Click here for a photo gallery from Tuesday's 61st annual BMI Country Awards show. Shown here are Hunter Hayes, center, and Troy Verges, right, who won Song of the Year honors for "Wanted" during the awards show in Nashville. (Photo: Steven S. Harman/The Tennessean)
Rodney Clawson, who co-wrote several of the past year’s radio hits, is performing rights organization BMI’s 2013 songwriter of the year.
Clawson, whose recent successes include Blake Shelton’s ‘Drink On It,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk On You,” Tim McGraw’s “One of Those Nights,” Jason Aldean’s “Take a Little Ride,” Montgomery Gentry’s “Where I Come From” and Greg Bates’ “Did It For The Girl,” was honored at Tuesday’s 2013 BMI Country Awards, held at Broadcast Music, Inc.’s Music Row offices.
Clawson, who gave up farming in Texas to come to Nashville at the urging of friend John Rich, moved to Nashville 10 years ago. Since then, he has written 11 No. 1 country songs.
“It’s been cool to see what’s happened with his career,” Aldean said. “He’s written some big songs for us, like ‘Amarillo Sky’ and ‘Johnny Cash.’ I think it makes a song great when someone who is writing it has lived the songs. Rodney writes songs that are believable because he has lived them.”
Hunter Hayes’ “Wanted,” a chart-topping, Grammy-nominated song co-written by Hayes and Troy Verges, won the Song of the Year award.
On the red carpet before the ceremony, Hayes said of the love song that giving a voice to millions of people with those same emotions “is exactly what you dream about for every song you write and nothing you expect for any song you write. I’ve been blown away. You want to be somebody’s soundtrack, every song you write. I never dreamed this song would do that.”
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville won BMI’s Publisher of the Year award for an unequaled 37th time in the show’s 61 years. Sony/ATV published 20 of BMI’s 50 most-performed songs of the year, including Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” Little Big Town’s “Pontoon,” Dierks Bentley’s “Tip It On Back” and Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup.”
Some of the night’s most emotionally compelling moments came during the late-night multi-artist celebration of Dean Dillon, who received a BMI Icon Award. Dillon joins a sterling list of previous winners including Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Bobby Braddock, Bill Anderson and Tom T. Hall.
The Icon prize is given for “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers,” and Dillon’s hits include George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey,” Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot Of Things Different,” Vern Gosdin’s “Is It Raining At Your House” and a remarkable 54 songs recorded by George Strait.
Click here for a photo gallery from Tuesday's 61st annual BMI Country Awards show red carpet. Shown here is BMI Icon Dean Dillon (Photo: Steven S. Harman/The Tennessean)
Forty years ago, Dillon hitchhiked to Nashville from East Tennessee, to pursue his dreams of writing and singing. He’s written more than 90 charted songs since then, including 26 that have been played more than a million times on country radio stations. He’s won a combined total of 31 BMI Country and Pop awards, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
“Listening to the songs he’s written, it motivates all of us to keep writing,” said Miranda Lambert, who grew up in Texas, internalizing Dillon’s music and lyrics. “I’m so happy for him, and so glad he’s being honored.”
Luke Bryan, Lee Ann Womack and Kenny Chesney performed Dillon’s songs at the show, and Strait appeared to perform a few of his Dillon-written smashes, “The Chair,” “Marina Del Ray” and “Here For A Good Time.”
“I got a ride with a hippie, in an old ’66, Chevrolet station wagon, and he dropped me off in Nashville,” Dillon said. “I can’t remember where I slept that first night.
“But I got up the next day, asked somebody where Music Row was, and started beating on doors. I knew I had to pursue what I had in my heart. When I heard about this award, in my head I could see those names — Kristofferson, Tom T. Hall, Bobby Braddock and Willie — and I’m thinking, ‘Take all those names and put ‘Dean Dillon’ with them? It felt weird. But I’ve given my life to country music, and you have to understand, it’s nice to be here.”
Reach Peter Cooper at 615-259-8220 or pcooper@tennessean.com.
2013 BMI COUNTRY AWARDS
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Wanted," Hunter Hayes and Troy Verges; Happy Little Man Publishing; Songs From the Engine Room; Songs of Universal, Inc.
