2007 BMI Country Awards: Event Photos

BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeffrey Steele, BMI's VP Writer/Publisher Relations Nashville Jody Williams, BMI's Publisher of the Year Sony/ATV Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier, BMI Icon Willie Nelson, BMI's President & CEO Del Bryant, Troy Tomlinson President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville

Willie makes everybody smile. Pictured on the red carpet are (l to r): BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams; BMI Icon WIllie Nelson; and BMI President and CEO Del Bryant.

Jeffrey Steele’s stirring composition “What Hurts the Most” also earned Song of the Year honors. Pictured are (l to r): BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams; Rock On Promotions' Sarah Wood; BMI President and CEO Del Bryant; and BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeffery Steele.

The Icon tribute performers smile for the camera after a job well done. Pictured are (l to r): BMI President & CEO Del Bryant; Emmylou Harris; Keith Urban; BMI Icon Willie Nelson; Kris Kristofferson; Toby Keith; Josh Turner; and BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams.

Annie Nelson (left), Willie Nelson (center) and Sheryl Crow (right) react to Kris Kristofferson's poignant tribute speech.

Jeffrey Steele earns his second Country Songwriter of the Year crown with five songs among the year’s top fifty. Pictured are (l to r): BMI President and CEO Del Bryant; BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeffrey Steele; and BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams.

Faith Hill (right) drapes her husband Tim McGraw’s (left) very first BMI Country Award medallion around his neck.

BMI Award-winners Taylor Swift (left) and Michelle Branch (right) pause for a photo on the red carpet.

Toby Keith performs with Willie Nelson

Keith Urban salutes Willie Nelson after performing his own soulful rendition of “Always on My Mind.”

Emmylou Harris (left) and Kris Kristofferson (right) perform Rodney Crowell’s “Til I Gain Control Again;” Harris and Willie Nelson often sang the song together when Emmylou opened shows for Willie.

2007 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood poses for photographers on the red carpet.

Willie Nelson attracted a diverse slew of stars. Pictured are (l to r): Sheryl Crow, BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Carrie Underwood.

Legend Kris Kristofferson shares insight into and memories of his longtime friend Willie Nelson.

Martina McBride shows off her first BMI Award medallion. Along with the Warren Brothers, McBride was honored for co-writing the poignant song “Anyway.”

Pictured warming up inside at the cocktail party are (l to r): Big Kenny, Dwight Yoakam and BMI’s David Preston.

Josh Turner performs “Crazy” for BMI Icon Willie Nelson.

BMI Icon Willie Nelson (left) pauses for a photo with BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeffrey Steele (right).

Longtime friends and fellow Highwaymen Willie Nelson (left) and Kris Kristofferson (right) smile for the camera.

Willie Nelson treats the audience to his signature lead guitar on “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.”

Willie Nelson smiles as Kris Kristofferson kicks off the BMI Icon tribute.

Willie strums Trigger at the BMI Country Awards in Nashville.

Big Kenny (right) laughs with Willie Nelson (left) on the red carpet.