The ethereal Alison Krauss received resounding applause for her work with Robert Plant, as the pair earned Album and Duo/Group of the Year, while gospel and soul hybrid Mike Farris walked away with New Emerging Artist of the Year bragging rights. The association also doled out its prestigious lifetime achievement honors, the majority of which went to BMI legends. Iconic singer and songwriter John Hiatt received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting, while pioneering rock-roots synergists Jason and the Scorchers claimed Lifetime Achievement honors in the Performance field. Influential producer Tony Brown surprised folk and roots force Nanci Griffith with the 2nd annual Trailblazer trophy, and Griffith returned the honor in kind, presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Producer/Engineer category to Brown.

The audience at the Ryman enjoyed performances from top tier BMI singer/songwriters including Joe Ely, Ryan Bingham, the original Jason and the Scorchers, the Sam Bush Band, Kane Welch Kaplin, The SteelDrivers, Tift Merritt, James McMurtry and Todd Snider.

2008 BMI AMA Honors & Awards Winners

Album of the Year Raising Sand Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

Duo/Group of the Year Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

New Emerging Artist of the Year Mike Farris

Lifetime Achievement Honors:

Lifetime Achievement / Songwriting John Hiatt

Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement / Executive Terry Lickona

Lifetime Achievement / Performance Jason & The Scorchers

Trailblazer Nanci Griffith

Lifetime Achievement / Producer or Engineer Tony Brown

Legendary Nashville rock band Jason and the Scorchers took home a Lifetime Achievement Award. Pictured are (l-r) BMI's Phil Graham, Jason and the Scorchers' Jason Ringenberg and BMI's Jody Williams.

Sarah Siskind captivates the crowd at the BMI Americana showcase.

The Branded Sons rock the Americana coffee lounge.

Pictured after the BMI showcase are (l-r): back row: BMI's Mark Mason, with the Branded Sons' Nate Clark and Mike Bair; front row: the Branded Sons' Dwayne Rushing, Laws Rushing and Jeff Brown, with BMI's Perry Howard.

Each year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, the association bestows the industry's arguably most unique and personalized awards on winners.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI's Jody Williams, Lifetime Achievement Award winner John Hiatt and BMI's Phil Graham.

Joe Ely (left) chats with Jason Ringenberg (right) backstage at the Ryman.

Todd Snider (right) cracks up Jason Ringenberg (left).

A slew of Nashville's songwriting elite also made the trip, mingling with aspiring writers and fans and showcasing the voices and stories behind contemporary hits. Troubadours including Bobby Pinson (Sugarland's "Want To," his own "Don't Ask Me How I Know"), Jon Randall (Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss's "Whiskey Lullabye"), Stephony Smith (Tim McGraw & Faith Hill's "It's Your Love," Kenny Chesney's "Big Star," Reba McEntyre's "How Was I To Know"), Billy Montana (Sara Evans' "Suds In the Bucket," Jo Dee Messina's "Bring On the Rain," Garth Brooks' "More Than A Memory"), Tim Nichols (Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," Terri Clark's "Girls Lie Too" and Jo Dee Messina's "Heads Carolina, Tails California"), John Wiggins (Joe Nichols' "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off"), and Chuck Jones (Diamond Rio's "Love A Little Stronger," Deana Carter's "Count Me In," John Berry's "Your Love Amazes Me"), Woody Mullis and Mike Geiger (co-writers of George Strait's "Adalida," Sawyer Brown's "This Missin' You Heart of Mine," and Neil McCoy's "City Put The Country Back In Me"), along with singer/songwriters Connie Harrington, Jessi Alexander and Shelly Fairchild, and CMT Can You Duet show standouts The Coppolas (Kate and Kasey) performed in intimate venues throughout the festival. BMI executives also took advantage of the scenic locale and stout concentration of hit-makers, presenting BMI Million-Air certificates to the writers whose songs have generated more than one million performances.

Photos by Alan Mayor

Effervescent duo Sugarland underscored their critically acclaimed year, counting an inaugural nod in the prestigious Entertainer of the Year club among their five nominations. The pair also snagged a Single of the Year nod for the emotive "Stay," co-produced by Kristian Bush and Byron Gallimore, along with Vocal Duo, Video and Musical Event of the Year nominations.

Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert garnered more industry recognition, mirroring their increasing popularity, while Taylor Swift joined Female Vocalist of the Year ranks for the first time. Reigning Female Vocalist of the Year Underwood gained another nod in that category and added an Album of the Year nomination for her sophomore release, Carnival Ride. Lambert joins Underwood in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, and her fierce composition "Gunpowder and Lead" is up for Single of the Year.

Ace guitarist and crooner Keith Urban also earned two nominations, remaining in the elite Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year ranks. Perennial favorites Brooks & Dunn retained their dominance, garnering nods in Album and Vocal Duo of the Year categories. Trio Lady Antebellum also added more prestige to their glowing breakout year, earning Vocal Group and New Artist of the Year nominations. Little Big Town's success with critics and the industry remains potent, as the quartet scored Vocal Group and Musical Event nods. The ethereal Alison Krauss also earned two nods: a Female Vocalist of the Year nomination and Musical Event of the Year tap for her work with legend Robert Plant.

BMI songwriters Monty Criswell, Rodney Clawson and Wade Kirby earned a Song of the Year nomination for the poignant "I Saw God Today," while BMI troubadour Lee Thomas Miller also boasts a nod in the prestigious category for his composition "You're Gonna Miss This."

The 42nd Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov.12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC.

2008 BMI CMA Nominees

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Sugarland
Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Keith Urban

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eagles
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
"Gunpowder & Lead"
Miranda Lambert
Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
Columbia Records

"I Saw God Today"
Co-produced by Tony Brown
MCA Nashville

"Stay"
Sugarland
Co-produced by Byron Gallimore and Kristian Bush
Mercury Nashville

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
Carnival Ride
Carrie Underwood
19 Recordings Limited/Arista/Arista Nashville

Cowboy Town
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville

Good Time
Produced by Keith Stegall
Arista Nashville

Troubadour
Co-produced by Tony Brown
MCA Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)
"I Saw God Today"
Co-written by Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby
Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music

"You're Gonna Miss This"
Co-written by Lee Thomas Miller
EMI Blackwood Music/New Songs of Sea Gayle

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award to each Artist)
Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
"Another Try"
MCA Nashville

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
"Gone, Gone, Gone"
Rounder Records

Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
"Life In A Northern Town"
Mercury Nashville

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
"Good Time"
Alan Jackson
Directed by Trey Fanjoy

"Stay"
Sugarland

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas - Dobro
Brent Mason - Guitar

BMI will proudly sponsor the 9th annual Americana Music Festival and Conference September 17-20 in Nashville, and will offer a one-two punch of roots music pick-me-up Thursday, September 18. Slated for 3:30 p.m. downstairs in the Nashville Convention Center's Americana Listening Lounge (room 103), the showcase will feature wistful singer/songwriter Sarah Siskind and charismatic rock quintet The Branded Sons. Siskind will take the stage promptly at 3:30 p.m., performing four songs before handing the mic over to The Branded Sons for a foot-stomping 35-minute set.

Sarah Siskind

Tender and fluid, Sarah Siskind's voice flutters to and fro, with distinct purpose and clarity revealed to the enthralled listener bit by bit, branch by branch. Dubbed one of the "most innovative voices on the outskirts of Americana" by the Nashville Rage, Siskind also found a fan in ethereal Grammy award-winner Alison Krauss, who along with Union Station, recorded her compositions "Goodbye is All We Have" and "Simple Love." www.myspace.com/sarahsiskind

The Branded Sons

Nashville's The Branded Sons' southern grooves elicit a two-pronged high of nostalgia for The Band and unguarded enthusiasm for the chunky power chords and melodic sense of '70s classic rock. Led by charismatic, old-school front man Laws Rushing, The Branded Sons also nod to their hometown's golden age honky tonk, penning wryly confident songs accented with pedal steel; the group released their eponymous debut in August of 2008. www.myspace.com/brandedsons

Slated for September 17-20, 2008, the 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center by day, while each evening brings stacked Americana showcases. Legend Levon Helm will officially jump start the festivities Wednesday, September 17 with his Ramble at the Ryman, and the capstone of the festival will take the form of the annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, scheduled for September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

For the latest additions to showcase lineups, ticket purchasing and more information about the Americana Music Festival and Conference, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

About the Americana Music Association

The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. Dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in that industry, the Americana Music Association works closely with artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers and more to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for the Americana genre to achieve success both creatively and financially.

