Pictured at the Medallion Ceremony are (l-r): Shelby Kennedy, Tom T. Hall and BMI’s Jody Williams. (Photo Courtesy of Donn Jones)

Hall’s literate tales, full of incisive detail and bold narrative gambits, helped change the content and construction of popular country songs. Such #1 hits as “A Week in a Country Jail,” “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died,” and “(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine”—as well as hits he wrote for others, including Jeannie C. Riley’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.” and Bobby Bare’s “Margie’s at the Lincoln Park Inn”—prodded Nashville into a new era. His sophisticated songwriting reflected his time’s changing values and rendered modern life from a fresh perspective.

Newly inducted Hall of Fame members paused for a photo. Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Jody Williams, The Statler Brothers’ Harold Reid, Don Reid, Phil Balsley and Jimmy Fortune, with Shelby Kennedy. (Photo Courtesy of Paul Wharton Photography)

The Statler Brothers—Harold Reid, Don Reid, Phil Balsley, the late Lew DeWitt, and his replacement, Jimmy Fortune—brought the four-part vocal harmonies of gospel quartets into the country music charts. Like Hall, their contemporary and Mercury Records labelmate, the Statlers also moved beyond conventional country music topics, as illustrated in the urban imagery of their debut 1965 hit, “Flowers on the Wall,” and in the warm, “Happy Days”-era nostalgia of “Do You Remember These?” and “The Class of ’57.”

Live performances by legendary troubadour Bobby Bare, North Carolina folk-music duo Heather Berry and Tony Mabe and bluegrass singer Michelle Nixon honored the legacy of Tom T. Hall, who later got up and performed himself. His dear friend and fellow Hall of Fame member Ralph Emery presented Hall with his medallion.

Reba McEntire was joined by Vince Gill for a performance of the Statler Brothers’ signature song “Flowers on the Wall,” while bluegrass up-and-comers Dailey & Vincent and duo Grandstaff, featuring cousins Wil and Langdon Reid, sons of Harold and Don Reid, respectively, also provided musical tributes. Country and pop superstar Brenda Lee, who toured with the Statler Brothers for two years, presented the vocal group with their medallions.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B, and Hatch Show Print.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.com.

In fitting tribute, an elite slew of artists contributed performances of Pop Stoneman-popularized songs: Cowboy Jack Clement delivered "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues," Jim Lauderdale, along with help from the Jordanaires, sang "Are You Washed in the Blood," Old Crow Medicine Show provided "Tell Mother I Will Meet Her" and a group featuring Clement and Stoneman's three surviving daughters Donna Stoneman, Patsy Stoneman Murphy and Roni Stoneman performed Stoneman's influential classic, "The Titanic."

Former BMI President & CEO and Country Music Hall of Fame member Frances Preston presented Stoneman's Hall of Fame medallion to his family. Before draping the award around the neck of his eldest daughter Patsy, Preston said, "Ernest Stoneman had a lifelong motto, 'Don't quit.' And he didn't. Tonight, Pop Stoneman's perseverance is being rewarded."

From his earliest days as a roaring 20's crossover sensation to his leadership of the award-winning Stoneman Family ensemble, Ernest "Pop" Stoneman embodies the term "pioneer." In the early 1920s, his performance of self-penned "The Titanic" charted at No. 3 on both the Billboard and Variety charts and remained there for 10 weeks. One of the first country records to sell more than one million copies, the song became one of the biggest hits of the decade. Stoneman's keen eye for talent in Bristol, Tennessee, led to the landmark Bristol recording sessions. Considered one of the most seminal events in country music by many historians, the Bristol recording sessions introduced artists including Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family to the nation. Throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s, Pop Stoneman focused on the popular bluegrass, bucolic musical concoction of The Stoneman Family band. Made up of his wife Hattie and many of their 13 adult children, the group debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1962, and in 1967, The Stoneman Family earned the first ever CMA Vocal Group of the Year award. Ernest "Pop" Stoneman recorded, composed and performed well into his mid 70s.

For more on Pop Stoneman's remarkable life, click here.

Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame ® & Museum

From his earliest days as a roaring 20’s crossover sensation to his leadership of the award-winning Stoneman Family ensemble, Ernest “Pop” Stoneman embodies the term “pioneer.” In the early 1920s, his performance of self-penned “The Sinking of the Titanic” charted at No. 3 on both the Billboard and Variety charts and remained there for 10 weeks. One of the first country records to sell more than one million copies, the song became one of the biggest hits of the decade. Stoneman’s keen eye for talent in Bristol, Tennessee, led to the landmark Bristol recording sessions. Considered one of the most seminal events in country music by many historians, the Bristol recording sessions introduced artists including Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family to the nation. Throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s, Pop Stoneman focused on the popular bluegrass, bucolic musical concoction of The Stoneman Family band. Made up of his wife Hattie and many of their 13 adult children, the group debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1962, and in 1967, The Stoneman Family earned the first ever CMA Vocal Group of the Year award. Recording, composing and performing well into his mid 70s, Ernest “Pop” Stoneman passed away in 1968. Speaking on behalf of the Stoneman family, daughter Patsy Stoneman said, “Daddy never gave up. In fact, the day before he died, he was playing in Texas and had to be flown home because he was in such bad pain. I said, ‘Daddy, you've got to hang in there, because you're going to go into the Hall of Fame.’ And his eyes lit up like the stars. You know what he said? He said, ‘Patsy, they don't recognize you 'til you die.’ …A friend of mine is going by the cemetery to tell Daddy. And then I'm going to go to the cemetery.”

Beloved quartet The Statler Brothers embraced and advanced country music’s traditional family-friendly appeal through finely-crafted compositions and renowned familial harmonies. Adept songwriters and vocalists individually, the combination of brothers Harold and Don Reid, along with baritone Phil Balsey and tenor vocalist Lew DeWitt, proved exceedingly potent. With roots steeped in gospel music, The Statler Brothers first attracted the attention of legend Johnny Cash, who invited the act to join him on tour. Their peerless harmonies enriched Cash’s live shows, television appearances and recording sessions between 1963 and 1972. The ensemble’s first hit independent of Cash arrived in 1965; the DeWitt-penned “Flowers on the Wall” won a Grammy that year in the genre-wide Best Contemporary Performance category, and the tune became the Statler Brothers’ signature song. Consistent success throughout the subsequent decades solidified the group’s preeminent status, but sadly, Lew DeWitt’s health waned in the early 1980s. Initially a temporary replacement, Virginia native Jimmy Fortune’s tenor vocals eventually earned a permanent and warmly-welcomed place in the Statler Brothers’ ranks, as DeWitt chose to step down. Mr. DeWitt passed away shortly thereafter in 1990. In addition to immeasurable respect within the industry and from their millions of fans, quantitative markers of success color the Statler Brothers’ career, including Platinum and Gold album sales, shelves of Grammy, CMA and American Music Awards, along with Gospel Music Hall of Fame membership. The Statler Brothers’ Don Reid explained, “The Hall of Fame was made for our heroes. All of our heroes are in there. We watched most of them go in. That's how we think of them. We just never put ourselves in that particular realm. It's nice if somebody else did. We're very honored.”

Legendary songwriter Tom T. Hall’s induction has felt all but anxiously inevitable, and to many, a simple formality. The adroit pen behind hits “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” “I Love,” “The Year that Clayton Delaney Died,” “(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine,” “I Like Beer,” “Faster Horses,” “How I Got to Memphis,” and so many more, he carved out an inimitable niche for himself among Music Row’s finest songwriters. As reflection of Hall’s vividly anecdotal writing style, Tex Ritter dubbed him the “Storyteller,” and the moniker stuck. A unique vocal stylist, the Kentucky native also forged a successful career as a recording artist, releasing numerous successful country and bluegrass albums. His most frequent songwriting partner has been his wife, Miss Dixie, with whom Hall has penned countless compositions. The couple’s dedication and mutual passion for bluegrass music has led to reinvigorating leadership within that community; both Hall and Miss Dixie have received numerous honors from the International Bluegrass Music Association, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Also the recipient of numerous BMI Country, Pop, and Million-Air awards, and member of the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, Tom T. Hall’s successes are nothing if not well documented. Upon the announcement of his 2008 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hall humbly responded, “You don't think of it as an award. It's a very spiritual thing, you know. It makes you feel old.” He paused and smiled, continuing, “But I found out, it turned out to be spiritual, the nature of the thing.”

Ernest “Pop” Stoneman, The Statler Brothers and Tom T. Hall will be officially inducted during the prestigious, invitation-only Country Music Hall of Fame Formal Induction and Medallion Ceremony later this year.