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Rodney Clawson
PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc, Sony/ATV Countryside, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Sony/ATV Tree)
ICON: Dean Dillon
TOP 50 SONGS
"5-1-5-0": Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers; Chestnut Barn Music; Chrysalis Songs; Sony/ATV Tree; Dierks Bentley; Capitol Nashville
"ALONE WITH YOU": JT Harding; JTX Music; Mighty Co Music; Jake Owen; RCA Nashville
"BANJO": Tony Martin, Wendell Mobley; Casa Jaco Music; Sony/ATV Tree; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Rascal Flatts; Big Machine
"BEER MONEY": Blair Daly, Kip Moore, Troy Verges; Against The Wind Publishing; Internal Combustion Music; Kickin' Grids Music; Songs From The Engine Room; Songs of The Corn; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Southside Independent Music Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Kip Moore; MCA Nashville
"BEERS AGO": Toby Keith, Bobby Pinson; Bobby's Lyrics Land and Livestock; Tokeco Tunes; Toby Keith; Show Dog/Universal
"BEGIN AGAIN": Taylor Swift; Sony/ATV Tree; Taylor Swift Music; Taylor Swift; Big Machine
"BETTER THAN I USED TO BE": Bryan Simpson; How 'Bout That Skyline Music; Mr. Noise Music; Writers of Sea Gayle Music; Tim McGraw; Curb Records
"COME WAKE ME UP": Sean McConnell; Little Beluga Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Rascal Flatts; Big Machine
"COWBOYS AND ANGELS": Josh Leo, Dustin Lynch, Tim Nichols; Big Music Machine; Contentment Music; Golden Gears Music; Made For This Music; Sony/ATV Tree
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Dustin Lynch; Broken Bow
"CREEPIN'": Eric Church, Marv Green; Sinnerlina; Sony/ATV Tree; The Good The Bad The Ugly Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Eric Church; EMI Nashville
"CRUISE": Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Joey Moi (SOCAN), Chase Rice, Jesse Rice; Big Loud Mountain; Big Red Toe Music; Dack Janiels Publishing; Deep Fried Dreams; Sony/ATV Countryside; Florida Georgia Line; Big Loud Mountain/Republic
"CRYING ON A SUITCASE": Lee Thomas Miller, Tom Shapiro; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Itchy Baby Music; Little Dooey Music; Writers of Sea Gayle Music; Casey James; Columbia
"DANCIN' AWAY WITH MY HEART": Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, DWHaywood Music; RADIOBULLETSPUBLISHING; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Lady Antebellum; Capitol Nashville
"DID IT FOR THE GIRL": Greg Bates, Rodney Clawson; Amarillo Sky Songs; Bates 'N Hook Music; Big Music Machine; Big Red Toe Music; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Super Effusion; Greg Bates; Republic Nashville
"DRINK ON IT": Rodney Clawson, Jon Randall; Amarillo Sky Songs; Big Red Toe Music; Reynsong Publishing Corporation; Wha Ya Say Music; Blake Shelton; Warner Bros.
"DRUNK ON YOU": Rodney Clawson; Amarillo Sky Songs; Big Red Toe Music; Luke Bryan; Capitol Nashville
"EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART": Will Hoge; BMG Platinum Songs; Will Hoge Music; Eli Young Band; Republic Nashville
"EVERY STORM (RUNS OUT OF RAIN)": Gary Allan; Crystal Beach Music; Gary Allan; MCA Nashville
"FASTEST GIRL IN TOWN": Miranda Lambert; Pink Dog Publishing; Sony/ATV Tree; Miranda Lambert; RCA Nashville
"FOR YOU": Keith Urban; Mary Rose Music; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Keith Urban; Capitol Nashville
"GOOD GIRL": Carrie Underwood; Carrie Okie Music; Carrie Underwood; 19/Arista Nashville
"GOODBYE IN HER EYES": Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Hopkins, Sonia Leigh; Angelika Music; Brighter Shade Publishing; Southern Ground Artists, Inc.; Weimerhound Publishing; Zac Brown Band; Atlantic/Southern Ground
"HARD TO LOVE": Billy Montana, John Ozier; Dandon Ranch Music; Mike Curb Music; Over The Bar Music; Lee Brice; Curb Records
"HOW COUNTRY FEELS": Vicky McGehee, Wendell Mobley; February 4 Music; peermusic III Ltd.; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Randy Houser; Stoney Creek
"KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE": Luke Bryan, Jeff Stevens; Big Motor; Chrysalis Songs; Peanut Mill Songs; Sony/ATV Tree; Luke Bryan; Capitol Nashville
"LOVE'S GONNA MAKE IT ALRIGHT": Al Anderson; Bucked Up Music; International Dog Music; George Strait; MCA Nashville
"LOVIN' YOU IS FUN": Jim Beavers, Bob DiPiero; Love Monkey Music; Sony/ATV Tree; Easton Corbin; Mercury Nashville
"MERRY GO 'ROUND": Kacey Musgraves; 351 Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Kacey Musgraves; Mercury Nashville
"NO HURRY": Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, James Otto; Angelika Music; Eldorotto Music Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Weimerhound Publishing; Zac Brown Band; Atlantic/Southern Ground
"ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS": Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird; Amarillo Sky Songs; Big Red Toe Music; Universal Music-Careers; Tim McGraw; Big Machine
"THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY": Dallas Davidson, Jake Owen, Jimmy Ritchey; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Jimbalaya Music; Shiitake Maki Publishing; Universal Music-Careers; Vibe Room Music; Jake Owen; RCA Nashville
"OURS": Taylor Swift; Sony/ATV Tree; Taylor Swift Music; Taylor Swift; Big Machine
"OVER": Paul Jenkins; David Elliott Johnson; Touch My Music Publishing; Blake Shelton; Warner Bros.
