Jim Beavers is the younger brother of contemporarily prolific producer, songwriter and musician Brett Beavers. "I'm not sure, but I believe I'm a bit younger than you were when you scored your first no. 1, Brett," Beavers quipped, "By about 19 days. Not that I'm counting, or anything."

Photos by John Russell

Rodney Atkins nailed the capstone on his red-letter year by receiving six nominations, including Top Male Vocalist, Album and Song of the Year. One of the feel-good stories of 2007, Atkins saw his ACM-nominated project If You're Going Through Hell achieve platinum status. After toiling in Nashville for 10 years in relatively ambiguity, the universally loved honky tonker's hard-earned recognition and fan-driven success slapped smiles on faces all over Music Row.

Duos Big & Rich and Sugarland each scored four nods. Charismatic and eclectic, Big & Rich earned recognition in the prestigious Top Vocal Duo category and Single, Song and Video of the Year for the poignant ballad "Lost in this Moment." Big Kenny landed an additional two nominations for his producing credits. Sugarland underscored their staying power with a Top Vocal Duo nod as well; the pair's stirringly original tune "Stay" became one of the industry's buzz songs, earning nominations for Single Record, Song and Video of the Year. Member Kristian Bush also earned recognition for his production of the tune.

Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift snagged three nods each. Critical darling Lambert's nominations for Top Female Vocalist, Album and Single Record of the Year reflect both the growth of her audience and creativity. Country's favorite wunderkind Taylor Swift's nominations reflect the strength of her year: nods in both Top Female Vocalist and Top New Female Vocalist reiterate the breakout strength of her year.

BMI affiliates swept both the Top Vocal Duo and Top New Male Vocalist categories. Duo nominees include Brooks & Dunn, Halfway to Hazard and Montgomery Gentry; Luke Bryan, Jack Ingram and Jake Owen will vie for the Top New Male Vocalist prize.

Additional BMI nominees include Keith Urban for Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist; Rascal Flatts, also for Entertainer of the Year plus Top Vocal Group; Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood for Top Female Vocalist; Diamond Rio, the Eagles and Little Big Town for Top Vocal Group; Sarah Buxton for Top New Female Vocalist; Lady Antebellum and The Wreckers for Top New Duo Vocal Group; Gary Allan and his latest no. 1 single "Watching Airplanes" for Single Record of the Year; producers Tony Brown, Mark Wright, Nathan Chapman, Scott Borchetta, John Hobbs, Justin Niebank and Byron Gallimore; songwriters Rodney Clawson and Keith Anderson for co-penning Big & Rich's "Lost in this Moment"; as well as Tim McGraw, Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow in the Vocal Event of the Year category.

2008 BMI ACM Award Nominees

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban

TOP MALE VOCALIST
Rodney Atkins
Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

TOP VOCAL GROUP
Diamond Rio
Eagles
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts

TOP VOCAL DUO
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Halfway To Hazard
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
Luke Bryan
Jack Ingram
Jake Owen

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST
Sarah Buxton
Taylor Swift

TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
Lady Antebellum
The Wreckers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Miranda Lambert (Columbia)

If You're Going Through Hell
Rodney Atkins (Curb)
Co-produced by Rodney Atkins

Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift (Big Machine)
Produced by Scott Borchetta, Nathan Chapman

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Famous In A Small Town"
Miranda Lambert
Columbia

Lost In This Moment"
Big & Rich
Co-produced by Big Kenny
Warner Bros/WRN

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

"Watching Airplanes"
Gary Allan
Co-produced by Gary Allan, Mark Wright
MCA Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
"Don't Blink"
Co-written by Casey Beathard
Publishers: Lavender Zoo Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Acuff
Rose (BMI)

"Lost In This Moment"
Big & Rich
Co-written by Keith Anderson, Rodney Clawson
Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Writer's Extreme Music (BMI)

"Watching You"
Rodney Atkins
Co-written by Rodney Atkins, Steve Dean
Publishers: Bethar Music (BMI), Mike Curb Music (BMI)

"Stay"
Sugarland

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
"Lost In This Moment"
Big & Rich
Co-produced by Big Kenny

"Stay"
Sugarland
Producer: Kristian Bush, Byron Gallimore

"Watching You"
Rodney Atkins

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
"Because Of You"
Produced by Tony Brown
MCA Nashville

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are"
Featuring Tim McGraw

"What You Give Away"
Vince Gill With Sheryl Crow
Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs, Justin Niebank
MCA Nashville

Country music sensation and last year’s Top New Female Vocalist Carrie Underwood carried her streak of success into 2007, bagging five nominations, including Top Female Vocalist, Album and Single of the Year.