Yet Tyminski says he doesn't share Krauss's love for stalking the elusive song. "That's probably the hardest part of it," he admits. "Some people do love the thrill of the hunt." Wheels proves Tyminski has a knack for choosing material that doesn't shy away from the sometimes-dark contradictions of contemporary life. Early in his days playing with Union Station, he was impressed by the band's ease with all sorts of material. "They didn't have just one type of song they played," he remembers. "They really made me stretch." On Wheels, Tyminski sounds relaxed covering Kitty Wells and Billy Wallace's "Whose Shoulder Will You Cry On," originally a 1955 Wells single.

Tyminski, who started playing mandolin when he was eight, sticks to guitar throughout Wheels, with his superb band easily navigating the chord changes of "Heads You Win Tails I Lose." For all its virtuosity, Wheels plays much like an intelligent mainstream country record. Tyminski brings his characters to life, from the country boy who turns his back on the suburbs in "Making Hay" to the wrongly accused prisoner of "Some Early Morning." He never overstates his case, making Wheels a quietly devastating statement from a supremely gifted musician.

For their first trip to the IBMA Awards together, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent of Dailey & Vincent amassed a jaw-dropping ten nominations, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist nod for Jamie, Vocal Group, Emerging Artist and Album of the Year. New as a duo but familiar to the world of bluegrass, Dailey honed his skills under Doyle Lawson while Vincent proved an adroit apprentice of Ricky Skaggs. Two Song of the Year nods for tunes “More Than a Name on a Wall” and “By the Mark” added to the pair’s stunning nomination tally.

Musician powerhouse Blue Highway assumed production and key songwriting responsibilities for their latest release, Through the Window of a Train, and the resulting project emphasized the group’s virtuosity and versatility. Album, Vocal Group, Instrumental Group and title track Song of the Year nods number among the band’s six nominations. Members Tim Stafford and Rob Ickes earned individual nods for Guitar and Dobro Player of the Year, respectively. With nine awards lining his shelves, longtime BMI songwriter Ickes is the most awarded instrumentalist in IBMA history.

Esteemed guitarist and vocalist Dan Tyminski also garnered six nominations. Known to many as the guitarist for Alison Krauss and Union Station and the George Clooney’s canorous singing voice in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Tyminski’s solo work over the past year with the Dan Tyminski Band earned a Male Vocalist of the Year nod – an award Tyminski swept for three consecutive years in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Members of the band earned a slew of individual nominations as well, including Barry Bales for Bass, Adam Steffey for Mandolin and Ron Stewart with dual nominations for Banjo and Fiddle Player of the Year.

Venerable BMI bluegrass favorites Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals and The Del McCoury Band all obtained four nominations each, while first-time nominees Grasstowne joined elite company by also garnering four nods. A striking balance of recognition between the genre’s pioneers and most promising torchbearers emerged, as International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame members Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe all secured nominations, and rising stars Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and The Infamous Stringdusters scored multiple mentions. Critically acclaimed new group The Steeldrivers also earned their first nomination.

As the 2008 recipient of the genre’s highest honor, BMI songwriter Bill Clifton will take his place in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Clifton’s profound legacy rests proudly upon the creation of a strong European bluegrass fanbase and a songwriter catalog that includes “Mary Dear,” “Little White Washed Chimney,” “Walking In My Sleep,” “Going Back To Dixie,” “Blue Ridge Mountain Blues” and “Are You Alone.”

All 2008 BMI IBMA Nominees

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent
The Grascals
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Del McCoury Band
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Grascals
The Isaacs
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Dan Tyminski Band

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jamie Dailey
Russell Moore
Dan Tyminski

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Alison Krauss
Claire Lynch
Rhonda Vincent
Sonya Isaacs

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(album, artist, producer(s), label)

Dailey & Vincent
Dailey & Vincent
Produced by Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent, Rounder Records

Lovin’ Pretty Women
Produced by Ronnie Bowman, Rebel Records

The SteelDrivers
The SteelDrivers
Co-produced by The SteelDrivers, Rounder Records

Through The Window Of A Train
Blue Highway
Produced by Blue Highway, Rounder Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
(song, artist, songwriter(s))

“By The Mark”
Recorded by Dailey & Vincent
Co-written by David Rawlings & Gillian Welch

“Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey”
Recorded by The SteelDrivers
Co-written by Mike Henderson

“More Than A Name On A Wall”
Recorded by Dailey & Vincent
Co-written by Jimmy Fortune & John Rimel

“Through The Window Of A Train”
Recorded by Blue Highway
Co-written by Tim Stafford & Steve Gulley