2005 Entertainers of the Year Cherryholmes rounded up their family for a photo before the ceremony. Pictured are (l to r): BMI's David Preston, Cherryholmes band members B.J., Molly, Jere, Sandy Lee, Skip and Cia Cherryholmes, along with BMI's Mark Mason. Photo by K. Clary

BMI's IBMA pre-party in Stage 8 one hour prior to the actual awards ceremony attracted iconic bluegrass aficionados Tom T. Hall and Bill Gaither, while nominees and the genre's luminaries mingled. Cherryholmes, Larry Sparks, Ronnie Bowman, Rob Ickes and Del McCoury numbered among the several hundred guests enjoying cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a stellar house band.

Bluegrass luminary Del McCoury (center) attended BMI's pre-party and performed during the awards ceremony. He is pictured with BMI's Jody Williams and Mark Mason. Photo by K. Clary

This year's ceremony featured two Hall of Honor inductions: bluegrass gospel pioneers the Lewis Family and King Records founder Syd Nathan. The Lewis Family's contributions to bluegrass began with the group's formation in 1951; the family's rich sound and constant touring significantly augmented the audience for bluegrass gospel. Record store owner Syd Nathan sought to preserve bluegrass's invaluable history through his creation of the King Records label, emerging as one of the top repositories and distributors of classical bluegrass recordings.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Mark Mason, three-time IBMA winner Michael and BMI's David Preston. Photo by K. Clary

Other BMI winners included Jim Mills' second consecutive win for Banjo Player of the Year, Dobro Player of the Year Rob Ickes of Blue Highway and Three Ring Circle, and Claire Lynch band member Missy Raines for Bass Player of the Year. Distinguished Achievement Awards were presented to BMI affiliates the Boys from Indiana, Bill Grant and Ronnie Reno.

Legendary bluegrass figure Larry Sparks (center) performed later in the evening with fellow legend Curly Seckler and is seen here with BMI's Elisabeth Dawson and Kay Clary. Photo by D. Preston

BMI's 2006 IBMA Award winners:

HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES
The Lewis Family
Syd Nathan

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Rhonda Vincent

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

BMI songwriting icon and bluegrass aficionado Tom T. Hall mingled at the pre-party and attended the awards ceremony that followed. Pictured are (l to r): BMI�s Bradley Collins, Tom T. Hall, legendary bluegrass producer and songwriter Carl Jackson, Tom T. Hall�s wife Dixie Hall and BMI�s Jody Williams. Photo by K. Clary

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer
Lonesome River Band, Seldom Scene, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Cherryholmes, J.D. Crowe & The New South, BlueRidge, IIIrd Tyme Out, James King Band, Larry Cordle, Wayne Benson, Clay Hess, Greg Luck, Aubrey Haynie, Tony Rice, Ronnie Bowman & The Committee, Larry Stephenson Band, Blue Highway, Gena Britt, Randy Kohrs & The Lites, Steve Thomas, Scott Vestal, David Parmley & Continental Divide, Karl Shiflett & the Big Country Show, Wildfire, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Lost & Found, Dan Tyminski, Bela Fleck, Joe Mullins and Jim VanCleve

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
"He Lives In Me"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Let 'Er Go Boys
Michael Cleveland
produced by Jeff White & Michael Cleveland

Premier bluegrass vocalist and hit BMI songwriter Ronnie Bowman showed up for bluegrass� biggest night with his wife and harmony singer, Garnet. Pictured are (l to r): BMI�s Bradley Collins, IBMA Executive Director Dan Hays, Ronnie Bowman and BMI�s Perry Howard. Photo by K. Clary

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
Back to the Well
The Daughters of Bluegrass featuring: Gena Britt, Julie Elkins, Becky Buller, Mindy Rakestraw, Beth Lawrence, Angela Oudean, Michelle Nixon, Dale Ann Bradley, Valerie Smith, Louisa Branscomb & Dixie Hall

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jim Mills

DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Rob Ickes

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Missy Raines

Rhonda Vincent was greeted by her friends and fans as she entered the IBMA Awards pre-party, sponsored by BMI. Pictured are (l to r): BMI�s Mark Mason & Jody Williams, Rhonda Vincent, Executive Director of the IBMA Dan Hays, and BMI�s David Preston & Perry Howard. Photo by K. Clary

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Michael Cleveland

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The Boys From Indiana
Bill Grant
Ronnie Reno