2006’s top selling country artists Rascal Flatts are up for Entertainer, Top Vocal Group, Album and Single of the Year. Big & Rich scored a total of four nominations in recognition of their diverse work as songwriters, artists and collaborators.

Old friends and country mainstays Tony Brown and Vince Gill each secured three nominations. Gill’s now platinum These Days earned an Album of the Year nod, while Brown’s production work on the last albums by George Strait and Brooks & Dunn turned Academy heads in his direction.

Singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert autonomously bridges the gap between newbees and veterans, snagging nominations in both Top New Female Vocalist and Top Female Vocalist of the Year categories. Jason Aldean earned two nods as well for his hit “Amarillo Sky.” Little Big Town, The Wreckers and Rodney Atkins also landed two nominations each.

The Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 8 p.m. ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

BMI's 2007 ACM Nominees

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Tim McGraw
Rascal Flatts

TOP MALE VOCALIST
Toby Keith
Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
Sara Evans
Faith Hill
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood

TOP VOCAL GROUP
Diamond Rio
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts

TOP VOCAL DUO
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
Rodney Atkins
Craig Morgan

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift

TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
Heartland
Little Big Town
The Wreckers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Hillbilly Deluxe
Brooks & Dunn (Arista Nashville)
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
#3 Produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks
#6 Original demo produced by Kix Brooks, Tom Shapiro

It Just Comes Natural
Produced by Tony Brown

Me and My Gang
Rascal Flatts (Lyric Street Records)
Produced by Rascal Flatts

Some Hearts
Carrie Underwood (19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records)

These Days
Vince Gill (MCA Nashville)
Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs, Justin Niebank

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood

"Give It Away"
Produced by Tony Brown

"I Loved Her First"
Heartland

"What Hurts the Most"
Rascal Flatts
Produced by Rascal Flatts

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
"Amarillo Sky"
Jason Aldean
Writers: Big Kenny, Rodney Clawson
Publishers: Big Love Music, Carol Vincent and Associates, Grinnin' Girl Music
"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood

"Give It Away"
Writers: Bill Anderson, Jamey Johnson
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Mr. Bubba Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing, EMI Blackwood Music Inc.

"If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)"
Rodney Atkins

"Would You Go With Me"
Writers: Shawn Camp, John Scott Sherrill
Publishers: Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog Music/Travelin' Arkansawyer Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog Music/City Wolf Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
"8th of November"
Big & Rich

"Amarillo Sky"
Jason Aldean

"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood

"Hillbilly Deluxe"
Brooks & Dunn

"Seashores of Old Mexico"
Director: Trey Fanjoy

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
"Building Bridges"
Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville

"I Don't Want To"
Ashley Monroe & Ronnie Dunn
Produced by Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville

"Me and God"
Featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams and Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio
MCA Nashville

"Politically Uncorrect"
Featuring Merle Haggard
Produced by Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville

"That's How They Do It In Dixie"
Hank Williams Jr. with Big & Rich
Produced by Doug Johnson for Curb Productions
Curb Records

Brooks & Dunn	Keith Urban	Carrie Underwood

Brooks & Dunn garnered a whopping six nominations for their work last year, plus a Song of the Year nod for member Ronnie Dunn's co-writing skills on the pair's moving hit, "Believe." The duo will also vie for awards in the Entertainer, Album, Single, Vocal Duo, Musical Event, and Video of the Year categories.

Rascal Flatts	Big Kenny	Faith Hill

Superstar Keith Urban received due acknowledgement of another outstanding year, securing four nominations, including yet another Male Vocalist of the Year nomination; Urban won the award consecutively in 2004 & 2005. His name also appears in Entertainer, Single and Song of the Year divisions.

