Toby Keith Honored for NSAI Artist Endowment Gift

Posted in News on September 20, 2000

Singer/songwriter Toby Keith became the first donor to the Nashville Songwriters Association International�s newly-created �Artist Endowment" fund, formalized during a reception honoring Keith at BMI Nashville on September 18. Keith�s $10,000 contribution to NSAI will help fund the organization�s efforts to fight for copyright protection throughout the world.

BMI's Roger Sovine; Dreamworks Records Nashville's James Stroud; Toby Keith; Marijohn Wilkin; Mark Alan Springer; Chuck Cannon; NSAI's Bart Herbison

�We are honored that Toby became the first contributor to the NSAI Artist Endowment fund,� said NSAI President Mark Alan Springer. �Toby is a great songwriter and it is only fitting that a fellow writer be the first NSAI Artist Endowment donor. Toby recognizes the important work we do to protect copyrights and to assist aspiring songwriters throughout the world.�

Jerry Chesnut, with his 2 Million-Air certificate for "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", and BMI's David Preston

BMI's Thomas Cain and Max D. Barnes

Since his 1993 debut single, "Should�ve Been a Cowboy," the Oklahoma native has racked up his share of mainstream success, both on radio and in record stores. He�s scored six #1 Country hits (including "Cowboy") and earned nominations for Grammy, ACM and CMA awards. He has collected BMI Country Awards as a writer and publisher (Tokeco Tunes) for "Cowboy," "Who's That Man," "Wish I Didn't Know Now," "You Ain't Much Fun," "Me, Too," "He Ain't Worth Missin," "Blue Moon" (all Million-Airs) and "Dream Walkin."

BMI's Harry Warner, Harold Shedd and Toby Keith

BMI's Roger Sovine, Keith's frequent co-writer, Chuck Cannon ("How Do You Like Me Now?!", "Getcha Some") and Dreamworks Records Nashville executive James Stroud joined Herbison and Springer for introductory remarks before Keith presented the check to NSAI, with founding board member Marijohn Wilkin accepting.

Hillary Kanter and Even Stevens

AmSouth's Lisa Harless, James Dean Hicks and Becky Hobbs

All artists who participate in the Artist Endowment program will be permanently honored with a plaque recognizing their contribution. Additionally they will be awarded a �Lifetime Membership� in the organization.

Chuck Cannon with T. K. Kimbrell of TKO Management

Russ Zavitson, Mark Alan Springer and Tony Haselden

�NSAI has achieved some significant copyright protection victories this year,� said NSAI Executive Director Barton Herbison. �From exempting songwriter royalties from a proposed 6% state tax on the self employed, to ensuring that writers are compensated for the use of their works on the Internet, NSAI has served as the �songwriters� voice� on a variety of fronts.�

Liz Hengber, Lari White and Victoria Shaw

Jeffrey Steele and Craig Wiseman

In January 2001, the Nashville Songwriters Association International will change its name to the �National Songwriters Association.� With more than 100 chapters located throughout the United States and 12,000 current or past members, the National Songwriters Association will put even greater emphasis and resources into its efforts to protect songwriter copyrights and assist aspiring songwriters throughout the United States and the world.

For more information check out NashvilleSongwriters.com.

SOURCENews TAGS Country Important International Artists Chuck Cannon Jerry Chesnut James Dean Hicks Toby Keith Jeffrey Steele