BEST LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT
Tom Adams (writer)
Let 'Er Go Boys by Michael Cleveland

BMI's Mark Mason (left) congratulates Dobro Player of the Year and Blue Highway member Rob Ickes.  Photo by K. Clary

Attendees were happy to see gospel legend Bill Gaither (center) at both the pre-party and the awards ceremony. He is pictured here with BMI's David Preston and Bradley Collins.  Photo by K. Clary

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver scored Vocal Group of the Year honors, along with Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for "He Lives in Me," which Doyle also produced. Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Mark Mason, Doyle Lawson and BMI's Jody Williams.  Photo by K. Clary

]]> 2006-10-09T19:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334597 Allen, Harley, Bowman, Ronnie, Cherryholmes, Cordle, Larry, Duncan, Stuart, Gill, Vince, Griggs, Andy, Hall, Tom T., Jackson, Chris, Krauss, Alison, Lawson, Doyle, Mills, Jim, Moore, Russell, Sparks, Larry, Stanley, Ralph, Tyminski, Dan, Vestal, Scott, Vincent, Rhonda, Bluegrass, Country Cherryholmes took home their first ever Entertainer of the Year award at the 16th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, October 27 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Cherryholmes was the first group in the history of the awards to be simultaneously nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year. The family band has taken the bluegrass world by storm with their infectious blend of showmanship and high level of instrumental and vocal prowess.

Larry Sparks

Hosted by Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs, the evening featured a number of live performances from award nominees who played for a sold-out crowd and worldwide radio audience, celebrating the 60th anniversary of bluegrass music, which began on the very same Ryman stage in 1945.

IBMA Entertainer of the Year winners Cherryholmes book ended by BMI's Bradley Collins and Paul Corbin, Mark Mason and Shelby Kennedy. photo: Brian Tipton

Forty years of performing has proven to be a delight for Larry Sparks as he received his second award in a row for Male Vocalist of the Year. Sparks also took home Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year honors for 40, the album celebrating the span of his legendary career. The record brought Sparks together with a cadre of performers including Ronnie Bowman, Larry Cordle, Kevin Denney, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, Tom T. Hall, Jim Hurst, the Isaacs, Carl Jackson, Chris Jones, Alison Krauss, the Marshall Family, Russell Moore, Tim Stafford, Ralph Stanley, Dan Tyminski, Rhonda Vincent and Paul Williams.

BMI's Mark Mason, IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent, BMI's Paul Corbin. photo: Brian Tipton

Harley Allen was given Song of the Year honors for "Me and John and Paul," recorded by the Grascals. Allen recently was named a Songwriter of the Year at BMI's 2005 Country Awards. Rhonda Vincent broke her own record by taking home her sixth consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year award, more than any female in history.

BMI's David Preston, Vocal Group of the Year's bandleader Doyle Lawson and tenor singer Jamie Dailey, BMI's Bradley Collins. photo: Brian Tipton

Harmony masters Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver were recipients of their fifth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year award in addition to Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for "Praise His Name," from their album School of Bluegrass. Lawson recently released a DVD special surrounding the band's 25th anniversary celebration of the founding of the influential group.

BMI's Perry Howard, Del McCoury, BMI's Mark Mason. photo: Brian Tipton

Fiddle player and Nashville Bluegrass Band founding member Stuart Duncan was named Fiddle Player of the Year, his eighth career win in that category, having last taken home the honor in 1996. Kentucky Thunder banjo player and Sugar Hill Records solo artist Jim Mills received the Banjo Player of the Year trophy, the fifth such honor of his career and a great topper on a successful year with his solo release, Hide Heads Blues.

BMI's Scott Andrews addresses technology issues during a panel at the 2005 IBMA convention. photo: Priscilla Warnock

The International Bluegrass Music Awards were broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio and syndicated to radio stations in over 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. Sponsors of the evening, in addition to BMI, included Martha White, Great American Television (GAC), Merlefest, Sugar Hill Records, Deering Banjos and GHS Strings.