Little Big Town	Miranda Lambert

Carrie Underwood continues on the road to superstardom, earning four nominations, including Female Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon Award, the title bestowed upon the most promising up-and-comer of the year. Rascal Flatts secured nominations in the prestigious Entertainer, Vocal Group and Album of the Year categories. The dynamic Big & Rich also received three nominations, including Vocal Duo of the Year.

Faith Hill earned a solo nod for Female Vocalist of the Year and a nomination for her collaboration with husband Tim McGraw in the Musical Event of the Year category for "Like We Never Loved At All," while Little Big Town also garnered two nominations, one for Vocal Group of the Year and the other for the Horizon Award. Joining Little Big Town in the Horizon Award race are Sugarland and Miranda Lambert, who also landed Vocal Group of the Year and Video of the Year nods, respectively.

Other nominations include perennial favorites Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas for Vocal Group of the Year, the Wreckers for Vocal Duo of the Year, and dobro master Jerry Douglas for Musician of the Year. Martina McBride earned another Female Vocalist of the Year nomination, along with Sara Evans. Lonestar and Montgomery Gentry earned nominations in the Vocal Group and Vocal Duo of the Year categories, respectively.

Brooks & Dunn will host the ceremony for the third year. The CMA Awards will be broadcast live (8:00-11:00 p.m./ET) from the Gaylord Entertainment Center on ABC. Tickets for the awards go on sale Sept. 15 at Ticketmaster outlets.

2006 BMI CMA AWARD NOMINEES
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban


SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to artist and producer)

"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Tony Brown/Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn
Arista Nashville

"Better Life"
Keith Urban
Produced by Keith Urban
Capitol Records Nashville

"Jesus Take The Wheel"
Carrie Underwood
Arista Nashville


ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to artist and producer)

Hillbilly Deluxe
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Ronnie Dunn/Kix Brooks/Mark Wright/Tom Shapiro/Tony Brown/Bob DiPiero
Arista Nashville

Me And My Gang
Rascal Flatts
Produced Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street Records


SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to songwriter and primary publisher)

"8th of November"
Big Kenny
Big Love Music

"Believe"
Ronnie Dunn
Sony/ATV Tree/Showbilly Music

"Tonight I Wanna Cry"
Keith Urban
Guitar Monkey Music/Coburn Music

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
George Teren
House of Full Circle Music


FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Sara Evans
Faith Hill
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood


MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Keith Urban


VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Alison Krauss + Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland


VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Wreckers


MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn (Guest vocals by Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill)
“Building Bridges”
Arista Nashville

Faith Hill Featuring Tim McGraw
“Like We Never Loved At All”
Warner Bros. Records

Gretchen Wilson (Featuring Merle Haggard)
“Politically Uncorrect”
Epic Records

Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)
“When I Get Where I’m Going”
Arista Nashville


MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Brent Mason – Guitar/Electric Guitar
Randy Scruggs – Guitar


MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to artist and director)

"8th of November"
Big & Rich

"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn

"Jesus Take The Wheel"
Carrie Underwood

"Kerosene"
Miranda Lambert
Directed by Trey Fanjoy

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)


HORIZON AWARD

Miranda Lambert
Little Big Town
Sugarland
Carrie Underwood]]> 2006-08-31T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334729 Artists, Alabama, Aldean, Jason, Allan, Gary, Big & Rich, Brignardello, Mike, Brooks & Dunn, Bush, Kristian, Corenflos, J.T., Darken, Eric, Duncan, Glen, Dunn, Ronnie, Evans, Sara, Franklin, Larry, Franklin, Paul, Gallimore, Byron, Garrish, Sonny, Gentry, Montgomery, Greenberg, Kenny, Hajacos, Rob, Haynie, Aubrey, Hill, Faith, Hoke, Jim, Horn, Jim, Hughey, John, Hungate, David, Ickes, Rob, Johnson, Doug, Johnson, Mike, Keith, Toby, Lambert, Miranda, Little Big Town, Lonestar, McBride, Martina, McGraw, Tim, Morgan, Craig, Mote, Gordon, Niebank, Justin, Parton, Dolly, Paxton, Larry, Rascal Flatts, Roberts, Julie, Sugarland, Teren, George, Underwood, Carrie, Urban, Keith, Wright, Mark, Wynans, Reese, Yudkin, Jonathan, Musical Styles, Country Academy of Country Music Award nominations, announced March 8. The pair is up for Entertainer, Top Vocal Duo, Single Record, Song and Video of the Year for "Believe."

