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/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

Co-sponsored by BMI, the ski-and-music event - the Ultimate Backstage Pass - is slated for Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, 2004. It is the signature fundraiser for the T.J. Martell Foundation's Nashville Division and supports groundbreaking work by cancer researchers at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's Frances Williams Preston Laboratories, named after BMI President and CEO Frances Preston. She is also the president of the board for the Martell Foundation and serves on the board of VICC.

"Over the past 10 years, Country in the Rockies has become a family reunion of sorts, with the renewal of friendships and acquaintances among artists and songwriters, doctors and scientists, and friends and fans of both," said BMI VP and event co-chair Paul Corbin. "What really makes it magical is the wonderful blend of old friends with new folks who join the Country in the Rockies family each year."

First-time artists and writers at Country in the Rockies X will have plenty of event favorites to show them the ropes. Returning artists include Kathy Mattea, Lari White, Suzy Bogguss, Deborah Allen, Billy Dean, Gary Morris, Gary Chapman, Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Daniels and Jo Dee Messina. Also joining the fun will be BMI Award-winning songwriters Jon Vezner, Chuck Cannon, Doug Crider, Aaron Barker, Dean Dillon, Bob DiPiero, Jeffrey Steele and Leslie Satcher. In addition, Tom Gross will return to provide expert commentary during the celebrity ski races and emcee the event.

Additional artists will be added during the coming weeks.

Country in the Rockies X is being billed as a "10-10-10" celebration, marking 10 years of the Preston Laboratories and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, 10 years of Country in the Rockies, and Vanderbilt-Ingram's ranking among the top 10 places for cancer care in a national survey.

The event has skiing and music at its core, but offers something for everyone. Outdoor activities include snow-skiing, celebrity ski races, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog-sledding and horseback riding. Indoors, participants can take in all-star concerts on the Club Med stage, informal fireside "guitar pulls" till the wee hours, and a celebrity Happy Hour in downtown Crested Butte. Silent and live auctions will feature entertainment, travel and dining packages, artwork, sports memorabilia, instruments and other items.

The all-inclusive package includes lodging at Club Med, lift tickets, meals and hospitality, as well as the flight into the nearby Gunnison, Colo., airport and ground transportation to the hotel. Guests also receive a "goodie bag" with skis or snowboard, ski clothing and CD's and cool mementoes.

The Martell Foundation and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center have been partners in the fight against cancer since 1993, when the Preston Laboratories, supported by the Martell Foundation, and the Cancer Center were first established. Since that time, Martell has provided more than $13 million in important seed funding to "jumpstart" innovative science in the Preston Laboratories; in turn, that investment has been leveraged into more than $100 million in competitive funding from other sources, including the National Cancer Institute.

Proceeds from Country in the Rockies support the Martell Foundation and the Preston Laboratories. The Martell Foundation's support has contributed to VICC's growth and reputation, including its designation as one of only 38 National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Centers and its inclusion among the top 10 places for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" ranking.]]> 2004-01-04T17:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233184 Artists, Allen, Deborah, Austin, Sherrié, Type, Legislation Deborah Allen and Sherri� Austin, who performed at the gala salute to retiring Republican Congressmen Richard Armey (R-TX) and J.C. Watts (R-OK).

Mrs. Armey, Congressman Richard Armey (R-TX) and BMI's Fred Cannon

BMI songwriter/artist Deborah Allen, Congressman J.C. Watts and BMI songwriter/artist Sherrié Austin

Deborah Allen, Congressman Jerry Weller (R-IL) and Sherrié Austin

BMI's Fred Cannon, Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris and Congressman Jerry Weller

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Sherrié Austin

]]> 2002-10-30T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233304 Artists, Allen, Deborah, Braddock, Bobby, Shelton, Blake, Musical Styles, Pop Lauren Braddock celebrated the release of her self-titled debut album with a listening party at the Slow Bar in Nashville (8/23). The 15-song CD, produced by Don Henry, draws on many influences from 60's & 70's pop to alternative to country. Among the many guest artists and musicians featured on the album are country's Blake Shelton, Deborah Allen and Matraca Berg on background vocals, pop-rockers Bill Lloyd and Will Kimbrough on guitar, pedal steel player Dan Dugmore, harmonica guru "Jellyroll" Johnson, the multi-talented John Mock and Lauren's dad, BMI Award-winning writer and producer Bobby Braddock, on keyboards. The CD is now available on www.laurenbraddock.com and www.cdbaby.com.

