ country boy who’s had a lot of blessin.’”
Chris Oglesby saluted Craig Wiseman with a Heritage Award as ASCAP’s top country songwriter of its first 100 years. “His lyrics connected with fans,” said Chris. “He writes what he knows…and hits America right in the heart.”
“Oh my God,” Craig stammered as he began to weep in acceptance. “Everybody I’ve ever written a song with in this room, please stand.” Dozens did. “I don’t know what to say. God bless Nashville, Tennessee.” He recalled coming to Music City in 1985, living in his van and grabbing free showers at the KOA Campground near Opryland. “God is great. Nashville is great. You guys are great. I am honored beyond words.”

“Bro country” ruled ASCAP’s contemporary awards. The Thomas Rhett hit “It Goes Like This” won Song of the Year for co-writers Jimmy Robbins and Ben Hayslip. With nine No. 1 songs in the year, Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year.
“Nashville is just an awesome town,” said Ashley. “It’s one big friendship.”
Publisher of the Year Warner-Chappell Music has both a distinguished history as a heritage firm as well as loads of contemporary country activity. No foolin’ — the company garnered 19 citations during the banquet. ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento presented its award.
The banquet took place Monday evening (11/3) in the Music City Center’s grand ballroom. Star gazing was abundant – Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Kip Moore, Brett Eldredge, Brandy Clark, Eric Paslay, Chris Young (“double dipping” this year as an awardee at both ASCAP and BMI), Billy Currington, Charles Kelley & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Jerrod Niemann all mingled at the soiree. Lynn Anderson was on the arm of songwriter Mentor Williams.
Past and present record makers Radney Foster, Jim Photoglo, Blackstone Cherry, Fred Knobloch, Lane Brody, Monty Holmes, David Lee Murphy, Phil Vassar, Rhett Akins, new Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Gretchen Peters, Desmond Child, Neil Thrasher, Richard Young of The Kentucky HeadHunters, Brett James and Jason Sellers also worked the room. Lee Ann Womack began the awards ceremony by performing the gorgeous acoustic gem “Send It On Down.”
In a nice touch, up-and-coming artists introduced the five top ASCAP country songs of the year. Maddie & Tae did the honors for “Don’t Ya.” The Cadillac Three set up “Crash My Party.” John King introduced “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight.” The Swon Brothers talked up “Friday Night.” Sam Hunt was the guest presenter for the Song of the Year winner “It Goes Like This.” Each of the five was performed by its writer or writers.

ASCAP President Paul Williams opened the ceremony. “I love Nashville,” he said. “I come full circle in this town….ASCAP is home to country music’s greatest songwriters and publishers.” This was its 52nd country-awards ceremony. Our own Vincent Candilora presented ASCAP’s Partners in Music award to Mike Grimes and Dave Brown of the Nashville alt-nightspot The Basement.
Various other ASCAP execs also presented. Most of the honors were passed out by the Nashville office’s gracious leaders, LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin. We love them.
The fabulons gathered at a pre-awards cocktail hour, where they were served barbeque chicken salad in cornbread boats, bacon fried shrimp and filo pastry stuffed with brie and walnuts. Pat Alger, Patrick Clifford, Mike Dungan, Mike Hollandsworth, Mike Dekle, Michael Knox, Doug Casmus, Doug Johnson, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Dave Berg, David Crow, David Corlew, Mark Brown, Mark Ford, Mark Irwin, Mark D. Sanders, Ed Morris, Eddie Bayers, Dale Bobo, Dale Dodson, Chris DuBois, Chris Tompkins, Chris Farren, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear, Josh Osborne, John Ozier, Jon Nite, John Huie and John Titta were stirred in the mix.
Dinner began with spring greens, sun-dried tomatoes, golden raisins and candied pecans salad. The main course was beef tenderloin medallion with crab cake, French green beans, slivered squash and fingerling potatoes. Chess pie plus berries and whipped cream were served for dessert.
Norbert Nix, Maurice Miner and Dallas Davidson dined alongside Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Bud & Janice Wendell, Ralph Peer, Pete Fisher, Darrell Brown, Shelby Kennedy, Wayland Holyfield and Frank Liddell.
As usual, ASCAP was a fashion parade. Did somebody send out a memo about black lace? Celia Froehlig, Cyndi Hoelzle, Alicia Warwick and Becky Harris all wore it, with the last-named looking especially groovy with her leopard-print high heels and matching-patterned pendant. Brittany A. Shaffer turned heads in a blue-sequined sheath. Jessi Alexander was very pretty in a flowing red, floral, floor-length “hippie” gown, accessorized by her handsome hubby Jon Randall Stewart.
Ben Vaughn’s electric-blue cravat stood out on his black-on-black outfit. Craig Wiseman wore a dapper tan jacket over his customary Hawaiian shirt. Butch Baker swapped his usual vintage brocade tux jacket for a textured gray suit. “I’m starting the bolo-tie movement,” he proclaimed, promising that he’d lined up several gents to emulate his neckwear at the BMI banquet.
The MCC ballroom where ASCAP was staged is an awesome visual spectacle. Its front, rear, sides and ceiling are all covered in positioned panels of wood, so it feels like you are inside a massive guitar. There are no columns. You don’t need much décor in a breath-taking space like this. Dramatic black tablecloths draped the round tables, with blue hydrangeas and white roses in centerpiece bouquets. The stage was trimmed with floor-to-ceiling white drapes and pierced by red and chartreuse pin spotlights.
Herky Williams, Jim Catino, Ralph Murphy, Allen Shamblin, Allison Brown Jones (in beyond-stiletto gold heels), Andrew Kintz, Tommy Rocco, Tim Nichols, Terry Wakefield, Teresa George, Hank Adam Locklin, Kevin Lamb, Van Tucker, bolo-wearing Julian King, Barry Coburn, Dan Keen, Walter Campbell, Garth Fundis, Kyle Young, Bart Herbison, Debbie Carroll, Kelley Lovelace and Shane McAnally were among the approximately 800 who gazed in wonder.