Brooks & Dunn	Sugarland	Little Big Town

In addition to the veteran duo, new faces dominated many of the categories this year, from Sugarland's Top New Vocal Duo or Group, Album, Single Record and Song of the Year nominations, to Rascal Flatt's first-ever Entertainer of the Year nod, adding to the trio's total of four ACM nominations (including Top Vocal Group, Album and Song).

Miranda Lambert	Julie Roberts	Carrie Underwood

Newcomers Miranda Lambert, Julie Roberts and Carrie Underwood are all contenders for Top New Female Vocalist, while Underwood gained an impressive Top Female Vocalist nomination as well. Comeback kids Little Big Town continue to plunge through their life-changing year with nominations for Top Vocal Group and Top New Duo or Vocal Group.

Rascal Flatts	Gary Allan	Mark Wright

BMI writers vying for the Song of the Year trophy include Sugarland's Kristian Bush for "Baby Girl," Ronnie Dunn for "Believe," Doug Johnson for the Rascal Flatts' hit "Skin (Sarabeth)" and George Teren for "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Dolly Parton.

Keith Urban	Toby Keith	Tim McGraw

Songwriter/producer/artist Gary Allan received praise for his moving release, Tough All Over, nominated for Album of the Year; he also scored a Single Record of the Year nomination for "Best I Ever Had." Mark Wright, the album's co-producer, hopes to share the spotlight with Allan.

Faith Hill	Big and Rich	Byron Gallimore

Fan favorites Keith Urban and Toby Keith earned two nods each and will face off in the Entertainer of the Year category, while Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's collaboration "Like We Never Loved at All" landed the couple a Vocal Event of the Year nomination.

Other BMI nominees included Big and Rich, who garnered three mentions, and producer Byron Gallimore, who secured yet another nomination for Producer of the Year.

The 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 23 at 8:00pm ET/PT on CBS.

BMI's 41st Annual ACM Nominees:

Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban

Top Male Vocalist
Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist
Sara Evans
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood

Top Vocal Group
Alabama
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland

Top Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers

Top New Male Vocalist
Jason Aldean
Craig Morgan

Top New Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Julie Roberts
Carrie Underwood

Top New Duo or Vocal Group
Big & Rich
Little Big Town
Sugarland

Album of the Year
Feels Like Today
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts, producer

There's More Where That Came From
Byron Gallimore, producer

Tough All Over
Gary Allan
Mark Wright and Gary Allan, producers

Twice the Speed of Life
Sugarland

Single Record of the Year
"Baby Girl"
Sugarland

"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn
Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks, producers

"Best I Ever Had"
Gary Allan
Mark Wright and Gary Allan, producers

"Jesus Take the Wheel"
Carrie Underwood

Song of the Year
"Baby Girl"
Sugarland
Kristian Bush, writer
Dirkpit Music

"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn
Ronnie Dunn, writer
Sony/ATV Tree Publishing Co. and Showbilly Music

"Jesus Take the Wheel"
Carrie Underwood

"Skin (Sarabeth)"
Rascal Flatts
Doug Johnson, writer
Mike Curb Music/Sweet Radical Music

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Dolly Parton
George Teren, writer
House of Full Circle Music Publishing

Video of the Year
"As Good As I Once Was"
Toby Keith

"Believe"
Brooks & Dunn

"I May Hate Myself in the Morning"
Trey Fanjoy, director

"Kersosene"
Miranda Lambert
Trey Fanjoy, director

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Dolly Parton

Vocal Event of the Year
"I Play Chicken with the Train"
Big & Rich
Big Kenny, producer

