Bobby Karl Works The Room—Chapter 233

2006 ASCAP Awards

Adding up the awards, the performances, the celebrity surprises, the food, the dancing, the costumes and the venues, ASCAP threw one fabulous party Monday evening (10/23).

In between honoring Sony-ATV as Publisher of the Year, John Rich as writer/artist of the year (for the second consecutive time), Jimmy Webb as a Voice of Music, Rivers Rutherford and Brett James as top songwriters and “Jesus, Take the Wheel” writers James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson for Song of the Year there was plenty of star gazing to be had.

Glen Campbell popped up to salute Webb. Carrie Underwood joined the “Jesus” cowriters on stage. Jon Bon Jovi , who is in town recording, was there to accept his award for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” LeAnn Rimes posed with her “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way” scribe John Kennedy . Hunk Billy Currington joined Marty Dodson and Patrick Jason Matthews for their “Must Be Doin’ Something Right” award presentation.

And writer-artists Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Crowell, George Ducas, Radney Foster, Gretchen Peters, Kristen Hall, David Lee Murphy and Keith Anderson were all celebrated on the Ryman stage as well. Meanwhile, out in the audience you could find Mark Wills, Lynn Anderson, Carl Jackson, Lane Brody & Eddie Bayers, Bonita Hill, Jim Weatherly, Joey Martin & Rory Lee Feek, Jason Sellers, Tim Ryan, Shawn Camp, Darrell Scott & Suzie Ragsdale, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Blaine Larsen, Blue County, Shannon Lawson and newcomers Kellie Pickler, Sarah Johns and Joanna Cotten.

The gala opened with the best celebrity sighting of all, a rocking, commanding performance of “Easy Money” by the enduringly great John Anderson , with both Rich and Dann Huff in the band on blazing guitars.

Rich spoke at the close of the ceremony about his honor. “I’m a three-time loser in this town,” he began. “I grew up in a trailer park in Texas. Never in a million years did I think I’d be standing in the Ryman Auditorium thanking my peers. I’m in absolute awe of the talent in this room tonight. I don’t necessarily deserve this, but I’ll take it!” He later added that he planned on celebrating all night long.

Underwood said to the Song of the Year writers, “It got me where I am today. I can never thank you enough. Thank-you. Thank-you. Thank-you.” James and Rutherford hugged joyously when their tie for Songwriter of the Year was announced. “I’m flattered and honored and humbled,” said Rutherford. “I’d like to thank my wife, who told me when we moved to Nashville that money didn’t matter as long as we were happy and together.” James said, “I wrote songs every day for nine years before I got invited to this party. The coolest thing about getting to do what we do is....this family.”

During the Ryman portion of the gala, ASCAP’s top five songs of the year were performed by their writers. Rutherford offered a soulful take on “When I Get Where I’m Going” accompanied by his stellar guitar work. The moving performance fittingly followed a salute to the late Brian Williams. On “Jesus,” Lindsey sang impressive lead with James on guitar and harmony vocals and Sampson on piano. Crowell offered “Memories of Us.” Matthews sang lead on “Must Be Doin’” with Dodson providing tenor harmony. Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley ’s duet on “Fast Cars and Freedom” actually surpassed the hit Rascal Flatts version.

Webb’s dazzling keyboard work accompanied his “Highwayman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” Campbell sang a stirring “Wichita Lineman.”

“Thank you to my peers and to my family,” said Webb. “ASCAP has been both to me.” The only five prior Voice of Music winners have been Amy Grant, George Strait, Diane Warren, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks.

The approximately 1,000 guests glided out onto a red carpet leading across the street to the BellSouth building for a post-awards cocktail supper. The level of food was amazing—cucumber-crusted salmon, crabcakes, beef tenderloin, Asian veggies, chilled shrimp, rotini pasta, chicken pot stickers, fruits, cheeses, asparagus spears and much more. Late-night revelers danced to the sounds of the Nashville disco band Delicious on the lobby level while others gazed out on the glittering city from the penthouse party room on the 27th floor. Across the street, you could view the giant word “ASCAP” projected onto the Ryman facade while kleig lights raked the night sky.

Folks were magnificently garbed. Host Connie Bradley wore an elegant green metallic fitted jacket over a matching, flared, floor-length skirt. Rimes was slinky in body-conscious black with her hair pulled back sleekly. Brody was in a fetching black lace shawl and gown. Underwood was in a flowing emerald frock. Pickler chose cleavage-revealing crimson. Bonita Hill’s sparkling black gown and alabaster hair were offset by flame-red lipstick. Feek wore bib overalls under his tux jacket. Trey Bruce was fashionable in a purple shirt beneath a draped black jacket.

Lynn Anderson wore a floor-length ivory evening jacket over a similarly hued sequined gown. Keith Anderson, no relation, sported a sequined head bandana and a jeweled cross hung at the neck. Kerry Kurt Phillips had on a brocade tux jacket. Joe Henry and Mentor Williams were in western wear. Ted Hacker ’s black-on-black appliqued jacket was also cut western. Chris Wallin ’s long dark hair spilled over a stylish, silver-trimmed black western shirt.

Dierks Bentley was head-to-toe in trim, slim ebony—shirt, jacket, slacks, boots. Lisa Harless chose a vivid sparkling green sleeveless ensemble. Michelle Berlin wore a classic white floor-length draped gown with criss-cross straps accented with sparkles. Mike Kraski ’s shawl-collared tux jacket was augmented by a long maroon cravatt. Chesney wore an open-necked black shirt, tan draped slacks and a black cowboy hat.

Gala fabulons included such lovelies as Susan Stewart, Debbie Carroll, Carla Wallace, Jo Walker-Meador, Tammy Genovese, Erika Wallom-Nichols, Amy Kurland, Hazel Smith, Renee Bell, Karen Clark, Michelle Goble, Tracy Gershon, Peggy Whittaker, Nancy Shapiro, Kitty Moon Emery, Allison Jones, Barbara Orbison, Evelyn Shriver, Bonnie Baker, Karen Sherry and Lori Badgett.

The black-tux parade featured Mayor Bill Purcell, Bill Bennett, Bill Denny, Troy Tomlinson, Tony Conway, Drew Alexander, John Grady, Tim Wipperman, Nelson Larkin, Darrell Brown, Mark D. Sanders, Butch Waugh, Dwight Wiles, Ed Salamon, Steve Moore, Vincent Candilora, Kerry O’Neil, Craig Wiseman, Neil Portnow, Scott Hendricks, Tom Baldrica, Pat Higdon, Woody Bomar, David Corlew, Bud Wendell, Buddy Cannon, Don Schlitz, Don Pfrimmer, Bob Mather, Bob Reagan and Bob Doyle. Actually, there were a scattered few not in formal wear.

As usual, Connie Bradley presided with quips and glitz. She sure knows how to throw a fiesta. ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento joined her for some presentations. John Briggs and Suzanne Lee assisted. Danny Petraitis produced for the Gary Musick Company.