Citations of Achievement will be presented to the writers and publishers of the top 50 country songs, with the evening's highest honors going to BMI's Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year and Most Performed Country Song of the Year (the Robert J. Burton Award).

The evening will culminate in a tribute to a new BMI Icon, acknowledging songwriters who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." Past BMI Icons from the country music community include Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson and Dolly Parton, and most recently, Charlie Daniels.

Among the distinguished talents who have previously been crowned BMI Country Songwriter of the Year are last year's winners Harley Allen, Big & Rich's Big Kenny and Lonestar frontman Richie McDonald, and previous winners Harlan Howard, Don Gibson, Roger Miller, John D. Loudermilk, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Dennis Morgan, Paul Overstreet, Vince Gill, Shania Twain, Tom Shapiro, Troy Verges, Dixie Chick Martie Maguire, Ronnie Dunn, Jeffrey Steele, Bobby Braddock and eight-time victor Billy Sherrill.]]> 2006-05-22T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334691 Artists, 3 Doors Down, Allen, Deborah, DeGraw, Gavin, Legend, John, McBride, Martina, Overstreet, Paul, peermusic, Satcher, Leslie, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Ying Yang Twins The Copyright Society of the U.S.A. has once again partnered with MENC: The National Association for Music Education to present the 5th annual Copyright Awareness Week (CAW) March 6-10. Co-sponsored by BMI, the goal of this national event is to teach students the basic concepts of copyright and to encourage an understanding and respect for the rights of creative people provided by federal copyright law.

In addition to classroom sessions around the country, an array of stars will launch a radio PSA campaign in support of CAW that will air on some 2,000 radio stations. The glittering line-up of PSA celebrities includes such BMI artists and songwriters as John Legend, 3 Doors Down and the Ying Yang Twins, as well as "Baby Got Back" rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot. Additional BMI stars, including Deborah Allen, Gavin DeGraw, Martina McBride, Paul Overstreet and Leslie Satcher, will also participate in the CAW public service announcements.

Other special activities also are planned by The Copyright Society of the U.S.A. to "celebrate creativity" in the electronic age. The society is building on its successful 2005 activities by expanding programs to educate young people about the value of copyright protection to both creators and consumers.

In addition to MENC, this year features new teacher partners including the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the National Art Education Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. All teacher members of these organizations, as well as any other teachers who are interested in participating, are asked to teach students that copyright is important not just to the creators, but also to consumers who benefit from the diversity of music, films, games, software and other products that reach the market because copyright law makes it possible to earn a living as a creator.

"We hope that the CAW web site will become a focal point for teachers when it comes to education about copyright -- that's why we have been reaching out to many copyright industry trade groups to try to join forces in our efforts to educate students," said Monica Corton, chairperson of Copyright Awareness Week.

Other CAW 2006 sponsors include the Motion Picture Association of America, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, ASCAP, The Harry Fox Agency, Time-Warner, Inc, Bourne Co., Carlin America, EMI Music Publishing, peermusic and Shapiro Bernstein Music Publishers.

The U.S. Copyright Office, located in the Library of Congress, is also participating in Copyright Awareness Week. During that week, students may visit the Copyright Office and get an orientation on copyright both as users and creators. The orientation will include seeing the Copyright Office exhibit, a brief history and overview of current copyright issues and a mini-workshop on how to register claims to creative works. To arrange for a visit to the Copyright Office, contact Peter Vankevich, head of the Copyright Information Section, at 202-707-0600.]]> 2006-02-20T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234584 Anderson, Al, Braddock, Bobby, Bryant, Del, Gentry, Montgomery, Gill, Vince, Grant, Amy, Hanna, Jeff, Hicks, James Dean, Hill, Ed, Hummon, Marcus, Loveless, Patty, Martin, Tony, Montana, Billy, Overstreet, Paul, Pinson, Bobby, Prestwood, Hugh, Rascal Flatts, Rochelle, Karyn, Shapiro, Tom, Shelton, Blake, Steele, Jeffrey, Wariner, Steve, White, Phillip, Williams, Hank, Country, Rock, International Vince Gill, Jerry Reed and Roger Murrah are the newest additions to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. They were inducted Sunday, October 16 during annual ceremonies conducted by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

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.]]> 2005-10-17T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/234416 Artists, Braddock, Bobby, Krauss, Alison, Overstreet, Paul, Shelton, Blake, Travis, Randy, Whitley, Keith, Musical Styles, Country, Musicworld, Feature For Paul Overstreet, heading to the beach not only feeds his soul, it sometimes feeds his family. The well-respected singer/songwriter recently returned to the top of the country charts with "Some Beach," which was in residence for four weeks. The success of the song was sweetened for both Overstreet and the artist who recorded it, Blake Shelton, through their mutual admiration society. Blake has repeatedly credited Overstreet as one of his main influences growing up, citing Overstreet's Heroes as the album that virtually changed his life and piqued his interest in becoming an artist. Overstreet is flattered that 15 years later, he is having an effect on the younger generation of artists coming through Music City.