"Like We Never Loved at All"
Faith Hill with Tim McGraw
Faith Hill, producer

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Dolly Parton

Producer of the Year
Byron Gallimore

Audio Engineer of the Year
Justin Niebank

Musicians of the Year
Bass
Mike Brignardello
David Hungate
Larry Paxton

Fiddle
Glen Duncan
Larry Franklin
Rob Hajacos
Aubrey Haynie
Jonathan Yudkin

Guitar
J.T. Corenflos
Kenny Greenberg

Piano/Keyboards
Gordon Mote
Reese Wynans

Specialty Instrument
Eric Darken
Jim Hoke
Jim Horn
Rob Ickes

Steel Guitar
Paul Franklin
Sonny Garrish
John Hughey
Mike Johnson

BMI's Harry Warner, Troy Gentry, Eddie Montgomery, Jeffrey Steele and BMI's Paul Corbin

Taken to the top of the charts by Sony Nashville recording artists Montgomery Gentry, the song (co-written with Chris Wallin) is included on the country duo's recently released greatest hits album of the same name. Other Steele co-writes on the MG disc include "Gone," "Hell Yeah," "Speed" and "My Town."

BMI songwriters Jeffrey Steele and Mark Wright

Steele has also co-written cuts for Tim McGraw ("The Cowboy in Me"), Diamond Rio ("Unbelievable"), Rascal Flatts ("These Days"), Faith Hill ("When the Lights Go Down"), Trace Adkins ("I'm Tryin'," "Chrome") and LeAnn Rimes ("Big Deal"), among many others.

BMI songwriter Chuck Cannon, NSAI's Virginia Davis and BMI's Paul Corbin

In addition to being named BMI's 2003 Country Songwriter of the Year, the Grammy-nominated songwriter was also honored as NSAI's Songwriter of the Year in both 2003 and 2005.

BMI songwriter Jeffrey Steele, BMI's David Preston, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry

Nashville Convention & Visitor's Bureau's Caroline Davis, Stephanie Steele and photographer Kay Williams

Shane Minor, Phil O'Donnell, Buddy Owens, Jamie Johnson, Randy Houser, Kendal Marvel and BMI's Shelby Kennedy

"Something To Be Proud Of" co-writers Chris Wallin and Jeffrey Steele

Songwriter Craig Wiseman, AM South Bank's Lisa Harless and songwriter Chris Wallin

Tim McGraw	Keith Urban	Toby Keith

BMI songwriters nominated for Song of the Year were Tim Nichols for "Live Like You Were Dying"; Toby Keith and Chuck Cannon for "American Soldier"; Bobby E. Boyd, Marcus Hummon and Jeff Hanna for "Bless the Broken Road"; and Bill Anderson and Jon Randall for "Whiskey Lullaby."

Alison Krauss	Byron Gallimore

Alison Krauss scored five nominations: one for Alison Krauss + Union Station as Top Vocal Group and four courtesy of song, video, single, and vocal event nominee "Whiskey Lullaby." Keith Urban, reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Toby Keith and producer Byron Gallimore received four nods each. Big & Rich, Rascal Flatts and producer Mark Wright received three nominations each.

Big & Rich	Mark Wright

Diamond Rio paired their Top Vocal Group nomination with one for the Home Depot Humanitarian Award; online voting is underway for the fan-voted honor.

The ACM Awards show, set for May 17 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, will be broadcast live on CBS-TV.

Rascal Flatts	Julie Roberts

BMI nominees for the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards:

Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Keith Urban

Top Vocal Group
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Diamond Rio
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
The Notorious Cherry Bombs

Top New Artist
Big & Rich
Julie Roberts

Top Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers

Diamond Rio	Sara Evans

Top Female Vocalist
Sara Evans
Martina McBride

Top Male Vocalist
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Keith Urban

Video of the Year
"Live Like You Were Dying"
Tim McGraw

"Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)"
Big & Rich

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Alison Krauss

Brooks & Dunn	Martina McBride

Vocal Event of the Year
"Creepin' In"
Norah Jones and Dolly Parton
Arif Mardin and Norah Jones, producers

"Hey Good Lookin'"
with Clint Black and Toby Keith
Michael Utley, producer

"Party for Two"
Shania Twain

"When the Sun Goes Down"
Uncle Kracker

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Alison Krauss

Song of the Year
"American Soldier"
Toby Keith
Toby Keith and Chuck Cannon, writers
Tokeco Tunes and Wacissa River Music, Inc.

