Nashville A Teamer Jerry Kennedy was one of the night's inductees. Music runs wild through the Kennedy bloodline: All of Jerry's three sons are hit songwriters, while Shelby Kennedy is also a Writer/Publisher Relations representative in the Nashville office. Pictured are (l to r): Gordon Kennedy, Jerry Kennedy, Bryan Kennedy and BMI's Shelby Kennedy.

The vast majority of 2007's inductees are BMI affiliates, veterans and virtual architects of the American popular music canon. Nashville's A Team lent their gifts to studio recordings by Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Brenda Lee, Marty Robbins and countless others. The Blue Moon Boys and the Tennessee Two helped shape the sounds of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, respectively. The Wrecking Crew's musicianship finessed legendary singles for The Ronettes, The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, The Carpenters and more. Detroit's Funk Brothers were a tour de force in Motown, playing on Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It through the Grapevine," singles by Smokey Robison & The Miracles and a smorgasbord of others. The Memphis Boys picked, strummed and drummed through major hits for icons including Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.

Pictured at the event are (l to r): host Creed Batton, the Musicians Hall of Fame's Joe Chambers, guitar legend Scotty Moore and BMI's Jody Williams.

Joe Chambers, gatekeeper of the Musicians Hall of Fame, took great care in organizing the event, which brought due recognition to behind the scenes virtuosos. Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, George Jones, Brenda Lee, Mandy Barnett, The Jordanaires, Dobie Gray, The Supremes' Mary Wilson, Amy Grant, Keith Anderson, Ray Scott, Garth Brooks, John Carter Cash and Rodney Crowell presented, performed and reiterated glowing praise. Actor/musician Creed Bratton, beloved character of the same name on The Office, proved an able host; before gaining attention for his television and film work, Batton played guitar in popular 60s group The Grass Roots.

Photos by Beth Gwinn

Entitled These Days, each disc within the box set features Gill employing a different method of attack: funky soul, moody jazz, bluegrass/Americana and, of course, rootsy honky-tonk. Critics have salivated over the compilation, and despite its recent release in October of 2006, the set has already been certified platinum and garnered Gill his 35th Grammy nomination. That’s resounding applause for the humble singer/guitarist, who is generally regarded not only as one of the most talented artists in Nashville, but one of the town’s nicest guys as well.

The characters, virtuosos and storyteller guests on These Days are big — really big — and cross genre and generation. Emmylou Harris, Diana Krall, Guy Clark, Alison Krauss, Phil Everly, Lee Ann Womack, John Anderson, The Del McCoury Band, LeAnn Rimes and Bonnie Raitt color the jaw-dropping list. Good friend and fellow Notorious Cherry Bomb Rodney Crowell, wife Amy Grant and daughter Jenny also make for sublime collaborators.

Vince Gill’s path to country stardom started in Norman, Okla. His father, a judge by trade, played the banjo and guitar; Vince followed suit, picking up not only the guitar, but the mandolin, fiddle, dobro and bass as well. He dove into bluegrass, playing in one band during his high school days and another after graduation in Louisville, Ky. Positions in the bands of torch-carrying innovators like Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris helped lay Gill’s solid foundation.

After three well-received albums for RCA in the ’80s, Vince switched labels to work with longtime friend Tony Brown. His Brown-produced, MCA debut, When I Call Your Name, made Gill a star, earning the crooner his first Grammy. Simple numbers may help tell part of the story: 16 albums, 17 Grammys and multiple BMI Million-Air and Country awards are scattered throughout his career, illustrating his longevity in a music world sometimes eager to move on.

Gill’s sheer strength as a songwriter, producer, vocalist and instrumentalist tells the rest of his story. Throughout commercial successes and decades, he somehow remains staunchly true to his roots, yet artistically exciting and experimental. It’s been four long years since Vince Gill’s last album, and These Days temporarily satisfies music lovers’ seemingly inexhaustible desire for more, firmly solidifying Gill’s place among the giants of any genre.

Pictured are (l-r): Weston Hinson (son of the late Kenny Hinson), Hinsons member Chris Hawkins Freeman, Hinsons co-founders Larry Hinson and Ronny Hinson, Hinsons member Eric Hinson, Hinsons co-founder Yvonne Hinson-Johnson, Hinsons member Bo Hinson, BMI's Beth Mason, Richard Smallwood, and BMI's Thomas Cain and Jody Williams.