"You never know what motivates people out there," admits Paul, "and if something I did back then got him excited about music, then man, that's cool! I couldn't be more thrilled to be working now with him and his producer, Bobby Braddock."

Overstreet has a second cut on Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill, and is excited to be at top of the charts againa. He and his co-writer, Rory Lee Feek, came upon the idea for "Some Beach" when they heard that Kenny Chesney was recording an island-themed album and hoped to land a song on the collection (Chesney had already scored with Overstreet's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy"). Instead, "Some Beach" found "the right home" with Shelton, and sparked something in Overstreet creatively that he hadn't tapped into before.

"I've been going to the Caymans a lot," he explains. "I really relax down there and love to scuba dive. And I've written so many island type songs now, that I'm going to do an island-themed album soon."

Paul also has material ready for a traditional country record, much like those he recorded in the early 1990s, and songs for a wacky, funny album as well. The second one might surprise people who don't know Paul well and think he is a serious, pious artist without a sense of humor. "Perception is a lot of what goes on in our business, and the perception of me from my records is that I was real stoic and not too jovial — but I've always been into pranks and jokes."

At the island-themed "Some Beach" bash, the five-time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year also received a Million-Air certificate for "Deeper Than the Holler," recorded by Randy Travis, and a 4 Million-Air honor for "When You Say Nothing At All," a career song for both Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss. The feats are particularly gratifying for a songwriter who is 20 years into his career and can still see his songs holding up and receiving recognition. "I love those certificates, because that lets you know that your song is still out there working, and that radio's playing it, even though it's been awhile."

	Click here to listen to a copyright message from John Legend (1:01)
	Click here to listen to a copyright message from Gavin DeGraw (1:05)
Listen to copyright messages from 3 Doors Down, Deborah Allen, Leslie Satcher, and Paul Overstreet

At a reception held in Washington, DC on March 14, members of Congress, executives from the U.S. Copyright Office, and members of the creative and entertainment communities gathered in the famed James Madison Room at the Library of Congress to kick-off the week's activities. Hosted by CAW Chair Monica Corton, speakers included Barry Slotnick, president of the Copyright Society and Marybeth Peters, the U.S. Register of Copyrights.

Pictured after the kick-off event are Copyright Society President Barry Slotnick, BMI's Fred Cannon, BMI singer/songwriter Deborah Allen, Barbour Griffith & Rogers VP Brad Blakeman, music publisher Helene Blue and BMI's Robbin Ahrold

In addition to classroom sessions around the country, an array of stars will launch a radio PSA campaign in support of Copyright Awareness Week that will air on some 2,000 radio stations. The glittering lineup of PSA celebrities includes such BMI artists and songwriters as 3 Doors Down, Gavin DeGraw, John Legend, Martina McBride, Paul Overstreet, Leslie Satcher and country artist Deborah Allen, who also performed at the March 14 reception.

Copyright Awareness Week comes just days before the United States Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Grokster case. The March 29 hearing will decide whether or not Grokster -- a company that provides peer-to-peer file-sharing software -- will be "contributory infringers" or "vicariously liable" for the infringement activities of the users of its software. BMI has joined with many others in the creative community in urging the Supreme Court to render a judgment that protects intellectual property. The Court's decision in the case, expected by July, could be a major turning point either in the direction of improved copyright protection or economic undermining of singers, songwriters and other creators whose works are used without compensation.

Other sponsors of CAW 2005 include the American Bar Association's Intellectual Property Section, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Harry Fox Agency, Time-Warner, Inc and ASCAP.

The U.S. Copyright Office, located in the Library of Congress, is also participating in Copyright Awareness Week. Students may visit the Copyright Office during that week and get an orientation on copyright both as users and creators. The orientation will include seeing the Copyright Office exhibit, a brief history and overview of current copyright issues, as well as a mini-workshop on how to register claims to creative works. To arrange a visit to the Copyright Office, teachers should contact Peter Vankevich at 202-707-0600.]]> 2005-03-15T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234351 Artists, Overstreet, Paul, Shelton, Blake, Musical Styles, Country Paul Overstreet and Warner Bros. artist Blake Shelton celebrated a return to the top of the country charts during a palm tree-filled party (2/22) at BMI Nashville for their hit "Some Beach." Also saluted for their contributions to the song's success were producer Bobby Braddock, Overstreet's publishing company Scarlet Moon Music, and "Some Beach" co-writer Rory Feek. "Some Beach," the lead-off single from Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill, is Shelton's third #1, following "Austin" and "The Baby."