"Bless the Broken Road"
Rascal Flatts
Marcus Hummon, Bobby E. Boyd and Jeff Hanna, writers
Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. and Jeff Diggs Music

"Live Like You Were Dying"
Tim McGraw
Tim Nichols, writer
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Alison Krauss
Bill Anderson and Jon Randall, writers
Mr. Bubba Music, Inc., Reynsong Publishing Corp., Sony/ATV Tree and WhaYa Say Music

Single Record of the Year
"Bless the Broken Road"
Rascal Flatts, artist/producer

"Days Go By"
Keith Urban, artist/producer

"I May Hate Myself in the Morning"
Byron Gallimore, producer

"Live Like You Were Dying"
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw, Byron Gallimore and Darran Smith, producers

"Redneck Woman"
Mark Wright and Joe Scaife producers

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Alison Krauss

Album of the Year
Be Here
Keith Urban
Producers: Keith Urban

Here for the Party
Mark Wright and Joe Scaife, producers

Live Like You Were Dying
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw, Byron Gallimore and Darran Smith, producers

Restless
Sara Evans, artist/producer

Producer of the Year
Bryon Gallimore
James Stroud
Mark Wright

Engineer of the Year
Justin Niebank

Musicians of the Year
Bass
Mike Brignardello
David Hungate
Larry Paxton

Drums
Eric Darken

Fiddle
Glen Duncan
Stuart Duncan
Larry Franklin
Rob Hajacos
Jonathan Yudkin

Guitar
J.T. Corenflos
John Jorgenson
Brent Mason
Bryan Sutton

Piano/Keyboards
Gordon Mote

Specialty Instrument
Jim Hoke
Jim Horn
Rob Ickes
Randy Scruggs

Steel
Dan Dugmore
Sonny Garrish
John Hughey
Mike Johnson
Robby Turner]]> 2005-03-07T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234171 Artists, Alabama, Anderson, Bill, Big & Rich, Black, Clint, Brooks & Dunn, Buffett, Jimmy, Evans, Sara, Gentry, Montgomery, Jennings, Waylon, Jones, Norah, Keith, Toby, Krauss, Alison, Kristofferson, Kris, Lonestar, McBride, Martina, McGraw, Tim, Nichols, Tim, Parton, Dolly, Rascal Flatts, Roberts, Julie, Stegall, Keith, Stevens, Ray, Trick Pony, Uncle Kracker, Urban, Keith, Wright, Mark, Musical Styles, Country Toby Keith led the list of BMI-affiliated nominees for the 38th Annual Country Music Association Awards (announced August 30). Nominated for Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Shock'N Y'all, Keith also picked up Single and Music Video mentions for "I Love This Bar." He is also eligible for trophies as co-producer of his nominated album and single.

Toby Keith	Alison Krauss	Mark Wright

Alison Krauss followed Keith with five CMA nods, including a third consecutive Female Vocalist nomination; Single, Video and Musical Event listings for her work on "Whiskey Lullaby;" and a second Musical Event nod for "How's the World Treating You" from Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers.

Brooks & Dunn	Jimmy Buffett

Other BMI talents collecting multiple CMA mentions were Mark Wright and first-time show hosts Brooks & Dunn with three each; and Big & Rich, Jimmy Buffett, Tim McGraw, Joe Scaife and James Stroud with two each.

Big & Rich	Tim McGraw

Multiple BMI-Award winning songwriter/artist Kris Kristofferson. will be inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame during the CMA Award telecast. Artists including Waylon Jennings, Ronnie Milsap, Ray Stevens and Gladys Knight have recorded songs from his catalog, which features "Me and Bobby McGee," "One Day At a Time," and "Sunday Morning Coming Down."

James Stroud	Julie Roberts	Martina McBride

The CMA Awards show will take place November 9 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and will be broadcast live on CBS-TV.