Southern gospel family The Hinsons, formed by brothers Ronny, Kenny and Larry, along with their sister Yvonne, performed together throughout the 1970s and 80s. Universally recognized as premier gospel songwriters as well as vocalists, the group penned oft-recorded favorites including "Mercy Built a Bridge" and "He Pilots My Ship."

BMI staffers congratulated some of the newest members of the GMA Hall of Fame. Pictured are (l-r): BMI's Jody Williams and Beth Mason, gospel music industry veteran and Hall of Fame inductee John T. Benson III, Hall of Fame inductee Richard Smallwood and BMI's Thomas Cain with Hall of Fame inductee Doug Oldham (seated).

Beloved gospel artist Doug Oldham has performed for heads of state, presidents and thousands of worshipers. His longtime friendship with songwriter Bill Gaither led to his early performance of countless Gaither-penned classics. Over the years, Oldham's gripping and impassioned delivery inspired audiences throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the United States.

Grammy Award-winning artist, pianist and composer Richard Smallwood's classically infused brand of gospel revolutionized the genre. As an artist, he recorded eight albums with the Richard Smallwood Singers and now performs with the group Vision, while his compositions have been covered by mainstream superstars including Whitney Houston and Destiny's Child, as well as giants of the gospel world including Yolanda Adams and Karen Clark-Sheard.

The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted more than 140 members since its inception, including Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andraé Crouch, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, Bill and Gloria Gaither, The Rambos, Thomas A. Dorsey, The Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and The Jordanaires. Last year, Walter Hawkins, Mylon LeFevre, Evie and The Lewis Family were inducted.

Photos by Aaron Crisler

Hugh Prestwood, Jeffrey Steele, Dennis Morgan

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductions, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) conferred a series of Songwriter Achievement Awards, with the top prizes won by BMI affiliates. BMI Award-winning writer Jeffrey Steele earned his second NSAI Songwriter of the Year title, honored this year for his compositions "Gone," recorded by Montgomery Gentry, and "Help Somebody," recorded by Van Zant. NSAI's Song of the Year honors went to "Bless the Broken Road," written by Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna and Marcus Hummon. The song, previously recorded by Hummon, was a recent hit for Rascal Flatts.

Del Bryant, Patty Loveless

Longtime friend and fellow Hall of Famer Rodney Crowell gave a poignant introduction speech for Vince Gill, followed by a stunning performance of "Whenever You Come Around" by Gill's wife, Amy Grant. Patty Loveless brought the house down with her rendering of Gill's "Go Rest High on That Mountain," backed by John Hobbs and Al Anderson, who also paid tribute to Gill by treating the audience to a sampling of his other signature songs, including "When I Call Your Name," "Never Knew Lonely," "Pocket Full of Gold," "Don't Let Our Love Start Slipping Away," "I Still Believe in You," "Look at Us," "Whenever You Come Around," and "Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn)."

NSAI's Mark Alan Springer, Phillip White, Roger Murrah, Jeff Hanna, Bobby Boyd, Vince Gill, Jeffrey Steele, Del Bryant, James Dean Hicks

Blake Shelton and BMI's Thomas Cain saluted Murrah, whose hits include "Goodbye Time," "Don't Rock the Jukebox," "High Cotton," "I'm in a Hurry (and Don't Know Why)," "We're in This Love Together," "Ozark Mountain Jubilee," "It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow)," "Life's Highway," "It's a Little Too Late" and "National Working Woman's Holiday." Murrah's induction speech was provided by Hall of Fame member Bobby Braddock.

Billy Montana, Del Bryant	Jeffrey Steele

Steve Wariner joined Jeffrey Steele, Reed band member Mark Thornton and guitarist John Knowles to celebrate Reed, whose classics include "East Bound and Down," "Amos Moses," "When You're Hot, You're Hot," "A Thing Called Love," "Guitar Man," "The Claw," "Crazy Legs," "Misery Loves Company," "Talk About the Good Times" and "Tupelo Mississippi Flash." Longtime friend Bobby Bare provided the induction speech.

Besides honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist of the Year, the writers of NSAI's Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 13 songs and their writers for its 2005 Achievement Awards (informally dubbed "The Songs I Wish I'd Written").