Congratulations to BMI's 16th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards winners:

Entertainer of the Year
Cherryholmes

Vocal Group of the Year
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Female Vocalist of the Year
Rhonda Vincent

Male Vocalist of the Year
Larry Sparks

Album of the Year
40 by Larry Sparks

Song of the Year
"Me and John and Paul" written by Harley Allen

Recorded Event of the Year
40 by Larry Sparks

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
"Praise His Name" by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Instrumental Album of the Year
Slide Effects
produced Scott Vestal

Banjo Player
Jim Mills

Fiddle Player
Stuart Duncan

Alison Krauss & Union Station	Rhonda Vincent

Alison Krauss & Union Station received 14 nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group, Vocal Group, Song of the Year, Album, Gospel Recorded Performance, Female Vocalist for Alison, Male Vocalist for Dan Tyminski and individual instrumental award nods for band members Jerry Douglas (Dobro) and Ron Block (banjo). Krauss and Tyminski are also featured on the Larry Sparks album 40, nominated for Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year. She also received a nod for being a part of the Recorded Event-nominated album Moody Bluegrass.

Blue Highway	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Five-time Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent and her band the Rage came in with eight nominations including Entertainer, Vocal Group, Female Vocalist, and an individual nod for the Rage's Hunter Berry on fiddle. Vincent is also a featured artist on the IBMA-nominated album 40 by Larry Sparks.

Larry Sparks	Del McCoury Band

Picking up seven nominations, Doyle Lawson and his band Quicksilver were recognized for Entertainer, Vocal Group, Album and Gospel Recorded Performance, along with an individual instrumental nomination for Lawson on mandolin. They'll compete with themselves among others with two nominations in the Song of the Year category for "Heartbreak Number Nine," written by band members Barry Scott and Jamie Daley, and "You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper," written by Carl H. Caldwell and Barry Scott.

Paul Williams	Williams & Clark Expedition

Blue Highway also earned seven nominations including Vocal Group, Instrumental Group, and an Album of the Year and Recorded Event nod for their participation on Larry Sparks' 40. Band members Rob Ickes (Dobro) and Tim Stafford (Guitar) are nominated in their respective Instrumental Award categories; Stafford's album Endless Line is also a finalist for Instrumental Album.

Cherryholmes	Mountain Heart

Eight-time Entertainers of the Year the Del McCoury Band received six nominations including Entertainer, Instrumental Group and individual nods for band members Rob McCoury on banjo and Ronnie McCoury on mandolin. Del McCoury was also a Song of the Year nominee as writer for the Alison Krauss & Union Station song "Rain Please Go Away."

Reigning Male Vocalist Larry Sparks nabbed five nominations -- Album of the Year, Recorded Event, Male Vocalist, Guitar Player and a Song of the Year nod for the Alan Laney-penned "Georgia Peaches" with Andy Griggs.

Bluegrass power group Mountain Heart picked up five nominations for Vocal Group, Instrumental Group and Gospel Recorded Performance for their song "I Want To Live Beyond The Grave," in addition to an individual recognition for Jason Moore on bass.

Longtime gospel stalwart Paul Williams also gathered five nominations, including Gospel Recorded Performance for his album I'll Be No Stranger There. Williams also contributed to the Album and Recorded Event-nominated albums 40 by Larry Sparks and the Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass" project.

The recipients of the 2005 International Bluegrass Music Awards will be broadcast via radio around the world to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. The awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The award show is the centerpiece of IBMA's week-long Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, slated for October 24-30 in Nashville.

Congratulations to BMI's 2005 IBMA nominees:

Entertainer of the Year
Cherryholmes
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Del McCoury Band
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage

Instrumental Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss & Union Station
The Del McCoury Band
Mountain Heart

Vocal Group of the Year
Blue Highway
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Mountain Heart
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Male Vocalist of the Year
Russell Moore
Larry Sparks
Dan Tyminski

Female Vocalist of the Year
Dale Ann Bradley
Cia Cherryholmes
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Rhonda Vincent

Song of the Year
"Georgia Peaches"
Larry Sparks with Andy Griggs
written by Carl Jackson & Alan Laney

"Heartbreak Number Nine"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
written by Barry Scott & Jamie Dailey

"Me and John and Paul"
written by Harley Allen

"Rain Please Go Away"
Alison Krauss & Union Station
written by Del McCoury

"You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
written by Carl H. Caldwell & Barry Scott

Album of the Year
40
Larry Sparks
produced by Don Rigsby

Lonely Runs Both Ways
Alison Krauss & Union Station
produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station

Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass"
J.D. Crowe & Paul Williams
produced by Ben Isaacs

You Gotta Dig A Little Deeper
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
"A Living Prayer"
Alison Krauss & Union Station
produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station

"I'll Be No Stranger There"
Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
produced by Paul Williams

