Nashville, Tenn., November 6, 2011: ASCAP hosted its 49th annual Country Music Awards on November 6, 2011, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The writers of country music's most performed songs of the period between April 2010 and March 2011 were honored before an audience of many of Nashville's most distinguished songwriters, top country stars and music industry leaders. Special tribute was paid to Don Williams, who was honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award, as well as the Civil Wars, who received the ASCAP Vanguard Award.
The evening's top honors were awarded to the following:
ASCAP Songwriter of the Year: Ben Hayslip
ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year: Brad Paisley
ASCAP Country Song of the Year: "The House That Built Me," written by Allen Shamblin; published by Built On Rock
ASCAP Publisher of the Year: Sea Gayle Music
A total of 36 song honors were handed out while interspersed with very special performances by the writers of the year's Top 5 most performed songs. Performances included "All Over Me," by Ben Hayslip and Josh Turner; "Gimmie That Girl," by Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson (recorded by Joe Nichols); "The House That Built Me," by Allen Shamblin (recorded by Miranda Lambert); "The Man I Want To Be," performed by Brett James, Tim Nichols and Chris Young; and "Roll With It," by Tony Lane and Johnny Park (recorded by Easton Corbin). The show kicked off with 2010 ASCAP Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Dierks Bentley, performing his current single, "Home."
In addition, a special musical tribute to Don Williams included performances by Keith Urban, joined by Little Big Town, who honored Williams with his rendition of "We've Got a Good Fire Goin'," Lee Ann Womack, performing "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good," as well as the honoree himself, who delighted the audience with a surprise performance.
ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams and ASCAP Writer Board Member Wayland Holyfield presented Don Williams with ASCAP's Golden Note Award, which heralds Williams for his "universal lyrics, heartfelt melodies and human touch [which] have earned him an extraordinary place in American popular music." ASCAP's Golden Note Award is presented to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include Garth Brooks, Lindsey Buckingham, Alan Jackson, Quincy Jones, Reba McEntire, JD Souther, Stevie Wonder, André Previn and Tom Petty, among others.
Paul Williams and ASCAP Vice President and General Manager, Nashville, Marc Driskill presented Ben Hayslip with his first ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year award. Hayslip was responsible for penning five of the most performed songs of the past year: "All About Tonight" (Blake Shelton), "All Over Me" (Josh Turner), "Farmer's Daughter" (Rodney Atkins), "Gimmie That Girl" (Joe Nichols) and "The Shape I'm In" (Joe Nichols).
Collecting the ASCAP Country Song of the Year honor for "The House That Built Me" (recorded by Miranda Lambert), Allen Shamblin was presented with the award by ASCAP Executive Vice President, Domestic Membership, Randy Grimmett and ASCAP Vice President and Managing Executive, Nashville, Tim DuBois. "The House That Built Me" is published by Built On Rock.
Paul Williams and Marc Driskill also presented Brad Paisley with his second ASCAP Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year award. He first won the award in 2004. No stranger to ASCAP Most Performed Song awards-he had already won an amazing 24 prior to this evening-Paisley adds three more this year with "Anything Like Me," "This Is Country Music" and "Water."
For the second consecutive year the ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year honors went to Sea Gayle Music who had six award-winning songs: "Anything Like Me," "Come Back Song," "This," "This Ain't Nothing," "This Is Country Music" and "Water." ASCAP CEO John A. LoFrumento and Tim DuBois presented the award to Sea Gayle Music's Chris DuBois, Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers.
Marc Driskill honored break-out duo The Civil Wars-comprised of Joy Williams and John Paul White-with the ASCAP Vanguard Award in recognition of their extraordinary gift for creating music that draws on tradition while forging new audiences with its timeless appeal. The ASCAP Vanguard Award recognizes the impact of musical genres that help shape the future of American music. Past ASCAP Vanguard Award honorees include Sara Bareilles, Beastie Boys, Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Jack Johnson and Björk.
The ASCAP Global Impact Award-a special award for a song that has had significant impact on multiple formats during the year-honored Josh Kear, Big Yellow Dog Publishing and Darth Buddha for "Need You Now" (Lady Antebellum). The award was presented by ASCAP Publisher Board Member Barry Coburn of Ten Ten Music. Songwriters and artists in attendance included Don Williams, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Jennifer Nettles (of Sugarland), Kenny Loggins, Josh Turner, Chris Young, Little Big Town, Allen Shamblin, John Rich, Lee Ann Womack, Jerrod Niemann, Brett James, Radney Foster, David Nail, Desmond Child, Love and Theft, Brent Anderson, Wade Bowen, Jason Jones, Mike Reid, Eric Paslay, Jonathan Cain (of Journey), Laura Bell Bundy, Kip Moore, Drake White, Ashley Gearing, the Lunabelles, Bucky Covington, The Farm, Dani Flowers, Whitney Duncan, Jordyn Shellhart, Striking Matches and Alyssa Bonagura. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean was also in attendance.