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
(song or album, artist(s), producer(s), label)

“Be Still Moses”
Produced by Ronnie Bowman, Rebel Records

“By The Mark”
Recorded by Dailey & Vincent
Produced by Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent, Rounder Records

Help Is On The Way
Recorded by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Produced by Doyle Lawson, Horizon Records

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(album, artist(s), producer(s), label)

Sound of the Slide Guitar
Recorded and produced by Andy Hall, Sugar Hill Records

The Past Is Present
Recorded and produced by Jason Barie, Pinecastle Records

When At Last
Recorded and produced by Russ Barenberg, Compass Records

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
(album, featured artists, producer(s), label)

Christmas Grass, Vol. 3
Featuring Larry Sparks, Russell Moore and Charlie Daniels
Produced by Greg Cole & Chuck Rhodes; KOCH Records

Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother
Featuring Marty Stuart, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Walker, Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, David Ball, Larry Stephenson, Joe Spivey, Eddie Stubbs, Jason Carter, Dickey Lee, Freddy Weller, Andy May, Darrin Vincent, Clay Rigdon and Bill Wolfenbarger
Co-produced by Bill Wolfenbarger; Swift River Music

Standard Songs for Average People
John Prine & Mac Wiseman
Co-produced by John Prine & David Ferguson; Oh Boy Records

We Are Family
Jeff & Sheri Easter & The Easter Brothers
Produced by Jeff & Sheri Easter; Daywind Records

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Cadillac Sky
Dailey & Vincent
Grasstowne
The SteelDrivers

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
J.D. Crowe
Jim Mills
Earl Scruggs
Ron Stewart

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Missy Raines
Darrin Vincent
Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Berry
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Ron Stewart

DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tony Rice
Tim Stafford
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush
Doyle Lawson
Ronnie McCoury
Adam Steffey

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Terry Herd; Into the Blue, Bluegrass Radio Network

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR RECORDED PROJECT
(designer, album, artist, label)

Smay Vision Graphic Design
The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966)
The Stanley Brothers, Time Life

BEST LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT
(writer, album, artist, label)

Frank & Marty Godbey
Bluegrass Holiday
J.D. Crowe, Rebel Records

Gary Reid
The Stanley Brothers: The Definitive Collection (1947-1966)
The Stanley Brothers, Time Life

Hit troubadours including Bobby Pinson (Sugarland’s “Want To,” his own “Don’t Ask Me How I Know”), Jon Randall (Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss’s “Whiskey Lullabye”), Stephony Smith (Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s “It’s Your Love,” Kenny Chesney’s “Big Star,” Reba McEntire’s “How Was I To Know”), Billy Montana (Sara Evans’ “Suds In the Bucket,” Jo Dee Messina’s “Bring On the Rain,” Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory”), John Wiggins (Joe Nichols’ “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”), and Chuck Jones (Diamond Rio’s “Love A Little Stronger,” Deana Carter’s “Count Me In,” John Berry’s “Your Love Amazes Me”), Woody Mullis and Mike Geiger (co-writers of George Strait’s “Adalida,” Sawyer Brown’s “This Missin’ You Heart of Mine,” and Neil McCoy’s “City Put The Country Back In Me”), along with smoldering singer/songwriters Jessi Alexander and Shelly Fairchild, and CMT Can You Duet show standouts The Coppolas (Kate and Kasey) will mingle with music industry executives and ambitious up-and-comers.

In addition to BMI, sponsors include the Florida House Inn, WQIK-FM, Folio Weekly, WRJY the WAVE and Amelia Island Tourism Development Council. For lodging, schedule, venues and ticket information, please visit www.songwriterfestival.org.

Pictured are (l to r): Publicist Kim Fowler, Jason & the Scorchers’ Warner Hodges, AMA’s Danna Strong, Jason & the Scorchers’ Jason Ringenberg, Webb Wilder and BMI’s Kay Clary.

Roots music royalty Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck read the list of award candidates, whose names were met with enthusiastic whoops and applause.

Longtime BMI songwriter James McMurtry garnered a slew of nominations, including Artist, Album and Song of the Year. McMurtry’s barbed wit and astute songwriting have resonated with listeners all over the world.

Pictured are (l to r): Hal Ketchum, Billy Block and Fats Kaplin.

