October 21, 2002

50th Annual BMI Country Awards

Press Release

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Nashville—Performing rights organization BMI will salute the past year’s most popular Country songs on Tuesday, November 5 at the BMI Country Awards, the oldest awards program honoring country music creators. Staged at the company’s Music Row offices, the black-tie, invitation-only event spotlights the 50 most performed songs of last year.  BMI President & CEO Frances Preston and BMI Nashville Vice President Paul Corbin will present Citations of Achievement to the writers and publishers of the top 50 songs.  The evening will culminate in the announcement of Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, and Most Performed Country Song of the Year (the Robert J. Burton Award).
Among the distinguished talents who previously have been crowned BMI Country Songwriter of the Year are Harlan Howard, Don Gibson, Bill Anderson, Roger Miller, John D. Loudermilk, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Dennis Morgan, Paul Overstreet, Vince Gill, Shania Twain, Tom Shapiro, Dixie Chick Martie Maguire, Ronnie Dunn, Bobby Braddock and eight-time victor Billy Sherrill.  Last year’s top winners were Songwriter/Artist of the Year Toby Keith, Songwriters Marv Green and Aimee Mayo, and Tia Sillers, writer of Song of the Year “I Hope You Dance.”
BMI represents approximately 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all areas of music. It collects license fees on behalf of American creators, as well as for thousands of creators from around the world who haven chosen BMI for American representation. The fees for the public performances of its repertoire are then distributed as royalties to the writers and copyright holders BMI represents.  These performances include radio airplay, broadcast and cable television carriage and live and recorded performances by other music customers, including but not limited to the Internet, cell phone ring tones, restaurants and clubs, retail outlets, and music-on-hold.
Beginning at 10 pm CT/11 pm ET November 5, a complete list of 2002 BMI Country Award winners will be available at bmi.com.  High-resolution photos will also be available for downloading at press.bmi.com/country02 .
For a brief history of country music’s oldest awards presentation, visit press.bmi.com/country02 .
To secure a password to view other events on the BMI press site, contact Pat Baird:  212/830-2528 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Calendar note:  Tuesday, November 5 is also Election Day.  Vote early.

Contact:
Caroline Davis
615/401-2728
cdavis@bmi