BMI's 2004 CMA Awards Nominees

Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Martina McBride

Male Vocalist of the Year
Toby Keith
Keith Urban

Montgomery Gentry	Sara Evans

Horizon Award
Big & Rich
Julie Roberts

Vocal Group of the Year
Alabama
Diamond Rio
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
Trick Pony

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers

The Warren Brothers	Dolly Parton	Norah Jones

Single of the Year
"I Love This Bar"
Toby Keith
Toby Keith and James Stroud, producers

"Live Like You Were Dying"
Tim McGraw
Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw and Darran Smith, producers

"Redneck Woman"
Mark Wright and Joe Scaife, producers

"Remember When"
Keith Stegall,
producer

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Alison Krauss

Album of the Year
Here For The Party
Mark Wright and Joe Scaife, producers

Red Dirt Road
Brooks & Dunn
Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn and Mark Wright, producers

Shock 'N Y'All
Toby Keith
Toby Keith and James Stroud, producers

Music Video of the Year
"I Love This Bar"
Toby Keith

"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
Jimmy Buffett

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Alison Krauss

Musical Event of the Year
"Creepin' In"
Norah Jones with
Dolly Parton

"Hey Good Lookin'"
Jimmy Buffett with Clint Black and Toby Keith

"How's The World Treating You"
Alison Krauss

"When The Sun Goes Down"
Uncle Kracker

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Alison Krauss

Song of the Year
"Live Like You Were Dying"
Tim Nichols, writer
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., publisher

"Whiskey Lullaby"
Bill Anderson and Jon
Randall, writers
Mr. Bubba Music, Inc., Reynsong Publishing Corp., Sony/ATV Tree and Wha
Ya Say Music, publishers

Musician of the Year
Kenny Greenberg
Electric Guitar

Larry Paxton
Bass Guitar

Broadcast Personality of the Year
Eddie Stubbs
Steve McGrew

Hall of Fame
Kris Kristofferson]]> 2004-09-08T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234002 Artists, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Buffett, Jimmy, Byrd, Tracy, Daniels, Charlie, Evans, Sara, Gentry, Montgomery, Gill, Vince, Green, Pat, Griggs, Andy, Jewell, Buddy, Johnson, Doug, Keith, Toby, Krauss, Alison, Lonestar, Loveless, Patty, McBride, Martina, McGraw, Tim, Mobley, Wendell, Nelson, Willie, Rascal Flatts, Shelton, Blake, Stegall, Keith, Trick Pony, Twain, Shania, Urban, Keith, Wright, Mark, Musical Styles, Country Brooks & Dunn and Toby Keith received five nominations each when the nominees for the 39th annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced in Los Angeles on March 10.

Brooks & Dunn

Toby Keith

Brooks & Dunn - who have collected 18 ACM trophies so far -- were recognized in the categories of Entertainer, Top Vocal Duo, and Single Record, Song and Album on the strength of Red Dirt Road and its title track. Reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith appeared again in that category, as well as in the running for Top Male Vocalist, Single Record ("American Soldier"), Album (Shock 'N Y'all) and ACM/Launch Video ("Beer For My Horses").

Jimmy Buffett

Martina McBride

Keith Stegall

Following closely with four mentions each were long-time BMI affiliates Jimmy Buffett, Martina McBride and producer Keith Stegall. Other multiple BMI-nominees were producer James Stroud with three, and Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, and producers Mark Wright and Tony Brown with two each.

Tim McGraw

Montgomery Gentry

In addition to Keith, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, BMI songwriters on the exclusive Song of the Year list were Don Rollins ("It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"), Wendell Mobley ("There Goes My Life") and Doug Johnson ("Three Wooden Crosses").

James Stroud

Mark Wright

Don Rollins

McBride and BMI Award-winning legend Charlie Daniels were also nominated for the Academy of Country Music/Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The first fan-voted award in the Academy's history, this honor salutes an artist or group in the country music industry who is committed to serving others, has a generosity of spirit and a dedication to helping build the dreams of those in need.