Perennial BMI favorite Alison Krauss also received multiple nominations for her work with legend Robert Plant. In addition to a spot on the Duo/Group of the Year list, their collaborative effort Raising Sand earned Album of the Year, and their rendition of the Everly Brothers’ “Gone, Gone, Gone” secured a Song of the Year nod.

New/Emerging Artist of the Year nominees included a wealth of auspicious BMI singer/songwriters. Neo-soul, gospel conduit Mike Farris, gravely troubadour Ryan Bingham and the virtuosic bluegrass-dipped SteelDrivers all received well-deserved nods.

Pictured are (l to r): Third Coast Artist Agency’s Clint Wiley and Steve Hoiberg, Thirty Tigers’ Traci Thomas, Justin Townes Earle and Bonnie Whitmore.

Recognition also went to preeminent mandolin player and roots/bluegrass innovator Sam Bush in the Instrumentalist of the Year field; esteemed singer/songwriter Tiff Merritt, who received a Song of the Year nod for “Broken”; and triple-threat Kane Welch Kaplin, in the Duo/Group of the Year field.

The winners will be announced September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium during the 7th Annual Americana Music Association’s Honors and Awards Show. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller, the Honors & Awards ceremony will also recognize iconic troubadour John Hiatt with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting and Jason and the Scorchers with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance. Additional honorees and performers will be announced in the coming months.

Abigail Washburn (left) and Béla Fleck (right) announce the nominees.

Slated for Wednesday, September 17 through Saturday, September 20, the 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. Each evening brings more than 80 stacked Americana showcases to key venues throughout Nashville. Approximately 2,000 industry executives, artists and fans are expected this year.

For more information on tickets, becoming a member of the Americana Music Association and more, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

About the Americana Music Association
The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. Dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in that industry, the Americana Music Association works closely with artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers and more to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for the Americana genre to achieve success both creatively and financially.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Jody Williams, Honorable Mayor Karl Dean, Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck, with the AMA's Danna Strong and Jed Hilly.

2008 BMI Americana Music Association Honors & Awards Nominees

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant
Raising Sand

James McMurtry
Just Us Kids

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
James McMurtry

INSTUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush

NEW EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mike Farris
Ryan Bingham
The Steeldrivers

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Broken”
Tift Merritt

“Cheney’s Toy”
James McMurtry

“Gone Gone Gone”
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant
Drive By Truckers
Kane Welch Kaplin

Check out live photos from the event

Full BMI Grammy Award Winners List

Unable to attend the ceremony due to a tardy issuance of her visa, Winehouse watched, accepted awards and performed twice via satellite in London. Her innate vintage cool and authentic emotion echoed through her performances of Record and Song of the Year, “Rehab,” along with “I’m No Good.” After claiming the most Grammys of any artist throughout the evening, including Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, Winehouse’s ubiquitous artistic shadow was most certainly in attendance.

Charismatic rap star Kanye West further emphasized his staying power with wins in Rap Album and Solo Rap Performance of the Year. Honored both as a songwriter and recording artist, West also earned Rap Song of the Year bragging rights for “Good Life.” In addition to garnering accolades for his solo work, West claimed Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his collaboration with Common on “Southside.”

“What a beautiful day this is in Los Angeles!” Herbie Hancock’s visible surprise while accepting his Album of the Year trophy provided a sublimely extemporaneous moment during the telecast. The first jazz project in 43 years to win Album of the Year, Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters features collaborations with numerous contemporary stylists, including Norah Jones and Corinne Bailey Rae. The project also garnered Best Contemporary Jazz Album honors.

BMI’s preeminent rock family enjoyed a successful night as well. The unfaltering Foo Fighters took home Best Hard Rock Performance honors for driving single “The Pretender,” while their Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace earned Rock Album of the Year. Critical darlings and rock purists The White Stripes claimed Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for the title track to Icky Thump, which also garnered Best Alternative Album bragging rights for the enigmatic duo.

Beloved jazz saxophonist and composer Michael Brecker received posthumous awards for Best Jazz Instrumental Album (Individual or Group) and Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. Perennial favorites The Clark Sisters also secured honors for Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song.

Additional winners included Carrie Underwood for Best Female and Keith Urban for Best Male Country Vocal Performances; Calle 13 for Best Latin Urban Album; Ray Price and Willie Nelson for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals; Juan Luis Guerra for Best Tropical Latin Album; Vince Gill’s These Days for Best Country Album; Rihanna’s “Umbrella” for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; Maroon 5 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals; and Alison Krauss for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.