Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson Saluted with Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award
The Nashville music community came together to celebrate BMI pioneers Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson with the seventh annual Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, presented during the organization’s gala dinner on Sunday, August 29 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Music City.
Vince Gill hosted the ceremony and Shawn Camp led the ace house band, which backed the evening’s inspired musical homage in front of a packed room of music industry executives, creators, friends and family. The Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, presented annually by the educational non-profit organization of music professionals, was created “to recognize music trailblazers who exemplify the highest quality of leadership and leading by example.”
The careers of veteran record label executive and producer Fred Foster and iconic journeymen Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson intersected at Foster’s archetypal independent label, Monument Records. All trailblazers in distinct, if interconnected, ways, the three helped define—and redefine—the Music Row business model, elevate the Nashville songwriting medium, and push the boundaries of country music, all while maintaining maverick authenticity.
BMI President & CEO Del Bryant kicked off the tribute with comments praising Fred Foster and the musical legacy of Monument Records. Rodney Crowell launched the evening’s music with a toe-tapping performance of “Dream Baby,” capturing the rockabilly swing of Roy Orbison’s original recording on Monument. Charlie McCoy nimbly performed “Today I Started Loving You Again,” and Billy Swan followed, delivering “I Can Help” with undiminished finesse. Surprise guest Dolly Parton then took the stage, performing her breakthrough hit “Dumb Blonde” off her 1967 debut album Hello, I’m Dolly, which Foster produced and released on Monument. Parton then presented the award to Foster.
Reflecting on his long career, Foster smiled as he remembered “wonderful experiences with wonderful people—talent beyond describing. This means more to me than I can say,” he shared. “Thank you so much.”
A video conveying a message from influential Combine Music publisher Bob Beckham served as the fitting introduction to the Kris Kristofferson tribute. Shawn Camp kicked off the musical celebration of Kristofferson with an aching performance of “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” Lyle Lovett followed with sublimely poetic remarks on Kristofferson’s relevance and an effortlessly cool rendition of “Me & Bobby McGee.” Finally, Lee Ann Womack delivered a tender version of “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again).” Longtime associate Tamara Saviano presented the award to Kristofferson.
“I’m kind of speechless,” said the perennially humble Kristofferson. “I’m so honored to be up here with Fred Foster and Willie Nelson. I can’t tell you what it means to me.”
Self-proclaimed lifelong fan Stephen Colbert addressed the audience via video to jump-start the tribute to Willie Nelson. Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer Lee Arnold then took the stage to praise Nelson and introduce Jamey Johnson, who delivered a spellbinding acoustic version of “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” Lorrie Morgan offered a sultry version of “Crazy,” followed by Randy Travis, who performed a stone-cold honky-tonk rendition of “Funny How Time Slips Away.” Longtime friend Brenda Lee presented the award to Nelson.
“Listening to people say all of these nice things, I almost gave myself a standing ovation,” Nelson joked, before concluding the evening with his characteristically poignant simplicity: “Thank y’all.”
Willie Nelson, Shawn Camp and the house band led a rousing finale of “On the Road Again,” during which they were joined by Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Billy Swan, Charlie McCoy, Jamey Johnson and Vince Gill.
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