ASCAP Awards
Congratulations to last night’s ASCAP awards winners! John Rich won his 3rd consecutive Songwriter/Artist of the Year award, some of his big hits for this past year included “8th of November”, “Amarillo Sky”, Sunshine and Summertime”, and “Why”. Craig Wiseman (gotta love those Hitmen of Music Row!!!) won his 3rd Songwriter of the Year awards, having co-written the hits “Hillbilly Deluxe” (which I personally loved), “Something’s Gotta Give”, and “Summertime”. Mr. Wiseman was sparkly in a Manual-designed vest adorned with blue rhinestones–what else are you gonna wear in Nashvegas?!
Song of the Year honors were shared between “Before He Cheats”, which was performed by Carrie Underwood (for those folks living under a rock), and written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, published by Big Loud Shirt, Might Under Dog Music, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows), performed by Rodney Atkins, and written by Dave Berg, published by BergBrain Music and Cal IV Entertainment.
Kenny Rogers won an ASCAP Golden Note Award, some of the previous winners include luminaries such as Garth Brooks, Tom Petty, and Stevie Wonder. During the ceremony, Chris Stapleton, Rivers Rutherford, and Don Schlitz (who penned Roger’s classic cut “The Gambler”, which he rode to #1 in 1978 and is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member) sang some of Roger’s hits. Rogers then turned the tables and surprised Schlitz with ASCAP’s Creative Achievement Award.
The year’s five most performed songs were “Before He Cheats”, “If You’re Going Through Hell”, “Summertime”, “The World”, and “Give It Away”. Writers who received multiple awards: Dierks Bentley, Dave Berg, Brett James, Kelley Lovelace, Tony Mullins (another Hitman of Music Row!!), Tim Owens, Brad Paisley (love him), John Rich, Jeremy Stover, Phil Vassar, and Craig Wiseman.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing won publisher of the year for hits like “Beer in Mexico” (Mr. Chesney took a break and stopped by, as always), “Before He Cheats”, “I Loved Her First”, and “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”.
And the fabulous and so generous Amy Kurland and the Bluebird Cafe received an honor in recognition of 25 years of showcasing songs and songwriters. Kudos to Amy!!
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