"I Want To Live Beyond the Grave"
Mountain Heart

"Praise His Name"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
produced by Doyle Lawson

Instrumental Album of the Year
Bending The Rules
Jesse McReynolds with Travis Wetzel
produced by Jesse McReynolds & Billy Troy

Endless Line
Tim Stafford
produced by Tim Stafford & Bobby Starnes

Half Moon Bay
produced by Bobby Starnes

Slide Effects
produced by Scott Vestal

Recorded Event of the Year
40
Larry Sparks with Ronnie Bowman, Larry Cordle, Kevin Denney, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, Tom T. Hall, Jim Hurst, the Isaacs, Chris Jones, Alison Krauss, Russell Moore, Don Rigsby, Tim Stafford, Ralph Stanley, Dan Tyminski, Rhonda Vincent & Paul Williams
produced by Don Rigsby

Daughters of American Bluegrass
Kim Fox, Dale Ann Bradley, Cindy Cashdollar, Missy Raines, Gena Britt and Michelle Birkby-Vance
produced by Lorraine Jordan

Moody Bluegrass: A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues
Harley Allen, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Fred Carpenter, Lionel Cartwright, Larry Cordle, Stuart Duncan, Andrew Hall, Aubrey Haynie, David Harvey, Alison Krauss, Keith Little, Jon Randall, Tom Shinness
produced by David Harvey

Tribute to Jimmy Martin: "The King of Bluegrass"
J.D. Crowe, Paul Williams, Audie Blaylock & Kenny Ingram
produced by Ben Isaacs

You Were There For Me
Peter Rowan & Tony Rice
produced by Peter Rowan & Tony Rice

Emerging Artists of the Year
Cherryholmes
Williams & Clark Expedition

Instrumental Performers of the Year
Banjo
Ron Block
J.D. Crowe
Rob McCoury

Dobro
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs

Bass
Missy Raines
Marshall Wilborn

Fiddle
Hunter Berry
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Ron Stewart

Guitar
Jim Hurst
Tony Rice
Larry Sparks
Tim Stafford

Mandolin
Sam Bush
Doyle Lawson
Ronnie McCoury

Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year
Terry Herd

Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project
Eddie Stubbs
Don Reno & Red Smiley
Sweethearts in Heaven]]> 2005-09-06T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234378 Artists, Gill, Vince, Griggs, Andy, Hall, Tom T., Krauss, Alison, Reynolds, Leigh, Sparks, Larry, Stanley, Ralph, Tyminski, Dan, Vincent, Rhonda, Musical Styles, Bluegrass, Country, Type, International Larry Sparks, the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year, marked the March 1 release of his album 40 with a party and performance co-hosted by BMI Nashville and Rebel Records.

BMI's Harry Warner, Rebel Records' Dave Freeman, Larry Sparks, BMI's Paul Corbin, producer Don Rigsby

Named to commemorate Sparks' 40th year as a professional bluegrass performer, the 16-song package - produced by Don Rigsby -- pairs him with a glittering array of fellow country and bluegrass stars, including Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Andy Griggs, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, Tom T. Hall, Dan Tyminski, Sharon & Cheryl White, Rebecca Lynn Howard, the Isaacs, the Marshall Family, Kevin Denney, Paul Williams, Jim Hurst, Kenny Smith, Tim Stafford, Don Rigsby, Chris Jones, Russell Moore, Ronnie Bowman and the legendary Ralph Stanley, who gave Sparks his start in the music business.

Kevin Denney, Larry Sparks

A native of Lebanon, Ohio, Sparks joined the Stanley brothers band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, in 1964, when he was 16 years old. Two years later, elder brother Carter Stanley died, and surviving brother Ralph asked Sparks to take his place as lead vocalist. In 1969, Sparks formed his own band, the Lonesome Ramblers, and has headlined the bluegrass circuit ever since. A BMI affiliate since 1973, he has recorded for Rebel Records since 1980.

Larry Shell, Leigh Reynolds	WSM Radio's Eddie Stubbs, IBMA's Dan Hays

Sharon White, Pam Sparks

Tom T. Hall, Carl Jackson, Larry Sparks

Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers: Matthew Madden (acoustic bass), Scott Napier (mandolin), Joshua McMurray (banjo) and Michael Feagan (fiddle)

Photos by Alan Mayor

Rhonda Vincent	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Rhonda Vincent was the night's biggest winner with three; she claimed the Entertainer of the Year trophy as well as prizes for Contemporary Female Vocalist and Best Instrumental Group (with her band, the Rage). Double winners were Larry Stephenson, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and songwriters Tom T. & Dixie Hall.