Wendell Mobley

Doug Johnson

Charlie Daniels

The ACM ceremony will be broadcast on Wednesday, May 26, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS Television Network, from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

BMI's ACM Nominees:

Entertainer of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw

Top Male Vocalist
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist
Sara Evans
Patty Loveless
Martina McBride
Shania Twain

Top New Artist
Pat Green
Buddy Jewell

Top Vocal Group
Alabama
Diamond Rio
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts
Trick Pony

Top Vocal Duo
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers

Single Record of the Year
"American Soldier"
Toby Keith/James Stroud, Toby Keith, Producers
"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
Jimmy Buffett/Keith Stegall, Producer
"Red Dirt Road"
Brooks & Dunn/Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Mark Wright, Producers
"Remember When"
Keith Stegall, Producer

Song Of The Year
"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
Don Rollins, Songwriter/R. Joseph Publishing, Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Co., Publishers/Jimmy Buffett, Artist
"Red Dirt Road"
Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Songwriters/ Buffalo Prairie Songs, Showbilly Music, Sony-ATV Tree Publishing, Publishers/Brooks & Dunn, Artists
"There Goes My Life"
Wendell Mobley, Songwriter/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Co., Publisher
"Three Wooden Crosses"
Doug Johnson, Songwriter/Mike Curb Music, Sweet Radical Music, Publishers

Album Of The Year
Honkytonkville
Tony Brown, Producer
Martina
Martina McBride, Artist/Producer
Red Dirt Road
Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Mark Wright, Producers/Brooks & Dunn, Artists
Shock 'N Y'all
James Stroud, Toby Keith, Producers/Toby Keith, Artist

Vocal Event of the Year
"How's The World Treating You"
Alison Krauss
"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
Jimmy Buffett, Artist/Keith Stegall, Producer
"The Truth About Men"
Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs, Blake Shelton, Montgomery Gentry, Artists/Tracy Byrd, Producer
"Working For A Living"
Byron Gallimore, Producer
"Young Man's Town" Vince Gill, Artist/Producer

ACM/Launch Video of the Year
"Beer For My Horses"
Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Artists
"Concrete Angel"
Martina McBride, Artist
"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
Jimmy Buffett, Artist

Producer of the Year
Tony Brown
Keith Stegall
James Stroud

Audio Engineer of the Year
Billy Sherrill

Guitar
J. T. Corenflos

Bass
David Hungate
Mike Brignardello

Steel Guitar
Sonny Garrish
Dan Dugmore

Piano/Keyboard
John Hobbs
Gordon Mote

Fiddle
Aubrey Haynie
Rob Hajacos
Stuart Duncan
Glen Duncan
Jonathan Yudkin

Specialty Instrument
Eric Darken
Jim Horn
Terry McMillan]]> 2004-03-11T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233928 Artists, Allan, Gary, Allen, Harley, Ketchum, Hal, Krauss, Alison, Shelton, Blake, Urban, Keith, Wright, Mark, Musical Styles, Country, Urban Harley Allen, co-writer Don Sampson and MCA artist Gary Allan celebrated the song's #1 achievement. Also recognized for their contributions were publisher Coburn Music, Inc., producer Mark Wright and Luke Lewis on behalf of MCA Nashville.

Don Sampson, Harley Allen, BMI's Joyce Rice, Gary Allan

This is Harley Allen's fourth #1, following "The Baby" (Blake Shelton), "Between the Devil and Me" (Alan Jackson) and "The Little Girl" (John Michael Montgomery). Other artists who have recorded his songs include Daryl Worley, Ricky Skaggs, John Conlee, Alison Krauss, Garth Brooks, Hal Ketchum and Linda Ronstadt. He also garnered two Grammys (Album and Best Country Collaboration), two CMA Awards (Album and Single) and two ACM Awards (Album and Vocal Event) for his work with the Soggy Bottom Boys on 2001's smash soundtrack "O Brother, Where Art Thou?".

Gary Allan, Mark Wright

Sony Music's Clay Bradley, Gary Allan

With the success of "Tough Little Boys," from his platinum album See If I Care, Gary Allan has enjoyed back to back #1 singles - "Man To Man" was the first, from 2001's Gold+ release Alright Guy. His latest single is "Songs About Rain."

Storme Warren, BMI's Patsy Bradley and Patsy Wells

keith urban, Debbie Allen, Harley Allen, BMI's Joyce Rice

Harley Allen, Wayland Patton, Carl Jackson

Photos by Kay Williams