BMI recipients were Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna and Marcus Hummon for "Bless The Broken Road," Bart Butler and Bobby Pinson for "Don't Ask Me How I Know," James Dean Hicks and Roger Murrah for "Goodbye Time," Phillip White for "He Gets That from Me," Hank Williams, Sr. for "Hey, Good Lookin'," Joe Diffie, Tony Martin and Tom Shapiro for "My Give a Damn's Busted," Billy Montana for "Suds in the Bucket," Ed Hill, Karyn Rochelle for "Georgia Rain" and Paul Overstreet for "Some Beach." "Bless The Broken Road" was the top choice of the NSAI Pro writers.]]> 2005-10-17T05:00:00+00:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234327 Armstrong, Vanessa Bell, Alabama, Grant, Amy, Green, Al, Hawkins, Edwin, Hawkins, Walter, Morrison, Van, Presley, Elvis, Preston, Frances, Bluegrass, Christian, Country, Gospel, Rock, Urban GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, February 22. Joining them in the Hall of Fame will be Evie Tornquist and non-performing members Ronn Huff and Don Light. Presented by the GMA Foundation, the ceremony will be taped at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, Tenn., as a one-hour special for TBN.

Walter Hawkins	Mylon Le Fevre	Lou Hildreth

The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted 125 members since its inception, including Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, Bill and Gloria Gaither, the Rambos, Thomas A. Dorsey, the Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires. Last year, former BMI President & CEO Frances Preston, the Reverend Al Green, Sandi Patty and Vestal Goodman were welcomed.

Lewis Family

At the age of 19, Walter Hawkins had not considered a musical life for himself. His recording debut actually came anonymously when he sang in the Ephesians Church of God in Christ's youth choir, based in Berkeley, Calif., and directed by older brother Edwin. The choir recorded the song, "Oh, Happy Day," one of the most popular gospel songs of all time. Because of the world-wide success of "Oh, Happy Day," the Edwin Hawkins Singers toured nationally and internationally before Walter Hawkins set out on his own. He entered the ministry and in 1973 founded the Love Center Church in Oakland. With his Love Center Choir, Hawkins recorded a live album, Going Up Yonder, released on Light Records. The album became a mainstay on Billboard's Gospel Top 40 chart for three years, making it one of the decade's biggest selling gospel albums. Between 1978 and 1989, the multiple Dove and Grammy-winning Hawkins recorded more than a dozen albums, among them Love Alive, Love Alive II, Love Alive III and Love Alive IV. In addition to his own recordings, Hawkins was also an adept songwriter and producer and has collaborated with a number of other artists including Edwin Hawkins, Van Morrison, Lee Oskar, Diahann Carroll, Jeffrey Osborne, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the Williams Brothers, Tramaine Hawkins, Shirley Miller, and Lynette Hawkins.

Mylon Le Fevre was born into a gospel-singing family. When Le Fevre was 17 years old, his first song, "Without Him," was recorded by Elvis Presley. Over the next year, 126 artists recorded Le Fevre's songs. At 19, he made his first album, marking the beginning of the contemporary Christian music era in the '60s and paving the way for a new generation of gospel music that today is the best-selling style of gospel music. After a decade of recording success in the secular rock world, Le Fevre returned to the gospel after re-dedicating his life to Christ at a Second Chapter of Acts concert in 1980. With recording contracts at Word and later StarSong, Le Fevre founded Mylon Le Fevre and Broken Heart, becoming one of the most successful Christian rock bands in the 1980s. Broken Heart disbanded in 1991, but Mylon Le Fevre's ministry has lived on and he remains a preacher and teacher.

Organized in 1951, The Lewis Family has achieved worldwide recognition as an icon of bluegrass gospel music and has been called the genre's "First Family." From a modest but proud beginning in its hometown of Lincolnton, Ga., the group continues today as it began: made up entirely of family members. Now encompassing three generations, the show offers a broad appeal to all ages. The Lewis Family, now on Daywind Music Group, has recorded more than 60 albums in the group's career. "The Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival" is held annually the first weekend of every May at the Elijah Clark State Park, near Lincolnton. "Pop" Roy Lewis died last year.

Texas born Lou Wills Hildreth was a member of the Wills Family, known as Texas' first family of gospel music. In her 50-year music career, she has been an artist, songwriter, publisher, journalist, television host and industry leader. Hildreth was the first woman to own a gospel music artist booking agency and was Mark Lowry's first agent. She is a veteran of gospel television, having hosted Wills Family Inspirational Time in the '60s, one of the original syndicated shows. In the '70s and '80s, she hosted a daily television show in Nashville and was a Dove Award nominee. Currently, Lou is host of Hill Country Gospel TV, co-host of Inside Gospel with J.P. Miller, and chronicles her travels with husband Howard in the U.S. Gospel News. A 20-year member of the GMA Board of Directors, she is also a strong supporter of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame at Dollywood and is a member of the Texas Music Hall of Fame. The "Lou Hildreth Award," which recognizes excellence within the gospel music industry, is presented during the Diamond Awards at the National Quartet Convention.