Looking groovy are producer Don Henry, Bobby Braddock, Lauren Braddock and BMI's Paul Corbin

photo: Alan Mayor

After a reception and tours for the several  hundred guests in attendance, the dedication program  was hosted by BMI award-winning writer Vince  Gill and his wife, Amy Grant. In addition to Chancellor  Gee, speakers included Dr. Harry R. Jacobson, Vanderbilt's  Vice-Chancellor for Health Affairs; Nashville Mayor  Bill Purcell; Dr. Harold Moses, Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram  Cancer Center; and Orrin Ingram, President & CEO of  Ingram Industries and a VICC board member.

Gee noted Preston's generosity and tenacity  in supporting causes in which she believes, particularly  the fight against cancer. "Because of her tireless support  of the T.J.  Martell Foundation, Vanderbilt University Medical  Center, and specifically the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer  Center, this grand building - full of promise and hope  - is named in her honor,"Gee said.

Preston is president of the board  of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer  and AIDS Research and a member of Vanderbilt-Ingram's  Board of Overseers. The Martell Foundation established  the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at Vanderbilt  in 1993, the year the cancer center was formed.  Since then, the foundation has provided more than  $5 million for research aimed at developing new  strategies for treatment and prevention of breast,  prostate, colon, ovarian and lung cancers.

"I am proud to have been part of the Vanderbilt-Ingram  Cancer Center's efforts from the beginning,"Preston  said. "I am even more honored to be associated with  this effort now, in my hometown, as the Vanderbilt-Ingram  Cancer Center and the Preston Laboratories reach for  even greater heights."

Orrin Ingram and Frances Preston

The naming of the building for Preston also honors the Martell Foundation for its support, including a recent commitment of $10 million - augmented by a $6 million anonymous donation - to fund additional innovative research.

Chancellor Gordon Gee, Mayor Bill Purcell, Vince Gill and Amy Grant

"This generous gift is not building a building,"said Dr. Harold L. Moses, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. "It is fueling scientific discoveries that we hope will one day make a difference for those faced with cancer."

T. J. Martell Foundation's Crystal Caviness, Gary and Jennifer Chapman, BMI's Paul Corbin

The eight-story building, known since it opened in 1995 as Medical Research Building II, is home to many of the activities and research of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The 54,000-square-foot expansion includes a two-story lobby and information center through which patients and their families, scientists, doctors, nurses and other staff will enter. It also includes an 8th floor conference center, outfitted with sophisticated audio-visual technology, where Vanderbilt-Ingram will hold meetings of its Board of Overseers; seminars and educational programs for scientists, clinicians and the community; and national and international scientific meetings.

Dr. Harry Jacobson, Martha Ingram, Dr. Hal Moses, Frances Preston, Orrin Ingram, Amy Grant and Vince Gill

The expansion, designed by Earl Swensson Associates, consolidates all the administrative functions in one location, clearing 7,500 square feet in the older portion of the building to be renovated as additional cancer research laboratories. The offices of the Hematology-Oncology Division have moved to the Preston Building, freeing additional space in the Henry-Joyce Cancer Clinic for five new examination rooms, one additional procedure room and two private physician-patient consultation rooms.

Frances Preston shows off her Vanderbilt ID card, a gift from Chancellor Gee

The Preston Building also houses Vanderbilt-Ingram's newly established Biostatistics and Epidemiology divisions, whose work is critical to uncovering the causes of cancers and helping identify targets for preventing disease; the data management of its large clinical trials program; and its efforts in cancer education and outreach.