Jimmy Gaudreau	Tom T. & Dixie Hall

The Lewis Family received the Grand Masters Gold Award for having won the traditional gospel group of the year honor for a total of 10 years.

Charlie Waller	The Lewis Family

Mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau, who played key roles in such trailblazing groups as the Country Gentlemen, J. D. Crowe & the New South, Spectrum and Chesapeake, was inducted to the SPBGMA Preservation Hall.

Hunter Berry	Blue Highway

Congratulations to BMI's SPBGMA winners:

Entertainer
Rhonda Vincent

Song
"Clinch Mountain Mystery"
The Larry Stephenson Band, artist
Tom T. & Dixie Hall, songwriters

Songwriter
Tom T. Hall & Dixie Hall

Josh Williams	Cherryholmes

Ronnie McCoury	Lynn Morris Band

IIIrd Tyme Out

Rhonda Vincent	Blue Highway

During the ceremonies, mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau will be inducted to SPBGMA's Hall of Greats, where bluegrass pioneers such as Hazel Dickens, Bill Monroe, and Flatt & Scruggs were enshrined in the past. The award festivities are planned as part of SPBGMA's 22nd National Convention & Band Championship, to be held February 3-6 in Nashville.

J.D. Crowe	IIIrd Tyme Out

Congratulations to BMI's SPBGMA nominees:

Female Vocalist (Contemporary)
Dale Ann Bradley
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Patty Loveless
Rhonda Vincent

Female Vocalist (Traditional)
Lynn Morris
Michelle Nixon
Valerie Smith
Jeanette Williams

Male Vocalist (Contemporary)
Ronnie Bowman
Larry Cordle
Chris Jones
Russell Moore
Jim Stack
Larry Stephenson

Carolina Road	Bluegrass Brothers

Male Vocalist (Traditional)
James King
Del McCoury
Larry Sparks
Paul Williams

Gospel Group (Contemporary)
Blue Highway
The Churchmen
The Isaacs
The Marksmen
Mountain Heart
NewFound Road

Gospel Group (Traditional)
BlueRidge
The Churchmen
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Sullivan Family
Paul Williams & The Victory Trio

Rob Ickes	BlueRidge

Gospel Group (Overall)
Blue Highway
The Churchmen
The Lewis Family
The Marksmen
Paul Williams & The Victory Trio

Vocal Group
Blue Highway
Blue Ridge
Carolina Road
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Mountain Heart
IIIrd Tyme Out

Instrumental Group
Blue Highway
BlueRidge
J.D. Crowe & The New South
Lonesome River Band
Del McCoury Band
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Jimmy Gaudreau	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Bluegrass Band (Overall)
Blue Highway
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Lonesome River Band
Mountain Heart
IIIrd Tyme Out
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Entertaining Group
Bluegrass Brothers
Carolina Road
Cherryholmes
Nothin' Fancy
IIIrd Tyme Out

Entertainer
Ronnie Bowman
Doyle Lawson
Del McCoury
Michelle Nixon
Rhonda Vincent
Jeff Weaver

Ronnie Bowman	Lonesome River Band

Song (awarded to artist)
"The Best Durn Ride"
IIIrd Tyme Out

"Clinch Mountain Mystery"
The Larry Stephenson Band

"Eight More Miles to Louisville"
Sam Bush

"Mountain Song"
The Gibson Brothers

Songwriter
Harley Allen
Larry Cordle
Larry Shell
Chris Stuart
Tom T. Hall & Dixie Hall
Rhonda Vincent & Terry Herd

Dixie Hall & Tom T. Hall

Album of the Year
Best Durn Ride
IIIrd Tyme Out

It's My Turn
Michelle Nixon & Drive

Long Way Back Home
The Gibson Brothers

Side By Side
BlueRidge

Songs of the American Spirit
Charlie Waller & The Country Gentlemen

Bass Fiddle
Missy Raines
Marshall Wilborn

Dobro
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs

Guitar
Tim Stafford
Josh Williams

Mandolin
Wayne Benson
Alan Bibey
Jesse Brock
Jeremy Chapman
Dwight McCall
Ronnie McCoury