The GMA Foundation (GMAF) is a non-profit educational association working in connection with the Gospel Music Association (GMA). The GMAF recognizes and preserves the history and legacy of all forms of gospel music and provides educational resources that encourage participation and appreciation by the general public. Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member GMA is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.]]> 2005-01-27T17:00:00+00:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233967 Artists, Alabama, Blind Boys of Alabama, The, Grant, Amy, Green, Al, Presley, Elvis, Preston, Frances, Musical Styles, Christian, Country, Gospel, Rock, Urban, Type, Important BMI President & CEO Frances Preston joined performers and BMI affiliates Sandi Patty and Al Green, along with the late Vestal Goodman, as the newest members of the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame, during ceremonies on February 11. Pat Boone, who was inducted by the GMA in 2002, hosted the show from Trinity Music City, just outside of Nashville. The hour-long special, which featured performances by Patty, Boone, Michael W. Smith and Kristy Starling, was taped for later broadcast on TBN.

Seen here after the induction ceremony are Vestal Goodman's son Rick Goodman, honorees Al Green, Frances Preston and Sandi Patty, and GMA President John Styll.

EMI CMG Chairman Billy Ray Hearn made the induction presentation to Preston, who was entered in the non-performer category. She is Past Chairwoman and President of the Gospel Music Association and a lifetime board member.

Presented Billy Ray Hearn, Frances Preston, presenter Michael W. Smith

Al Green, senior pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis, has won seven Grammys for his gospel albums. He began his career as a child as part of the Green Brothers, but later went out on his own to become one of the most important soul singers in history before becoming an ordained minister in 1976. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and in 2002, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy.

Billy Ray Hearn, Frances Preston

With 39 Dove Awards and five Grammy Awards to her credit, Sandi Patty is the most awarded female artist in the history of contemporary Christian music. Her 23 albums have sold more than 11 million units. Recipient of the Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year a record 11 times, her career has spanned more than two decades as she has taken her music to every corner of the world.

Vestal Goodman, known as the "Queen of Gospel Music," was a founding member of the Happy Goodman Family and the first artist to receive a Female Vocalist of the Year Dove Award in 1969. Goodman was notified of the GMA honor shortly before her death on December 27, 2003, at the age of 74. Her induction certificate was accepted by her son, Rick Goodman.

The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted 125 members since its inception, including Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, Bill and Gloria Gaither, The Rambos, Thomas A. Dorsey, The Fairfield Four, Rev. Billy Graham and The Jordanaires.

Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the Dove Awards, recognizing achievement in all genres of gospel music.

photos by Stephen Kohl

Pictured after the award presentation are PGA Board members Jack Connelly (Honorary President) and Brian Whitcomb (Secretary), Gill's wife Amy Grant, Gill, and PGA Board members MG Orender (President), Roger Warren (Vice President), and Jim Awtrey (CEO). photo: Courtesy of the PGA of America

Though the country music star has carried a love of the game since he was a toddler and has given back to the game in innumerable ways, he didn't believe that at age 46, he was worthy of the praise. "It's kind of hard to even fathom it, in all honesty," Gill said in a news conference following the ceremony. "The truth is that my love for golf is as passionate as my love for music, but music is where I make a living. So anytime something comes from music, I understand that, but this comes because I love the game of golf."

A native of Norman, Okla., Gill founded the Vinny Pro-Celebrity Golf Invitational in 1993, which has raised more than $3 million in funds to the Tennessee Golf Foundation. BMI is long-time supporter of the Vinny.

In addition to supporting more than 60 charitable organizations or causes listed on his web site, VinceGill.com, Gill is a spontaneous giver to whomever may ask his help. He has also been involved with The First Tee program and helped develop the Golf House Tennessee in Franklin, Tenn., which allows many children to get their first experience in the sport. Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife visited Gill several years ago in Nashville during what was a two-part visit. The Bushes were celebrating their wedding anniversary and paying tribute to Gill, a friend who has enhanced The First Tee program in Tennessee. He says that his mission to help juniors is one of the most satisfying things in his life.

"If you give a kid at least one opportunity, I'll bet on him every time," said Gill during his acceptance speech, in which he also honored his father, the late Judge J. Stanley Gill, who started his playing career in the cotton pastures of rural Oklahoma, and his mother, Jerene, who was credited for her vital role in developing a love for the game.

