On Tuesday night (Nov. 19), performing rights organization BMI celebrated the songwriters and publishers behind 50 of the previous year’s most-performed country songs during its annual BMI Country Awards, held at BMI Nashville’s offices.
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Among the songs honored were Jelly Roll’s “Need a Favor,” Cody Johnson’s “The Painter,” Kane Brown’s “Bury Me in Georgia,” Luke Combs’s “Where the Wild Things Are” and more. Leading the festivities were BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill, BMI Nashville’s VP, Creative, Clay Bradley, and BMI Nashville’s executive director of creative Shannon Sanders.
The evening launched with Ella Langley, Lukas Nelson and Aaron Raitiere teaming for a rendition of “With a Little Help From My Friends.”
Zach Bryan and Chase McGill tied as honorees for the BMI songwriter of the year honor, with each songwriter co-writing six of BMI’s most-performed songs in country music. Bryan’s credits were “Burn, Burn, Burn,” “Dawns,” “Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and “Sun to Me,” while McGill co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s “Ain’t That Some,” Luke Bryan’s “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me a Girl,” Jordan Davis’s “Next Thing You Know,” and Thomas Rhett’s “Mamaw’s House.” Bryan was not in attendance, but McGill took the stage to thank his family and those who have been a part of his journey.
He also thanked his longtime music publisher, Universal Music Publishing Group, and recalled telling UMPG executive Terry Wakefield about his career aims. “Terry came to my house the day we started working together and he asked me, ‘What are your goals as a songwriter?’ I said, ‘I don’t have goals–I have a goal: I want to be BMI writer of the year.’ So Terry laid out a plan and here we are. So thank you.”
Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” was named the 2024 BMI country song of the year, and was published by Big Loud Mountain, John Byron Music, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. “Last Night” led the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 16 nonconsecutive weeks.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp was named publisher of the year, publishing 34 of the 50 most-performed songs of the year, including Parker McCollum’s “Burn It Down,” Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country,” Riley Green’s “Different ‘Round Here,” Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison” and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Religiously.”
Alabama frontman Randy Owen was honored with the BMI Icon award, joining an elite group of fellow recipients that have included Toby Keith, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Bill Anderson, Dean Dillon and Kris Kristofferson. Owen is not only the lead singer for three-time CMA vocal group of the year winners Alabama, but his songwriting prowess is evidenced by some of the group’s enduring hit songs including “Christmas in Dixie,” “Tennessee River,” “Feels So Right,” and “My Home’s in Alabama.” Along the way, Owen has won 25 BMI Million-Air Awards and in 2000, he was honored with the BMI president’s award.
“One thing I learned early on, when I signed to BMI under [former BMI Nashville president/CEO] Frances Preston,” Owen told Billboard on the red carpet. “Honestly, I had no idea that you could make money writing songs. I just wrote songs that I enjoyed writing, songs that I felt like I had to write.”
Dolly Parton and Kenny Chesney offered tributes to Owen via video, while Riley Green honored Owen by performing “My Home’s in Alabama.” Luke Bryan offered a superb vocal rendering on the soulful and sultry “Feels So Right.” The evening recognized not only Owen’s work as a songwriter, but his dedication to giving back to others, most notably through his work in launching the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids program, which recently reached its milestone 35th anniversary and celebrated raising $1 billion for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 1989.
One of the highlights of the evening came when Blake Shelton performed a rendition of Alabama’s 1982 hit “Mountain Music.”
“Congratulations, you deserve this,” Shelton told Owen.
Shelton welcomed Bryan back to the stage to join him, backed by guitar and searing fiddle. The crowd of songwriters, publishers and other industry members, all garbed in suits and elegant dresses, immediately rose to their feet, clapping and singing along to Owen’s lyrics of flowing rivers, rustic Cajun hideaways and playing baseball with chert rocks. As artists performed their tributes, Owen could often be seen wiping away tears as he watched from the audience.
Owen and his wife Kelly took the stage, with Kelly offering insights into Owen’s songwriting and praising how his songs have impacted not only their family, but so many music fans. Owen himself then thanked those who have been essential to the group’s success, including producer Harold Shedd, who was in attendance. “You may be 115 years old, but you’re still a stud to me,” Owen told Shedd with a chuckle.
Owen honored his late Alabama bandmate Jeff Cook, calling Cook “a musical genius.” He also welcomed his Alabama bandmate Teddy Gentry to the stage alongside him, thanking him for their friendship, and praising Gentry’s work in crafting the group’s harmonies.
“Teddy, I love you and I appreciate you being here tonight. It means the world to me and my family. I appreciate you, and we’re still rockin’,” Owen said, ending by thanking the musicians who played on all of Alabama’s records.
“Thank you for this night. It’s a highlight.”