Banjo
Cia Cherryholmes
J.D. Crowe
Rob McCoury
Aaron McDaris
Rick Pardue

Fiddle
Jason Barie
Hunter Barry
Molly Cherryholmes
Stuart Duncan
Ronnie Stuart

DJ of the Year
Larry Nixon]]> 2005-01-26T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234243 November, Alexander, Jessi, Anderson, Bill, Beavers, Brett, Bryant, Del, Cannon, Chuck, DiPiero, Bob, Emerick, Scotty, Hall, Tom T., Keith, Toby, Kristofferson, Kris, Lee, David, Mobley, Wendell, Nichols, Tim, Nichols, Tim, Preston, Frances, Randall, Jon, Regan, Bob, Shaver, Billy Joe, Slater, James, Thrasher, Neil, Train, Urban, Keith, Wiseman, Craig, Country, Urban, International Billy Joe Shaver and Freddie Hart are the newest members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Morgan, Shaver and Hart, along with Guy Clark, were inducted November 7 during annual ceremonies hosted by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation at Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel in Nashville.

NSF Board member David Conrad, NSF Chairman Mark Alan Springer, Dennis Morgan, BMI's Frances Preston, Freddie Hart, Billy Joe Shaver, BMI's Del Bryant, and Kris Kristofferson

Keith Urban, Jessica Andrews, Marcel and James Slater saluted Morgan, whose hits include "Smoky Mountain Rain," "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World," "Nobody" and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me). NSF Board member David Conrad made the presentation to Morgan.

Craig Wiseman and Tim Nichols celebrate their Song of the Year win for �Live Like You Were Dying�

Kris Kristofferson and Joe Ely led the celebration for Shaver, whose classics include "Good Christian Soldier," "I Been To Georgia On a Fast Train," "Old Five and Dimers," "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal" and "Live Forever." Tom T. Hall gave the induction speech.

Scotty Emerick accepts NSAI Songwriter of Year honors	President Emeritus Frances Preston was recognized for her longtime support of NSAI and NSF

After an introduction by Bill Anderson, T. Graham Brown reprised Hart's classic "Easy Lovin'," while Freddy Weller, Jim Casey and Dickey Lee performed the Hart hits "Bless Your Heart," "My Hang-Up Is You," "If You Can't Feel It (It Ain't There)" and "The Want-Tos."

�Whiskey Lullaby�: Bill Anderson, NSAI President Bob Regan, Jon Randall

In conjunction with the Hall of Fame inductions, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) conferred a series of Songwriter Achievement Awards, with the top songwriter prizes won by BMI affiliates. The writing duo of Scotty Emerick and Toby Keith placed a pair of Keith songs among the top 40 vote-getters ("Beer for My Horses" and "I Love This Bar") to earn Songwriter of the Year for Emerick and Songwriter/Artist of the Year for Keith. BMI affiliate Tim Nichols accepted the Song of the Year prize for "Live Like You Were Dying," an honor he shared with his co-writer, Craig Wiseman.

It�s Five O�Clock Somewhere�: Jim Brown, Bob Regan, Don Rollins

Besides honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist of the Year, the writers of NSAI's Professional Songwriters Division also singled out 10 songs and their writers for its 2004 Achievement Awards (using the criteria of "The Songs I Wish I'd Written").

�Letters From Home�: Tony Lane, Bob Regan, David Lee

BMI recipients were Don Rollins for "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," David Lee for "Letters From Home," Tim Nichols for "Live Like You Were Dying," Gary Duffey and Buck Moore for "Paint Me a Birmingha," Wendell Mobley for "There Goes My Life," Brett Beavers for "What Was I Thinkin'," and Bill Anderson and Jon Randall for "Whiskey Lullaby."

�Paint Me a Birmingham�: Buck Moore, Bob Regan, Gary Duffey

�There Goes My Life�: Neil Thrasher, Bob Regan, Wendell Mobley

�What Was I Thinkin��: Bob Regan, Brett Beavers

Keith Urban and surprise guest Ronnie Milsap

BMI�s Phil Graham with Billy Joe Shaver and Joe Ely

Chuck Cannon, Sony�s Tracy Gershon, Jon Randall, Lari White, Jessi Alexander, Beth Nielsen Chapman

Sony�s John Grady, Bob DiPiero, Scotty Emerick, Russ Emerick, Rivers Rutherford

Photos by Kay Williams]]> 2004-11-07T17:00:00-05:00