BMI's Joyce Rice, Rory Feek, Paul Overstreet, Scarlet Moon Music's Melissa Kij, Bobby Braddock, Blake Shelton, and Warner Bros.' Bill Bennett

A five-time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, Overstreet also received BMI Million-Air certificates at the party for "When You Say Nothing At All" (4 million performances) and "Deeper Than the Holler" (3 million performances). Among his other award-winners are "On the Other Hand," "Forever and Ever, Amen," "Diggin' Up Bones" and "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy."

BMI's Paul Corbin and Bobby Braddock	Paul Overstreet and Blake Shelton

Jo Walker-Meador and Paul Overstreet	Paul Overstreet and Rory Feek

Julie, Paul and Nash Overstreet

Harmony, Paul, Charity, Julie, Skye and Summer Overstreet

Blake Shelton, Warner Bros.' Paul Worley, BMi's Joyce Rice, Even Stevens

Photos by Kay Williams ]]> 2005-03-02T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234334 Allen, Deborah, Beathard, Casey, Big & Rich, Bogguss, Suzy, Cannon, Chuck, Daniels, Charlie, Dillon, Dean, DiPiero, Bob, Emerick, Scotty, Johnson, Doug, Keen, Robert Earl, Myers, Frank, Otto, James, Overstreet, Paul, Preston, Frances, Satcher, Leslie, Steele, Jeffrey, Country Country in the Rockies XI Supports Martell Foundation Efforts 'To Change and Save Lives'

(Front) Big & Rich's John Rich and Big Kenny, (back) Chevrolet's Phil Caruso, T. J. Martell Foundation Board member Greg Oswald, Gretchen Wilson, CITR founder Frances Preston and Nashville Martell Foundation Executive Director Roxanne Johnson

Former BMI President & CEO Frances Preston, who serves as president of the Foundation's board and as a Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center board member, hosted the event she founded 11 years ago. Proceeds support innovative research at the VICC's Frances Williams Preston Laboratories.

Preston Labs Director Dr. Hal Moses, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Director Dr. Ray DuBois, Kevin and Linda Martin, Frances Preston, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Board chair Orrin Ingram

Musical highlights included concerts in the Club Med Theater by Charlie Daniels, Kenny Loggins, Kathy Mattea, 2004 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year Casey Beathard, Jamie O'Neal, and MuzikMafia members Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, James Otto, Jon Nicholson, Cowboy Troy and Rachel Kice. Other writers and artists who performed were Deborah Allen, Aaron Barker, Suzy Bogguss, Chuck Cannon, Gary Chapman, Doug Crider, Dean Dillon, Bob DiPiero, Scotty Emerick, Doug Johnson, Robert Earl Keen, Crosby Loggins, Gary Morris, Frank Myers, Paul Overstreet, Leslie Satcher, Jeffrey Steele, Jon Vezner and Lari White.

CITR participants saw first-hand the impact that cancer has on families ñ and the importance of the research that their generosity supports ñ as they got to know Don and Margaret Darnell and Kevin and Linda Martin, guests of the event. The Darnells' daughter Katie, who died of brain cancer in 2003, gained fame for her song "Rescue Me," recorded by John Rich of Big & Rich and Wynonna Judd. Kevin Martin has advanced colon cancer as the result of an inherited condition called FAP; one of the Martins' five children is known to have inherited the condition.

The week was punctuated by emotional highlights surrounding the Darnell and Martin families. Chevrolet presented Katie Darnell's parents with a new Silverado. The Darnells also joined Big & Rich on stage as part of Performances by Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson Presented by Chevrolet. (To learn more about Katie's story, see the VUMC Reporter's Feb. 9, 2001; April 13, 2001; and June 20, 2003 online issues).

As for the Martins, they embraced all that Country in the Rockies has to offer -- skiing, riding snowmobiles, horseback riding, cocktail social hours, concerts and late-night guitar pulls -- with the same tenacity and enthusiasm with which they are attacking Kevin's cancer. (Click here to read the Martins' first-hand account of their trip).

