(L-R): Manager Kerri Edwards, Publisher David Ross, 2008 Breakthrough Songwriter Luke Bryan, Murrah Music’s Roger Murrah and BMI’s Jody Williams.
Bobby Karl Works The 20th Annual Music Row Awards
Chapter 284
Top: Robert K. Oermann with Capitol Nashville chief Mike Dungan accepting the 2008 Breakthrough Artist Award for Lady Antebellum. (Click photo to watch Lady A’s video message...)
Bottom: EMI April Music’s Glenn Middleworth (L) and New Sea Gayle Music’s Chris DuBois (R) accept the Song of the Year honor for writer Brad Paisley’s “Letter To Me.”
(L-R): Music Row Chart Director Jon Freeman with 2008 Music Row Top Ten Album All Stars Wes Hightower, Steve Nathan, Jonathan Yudkin and Music Row News Editor Sarah Skates.
Photos: Alan Mayor
Has it really been 20 years, and is Music Row still the only entity honoring session musicians based on album credits?
The answer to both questions is, “Yes.” The 20th annual Music Row awards fete at BMI (6/24) once again saluted stellar sidemen. Using a system devised years ago by attendee John Lomax III, Shannon Forrest, Tom Bukovac, Paul Franklin, Chris McHugh, Justin Niebank, Glenn Worf and attendees Steve Nathan, Wes Hightower and Jonathan Yudkin were saluted as this year’s Album All-Stars.
Chris DuBois accepted for Brad Paisley (Song of the Year) and Frank Rogers (Producer of the Year). EMI’s Glenn Middleworth joined him on stage for the former honor. Capitol’s Mike Dungan accepted for Lady Antebellum (Breakthrough Artist of the Year), praising the group’s uncomplaining work ethic.
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year winner Luke Bryan cheerfully vanquished a too-tightly-strung guitar, crowd noise and a floppy mic to deliver a lively “Good Directions.” Afterward, he confided that this was his first industry award.
“To be known as a breakthrough songwriter—and to at least have a couple of songs that did really well and literally to be a part of the business on a day in and day out basis it's just a dream come true every day," he said.
BMI’s Jody Williams welcomed the crowd. Describing Music Row as, “the Town Crier of our community,” Jody added, “We wouldn’t be the same without David Ross and Music Row magazine.” I’m not blowing our own horn, but it’s the truth.
David, Luke and Wes all had soundbites on WTVF-Channel 5’s story about the ceremony later that evening on its newscast.
At BMI, we snacked on delish salmon Wellington with dill sauce, steak points on toast with grape tomato and horseradish topping, wrapped asparagus spears and a variety of sweets. As usual, the crowd was totally chatty.
Among the fabulons, we spotted Tony Brown, Dan Ekback, Martha Moore, Drew Alexander, Dale Bobo, Mike Vaden, Cathy Gurley, Tim McFadden, Tom Roland, Jayne Rogovin, Roger Murrah, Sammy Sadler, Chris Farren, Jeff Walker, Leslie Armstrong, Butch Baker, Buddy Cannon, Woody Bomar and Sherod Robertson.
This occasion is also when we put faces to those bylines you read (see photo below)—Sarah Skates, Jon Freeman, Michelle Ross, Christie King, Alan Mayor, Larry Wayne Clark and Phyllis Stark. Not to mention Bobby Karl, hisself.
20th Annual Music Row Awards
Breakthrough Artist: Lady Antebellum
Breakthrough Songwriter: Luke Bryan
Song of the Year: “Letter To Me;” Writer: Brad Paisley; Publishers: New Sea Gayle Music, EMI April Music
Producer of the Year: Frank Rogers
Top Ten Album All Stars: Bass—Glenn Worf; Keyboards—Steve Nathan; Drums—Shannon Forrest & Chris McHugh; Steel—Paul Franklin; Fiddle—Jonathan Yudkin; Vocals—Wes Hightower; Engineer—Justin Niebank; Guitar—Tom Bukovac
(L-R) back: Jon Freeman, Michelle Ross, Christie King and Larry Wayne Clark. Front: Sarah Skates, Robert K. Oermann, Alan Mayor, David M. Ross and Susana Ross.