"OVER YOU": Miranda Lambert; Blake Shelton; Pink Dog Publishing; Sony/ATV Tree; Miranda Lambert; RCA Nashville
"PONTOON": Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird; BarryTones; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Universal Music-Careers; Wruckestrike; Little Big Town; Capitol Nashville
"POSTCARD FROM PARIS": Jeff Cohen, Kara DioGuardi, Kimberly Perry, Neil Perry, Reid Perry; As You Wish Music; Bug Music; Famdamily Music; Pearlfeather Publishing; Sunshine Terrace Music; When I Go To The Moon Music; The Band Perry; Republic Nashville
"RED SOLO CUP": Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren; Chestnut Barn Music; Chrysalis One Songs; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Sony/ATV Tree
StyleSonic Music LLC; Toby Keith; Show Dog/Universal
"SOMEBODY'S HEARTBREAK": Andrew Dorff; Hunter Hayes; Luke Laird; Happy Little Man Publishing; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Universal Music-Careers; Hunter Hayes; Atlantic Records
"SOMETHIN' 'BOUT A TRUCK": Dan Couch; Kip Moore; Music of Stage Three; Roll Through Music; Songs From The Couch; Songs of Cornman; Kip Moore; MCA Nashville
"SPRINGSTEEN": Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell; Bug Music; Mammaw's Cornbread Music; ole Purple Cape Songs; Sinnerlina; Sony/ATV Tree; Eric Church; EMI Nashville
"TAKE A LITTLE RIDE": Dylan Altman, Rodney Clawson, Jim McCormick; Amarillo Sky Songs; Big Red Toe Music; Chrysalis Songs; Music of Cal IV; Songs of Jim McCormick; Jason Aldean; Broken Bow
"TIL MY LAST DAY": Justin Moore; Big Music Machine; Double Barrel Ace Music; Justin Moore; Valory
"TIME IS LOVE": Tony Martin, Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro; Casa Jaco Music;
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Little Dooey Music; Little Lola Mae Music; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Sony/ATV Tree; Josh Turner; MCA Nashville
"TIP IT ON BACK": Ross Copperman; Tully Kennedy; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Magic Mustang Music, Inc.; Ross Copperman Songs; Dierks Bentley; Capitol Nashville
"TORNADO": Delta Maid (PRS); Natalie Hemby; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Wruckestrike; Little Big Town; Capitol Nashville
"TWO BLACK CADILLACS": Carrie Underwood; Carrie Okie Music; Carrie Underwood; 19/Arista Nashville
"WANTED": Hunter Hayes, Troy Verges; Happy Little Man Publishing; Songs From The Engine Room; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Hunter Hayes; Atlantic Records
"WHERE I COME FROM": Rodney Clawson, Dallas Davidson; Amarillo Sky Songs; Big Red Toe Music; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; Montgomery Gentry; Average Joe's
"A WOMAN LIKE YOU": Phil Barton (APRA), Johnny Bulford; 3JB Music; Sixteen Stars Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Lee Brice; Curb Records
"YOU DON'T KNOW HER LIKE I DO": Brantley Gilbert; Jim McCormick; Indiana Angel Music; Songs of Jim McCormick; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Brantley Gilbert;
Valory