"In the 18 years I spent at home, I didn't get to play with my old man so much," Gill said. "But, my mom was always there. I can remember playing often 54 holes a day and as the sun went down, I could see the headlights coming down the road. I knew it was my momma's car coming to get me."

The PGA Distinguished Service Award, first bestowed upon Herb Graffis in 1988, commemorates notable golfers who have the integrity, sportsmanship, leadership, humanitarianism and enthusiasm to better the game. Jokingly, Gill said he qualified for the award in four of the five categories making light of his occasional fits of anger on the course. Despite the self-deprecation, Gill has done wonders for the game he started at the age of seven.

Gill closed the evening with some thoughts of renewal in his game plan. "I appreciate this award and am grateful," said Gill, with a well-timed pause. "But, I'm going to work on my game and be coming back to win the Wanamaker [Trophy]."]]> 2003-08-27T18:00:00+00:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233178 Holy, Steve, Alabama, Anderson, Bill, Braddock, Bobby, Diamond Rio, Dunn, Ronnie, Gill, Vince, Grant, Amy, Green, Marv, Griggs, Andy, Haggard, Merle, Howard, Harlan, Johnson, Carolyn Dawn, Keith, Toby, Kristofferson, Kris, Loudermilk, John D., Maguire, Martie, McBride, Martina, Miller, Roger, Overstreet, Paul, Owen, Randy, Preston, Frances, Robison, Bruce, Roe, Marty, Shapiro, Tom, Sherrill, Billy, Sillers, Tia, Steele, Jeffrey, Tippin, Aaron, Trick Pony, Twain, Shania, Urban, Keith, Wariner, Steve, Country, BMI Country Awards Frances Preston and BMI Nashville Vice President Paul Corbin will present Citations of Achievement to the writers and publishers of the top 50 songs. The evening will culminate in the announcement of Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, and Most Performed Country Song of the Year (the Robert J. Burton Award).

Among the guests expected are last year's BMI Songwriter/Artist of the Year Toby Keith, Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn, Martina McBride, keith urban, Kenny Chesney, Marty Roe and Jimmy Olander of Diamond Rio, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Aaron Tippin, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Steve Wariner, Bill Anderson, Jeffrey Steele, Randy Owen of Alabama, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Andy Griggs, Trick Pony and Steve Holy.

Among the distinguished talents who have previously been crowned BMI Country Songwriter of the Year are Harlan Howard, Don Gibson, Bill Anderson, Roger Miller, John D. Loudermilk, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Dennis Morgan, Paul Overstreet, Vince Gill, Shania Twain, Tom Shapiro, Dixie Chick Martie Maguire, Ronnie Dunn, Bobby Braddock and eight-time victor Billy Sherrill. In addition to Keith, other top winners from the 2001 BMI Country Awards were Songwriters Marv Green and Aimee Mayo, and Tia Sillers, writer of Song of the Year "I Hope You Dance."

Check back here at 10 pm CT/11 pm ET November 5 for a complete list of 2002 BMI Country Award winners. High-resolution photos will also be available for downloading at press.bmi.com.

BMI's Frances Preston presents country superstar Vince Gill with a DC Heroes Award

Produced by the Recording Academy's Washington, DC Chapter and co-sponsored by BMI, this year's honorees included BMI songwriter/artist Vince Gill, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Representative Howard Coble (R-NC) and the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras. BMI President and CEO Frances Preston presented Gill with his award, saying: "...What makes him a hero is not his many creative achievements, but the generosity of his heart."

BMI's Fred Cannon, Vince Gill and wife Amy Grant, Larry Fitzgerald, BMI's Paul Corbin and Robbin Ahrold

Click here to read the rest of Preston's presentation speech to Vince Gill.
Click here to read Preston's letter to the attendees.

Senator Patrick Leahy, BMI's Paul Corbin and Representative Howard Coble

Other presenters and celebrity VIP's in attendance included Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, who presented a Heroes Award to Senator Leahy, jazz legend Paquito D'Rivera, artist Amy Grant and NARAS President and CEO Michael Greene.

Legendary bluegrass group "Seldom Scene" perform with Vince Gill

Award winners and presenters pose for photo: Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, Tipper Gore, Senator Patrick Leahy, BMI's Frances Preston, Rep. Howard Coble, Luis Haza of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Paquito D'Rivera, Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Recording Academy's Mike Greene

photos: Jim Saah