Frances Preston with Chuck Cannon and BlackHawk's Dave Robbins

Deborah Allen and Stan Moress

The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is the only Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute in Tennessee, and one of only 40 nationwide. This designation, the highest ranking awarded to cancer centers by the world's foremost authority on cancer, recognizes research excellence in cancer causes, development, treatment and prevention, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community education, information and outreach.

Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Frances Preston tour the lab with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Director Dr. Hal Moses

The T.J Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, founded by the music industry, is dedicated to raising funds for innovative research for treatments and cures of cancer, leukemia and AIDS. The foundation sponsors medical research laboratories in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville and has raised more than $160 million in its 26-year history.

Indeed, Anderson's compositions have been recorded by an impressively broad array of acts, including Tim McGraw, Alabama, Wynonna, Deana Carter, Lonestar, Shenandoah, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aaron Tippin, Neal McCoy, Asleep at the Wheel, Etta James, K.T. Oslin, Sara Evans, Charlie Daniels, Tanya Tucker, Chris LeDoux, Deborah Allen, Ty England, Sammy Kershaw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Confederate Railroad, T. Graham Brown, Joe Diffie, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Neal McCoy, Rhonda Vincent, Stacy Dean Campbell, Lari White, Jason Sellers, Robbie Fulks and Olivia Newton-John.

Though he's risen to the level of Nashville royalty in recent years, Anderson was well known to rock fans long before he stormed the country charts. He first made his mark as singer, guitarist and main writer of the Connecticut foursome the Wildweeds, who scored a substantial regional hit in 1967 with his composition "No Good to Cry," and subsequently in a 24-year stint with the beloved cult band NRBQ. Over the course of a dozen or so NRBQ albums, Anderson contributed numerous memorable tunes, and was celebrated equally for his stellar instrumental work; in 1993, Musician magazine named him one of the Top 100 guitar players of the century.
At the end of 1993, Big Al shocked NRBQ's fans by exiting the hard-touring band to concentrate on working behind the scenes as a songwriter. Anderson says the decision to quit had more to do with embracing sobriety than any dissatisfaction with the legendarily eclectic band.

"I'll tell ya, those are very fuzzy years," Anderson laughs. "Playing with NRBQ was a great school, and I can't tell you how much I learned from those guys. It wasn't until I got clean that I realized that 24 years of the Quality Inn and Red Roof and smoky clubs and the same broken chairs in the dressing room was getting old for me. I was in the most free band in rock & roll, but I started to feel limited."

Anderson had actually begun going to Nashville to co-write in the mid-'80s, and Hank Williams Jr. recorded his "You're Gonna Be A Sorry Man" in 1988, but it wasn't until after leaving NRBQ that he began pursuing the life of a professional songwriter in earnest. His transition from road warrior to pro tunesmith began when he and Carlene Carter co-wrote "Every Little Thing," which became the biggest hit of Carter's career. Anderson followed that success with another Carter collaboration, "Something Already Gone," for the Maverick film soundtrack, and hasn't looked back since.

Anderson has also found himself in demand as a session player for the inventive guitar chops he honed during his years on the road, and his distinctively gruff vocals have been tapped for numerous commercial jingles. But it's his writing talents that are his main focus these days.
"I've learned a lot, but I still have no idea what I'm doing," he says. “I'm still a rock & roll guy, and I believe in recognizing the value of dumbness. My motto is 'Make dumb good.' 'All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down' is, like, the dumbest song ever written — the chorus is exactly the same melody as the verses — but it's the greatest record goin'."

Anderson, whose discography includes three solo releases, says that he's hoping to release a new album of his own at some point in the near future, though not under his own name. He's more interesting in making an album with his Nashville-based combo Whitey, which also includes the aforementioned Jeffrey Steele, guitarist Scott Baggett, bassist Glenn Worf, keyboardist Reese Wynans and drummer Chad Cromwell. Though the band has played some local dates and Anderson admits that he misses performing, he's quick to add that he's in no hurry to return to the road.

"I'm not getting on the bus again," he says. "Considering that I'll be 54 in July, (songwriting) is a much nicer way to be making a living in music. I like feeling good every day."