Since 1993, the Martell Foundation has enabled physicians and scientists of the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center to conduct cutting-edge research and quickly transition promising new findings from laboratory benches to patient bedsides. To date, the Nashville Division has raised $13 million in support of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's pilot projects. In turn, these contributions have been leveraged to obtain additional funding ñ totaling more than $100 million ñ from public and private sources to further advance ongoing efforts to alleviate suffering from cancer.

Big & Rich	Gretchen Wilson

Known as "The Ultimate Backstage Pass," Country in the Rockies offers guests opportunities to ski and socialize not only with these MuzikMafia standouts, but also with Charlie Daniels, Kenny Loggins and Jamie O'Neal, who will appear in concert at the Club Med Theater. Many of the industry's top artists and songwriters, including Jeffery Steele, Paul Overstreet, Aaron Barker, Chuck Cannon, Robert Earl Keen, Doug Johnson, Casey Beathard, Scotty Emerick, Leslie Satcher, Doug Crider, Harley Allen, Bob DiPiero, Gary Chapman, Deborah Allen, Suzy Bogguss, Lari White, Kathy Mattea and Jon Vezner, are also slated to perform.

Charlie Daniels	Jamie O'Neal	Kenny Loggins

The event has alpine skiing/snowboarding and music at its core, but offers something for everyone. Outdoor activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Indoors, participants enjoy all-star concerts, late-night fireside "guitar pulls," a celebrity-hosted happy hour in downtown Crested Butte and auctions that feature travel, artwork, jewelry and celebrity memorabilia.

The all-inclusive package provides guests with five days/nights at Club Med Crested Butte, lift tickets, meals and hospitality, as well as transportation on charter flights between Nashville and Gunnison, Colo. Guests also receive a gift bag with Fischer skis or a Nidecker snowboard, ski clothing, CD's and other items. Country in the Rockies is the signature fundraiser of the T.J. Martell Foundation's Nashville Division. Since 1993, the Martell Foundation has enabled physicians and scientists of the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center to conduct cutting-edge research and quickly transition promising new findings from laboratory benches to patient bedsides. To date, the Nashville Division has raised $13 million in support of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's pilot projects. In turn, these contributions have been leveraged to obtain additional funding - totaling more than $100 million - from public and private sources to further advance ongoing efforts to alleviate suffering from cancer.

The Frances Williams Preston Labs of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center are named for event founder Preston, former President & CEO of performing rights organization BMI. She also serves as president of the board for the Martell Foundation and as a Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center board member. Country in the Rockies XI is sponsored by BMI, Chevrolet and Club Med.

[bottom] Tom Annastas, Frances Preston, Kenny Loggins, Lari White, Suzy Bogguss, [top] Chuck Cannon, Jeffrey Steele, Tom Gross

A record-setting crowd of nearly 400 people gathered for the 10th anniversary of the signature fund-raiser for the T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, Leukemia and AIDS Research. The event directly supports the Foundation's Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, a facility named for BMI President & CEO Frances Preston.

Tim Rushlow, Trick Pony's Ira Dean, CMT's Lance Smith, Trick Pony's Keith Burns and Heidi Newfield, Bill Johnson

Ski races, outdoor activities like snowshoeing and sleigh rides, all-star concerts, informal late-night guitar pulls, a Celebrity Happy Hour fund- raising competition and much more gave participants entertainment options virtually round-the-clock. However, the cause behind the event was never far from mind.

VICC's Dr. Hal Moses, BMI's Frances Preston, and Tom Gross toast CITR's 10th Anniversary

"One in two of us in this room will face cancer in our lifetimes, so this is really important," Gary Chapman said, coaxing members of the audience to fill a passing pitcher with cash during the Celebrity Happy Hour. During this popular event, teams of singers, songwriters and others work hard to raise the most money in a two-hour period in five watering holes downtown; this year, they brought in more than $200,000 in exchange for singing favorite songs, signing autographs and posing for photos.

Raymond Hicks, Mimi Wallace, BMI's Joyce Rice, Deborah Allen, Vanderbilt's Dr. Wright Pinson

Country in the Rockies (CITR) kicked off Tuesday, Jan. 27 with an opening guitar pull featuring Gary Morris, Chuck Cannon, Lari White, Suzy Bogguss, Mandy Barnett, Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall. The following night, Paul Overstreet, Kathy Mattea, Trick Pony, Mel Tillis and his band The Statesiders continued the music in the Club Med Theater. The all-star finale on Jan. 31 featured Lorrie Morgan, Kenny Loggins, Robert Earl Keen and BMI Country Songwriter of the Year Jeffrey Steele. Other participating artists were Sherrie Austin, Deborah Allen, BlackHawk's Henry Paul, Dave Robbins and Anthony Crawford, Doug Crider, Dean Dillon, Bob DiPiero, Will Rambeaux, Tim Rushlow and western painter Kelly Donovan. Champion freestyle skier Wayne Wong returned to offer expert tips for Saturday's ski race and Tom Gross marked his 10th year as emcee of the week's activities.

VICC's Dr. Hal Moses, Orrin Ingram, Lee Ann Summers, VICC's Dr. Ray DuBois

Earning the nickname "King of Crested Butte," Aaron Barker was back for another year of hosting late-night guitar pulls. Barker also led a large group of artists in taking the music off the mountain and into the historic mining town of Crested Butte, where they performed concerts especially for the locals to thank them for their hospitality. "We look forward to this every year," 24-year Crested Butte resident Joe Snyder said. "The music is fabulous, and we are so grateful for the work that this event supports," he continued, noting that his wife, Brenda, is a two-year survivor of ovarian cancer.

Jessi Alexander, Stan Moress, Mandy Barnett, Jon Randall

In addition to a record-setting total number of participants, the event also drew a record 182 first-time guests. Suzy Bogguss, a veteran of six CITRs, said she was especially pleased to see so many new faces. "The cameraderie of this event and getting to know people from different worlds is what makes this event so special and so unique," she said.

Wayne Wong

Lorrie Morgan and Sammy Kershaw

Among other highlights of CITR X:

-- Barker's wife Theresa organized silent and live auctions of artwork, guitars and other instruments, jewelry, clothing, sports and celebrity memorabilia, and trips. Among the auction tidbits: a special CITR-edition Yamaha guitar was claimed for $4,000 by a Crested Butte resident on the eve of his wedding.

-- Mel Tillis shared funny stories with guests and fellow artists throughout the week, and even took up a new assignment as roving television reporter for Great American County, recording the festivities during Celebrity Happy Hour.

Mel Tillis, Chuck Cannon, BMI's Harry Warner

Carolyn Corlew, Charlie Daniels, Tom Gross

-- Charlie Daniels shared inspirational words about his experience as a cancer survivor and thanked everyone for their support of cancer research. Daniels, who headlined one of the concerts at CITR 7, was diagnosed with prostate cancer the following year and received his treatment at Vanderbilt-Ingram.

-- More than two dozen doctors, scientists and other staff from Vanderbilt were on hand to meet with supporters and share information about how money raised through Country in the Rockies is put to use in Nashville. The Vanderbilt team also presented a video highlighting accomplishments of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center - accomplishments made possible with the support of CITR, the Martell Foundation and others. The video was produced by Jackson/Kent, with Jon Kent as creative director and Vali Forrister as executive producer.

Sherrie Austin and Will Rambeaux

"We are so grateful for the support we receive from everyone who has participated in Country in the Rockies over the years," said Dr. Hal Moses, director of Vanderbilt-Ingram and the Preston Laboratories. "I'm looking forward to all the fun we're going to have and the progress we are going to make together over the next 10 years."

Dean Dillon, Aaron Barker, Gary Chapman

In addition to the ever-expanding list of guests and participating artists, the number of sponsors of the event grows each year as well. This year, sponsors included BMI, Club Med, CMT, Coca-Cola, Ortho-Biotech, the Smith-Free Group, AmSouth, Bank of America, Yamaha, Baldwin, Gibson, Gurley & Co, the Gary Group, American Airlines, Fischer, Leki, Cowboys & Indians, Dasani, Jack Daniel's, Hall Booth Smith & Slover, Travis Television, Icue Productions, Audio Visual Projection Services, and Country Music Across America.

Kelly Donovan with auction winners Paul & Julie Overstreet

Dates for 2005 have already been confirmed as February 1-6 at Club Med Crested Butte.

Photos by Alan Mayor

Citations of Achievement will be presented to the writers and publishers of the top 50 songs, culminating 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 distinguished talents who have previously been crowned BMI Country Songwriter of the Year are last year's winner Jeffrey Steele, as well as Vince Gill, Harlan Howard, Don Gibson, Bill Anderson, Roger Miller, John D. Loudermilk, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Dennis Morgan, Paul Overstreet, Shania Twain, Tom Shapiro, Troy Verges, Dixie Chick Martie Maguire, Ronnie Dunn, Bobby Braddock and eight-time victor Billy Sherrill.]]> 2004-02-18T17:00:00-05:00