Burr Is ASCAP Songwriter Of Year

NASHVILLE - Six hits earned for Gary Burr the honor of being named songwriter of the year at the ASCAP awards dinner and presentation here Oct. 3.

He shared the spotlight with Warner/Chappell Music and Sony Cross Keys Publishing as publishers of the year and with Gary B. Baker and Frank Myers, who wrote the country song of the year, "I Swear." In addition, George Strait received ASCAP's Voice of Music Award.

Burr's winning songs were "I Try To Think About Elvis," "Man Of My Word," "More Love," "One Night A Day," "We Don't Have To Do This," and "What's In It For Me."

Other multiple-song winners were Tommy Barnes, Mark Miller, Alan Jackson, Jim McBride, Kerry Kurt Philips, Tony Arata, Porter Howell, Brady Seals, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Don Schlitz, Tim Mensy, Larry Boone, John Jarrard, Gary B. Baker, Frank Myers, Steve Seskin, Gretchen Peters, Trey Bruce, Dwayne O'Brien, Allen Shamblin, and Chris Farren.

Sony Cross Keys received nine citations during the evening, and Warner/Chappell received 10. The two publishers shared honors for the song "Chattahoochee" for the second year in a row.

Other publishers with multiple citations were Alabama Band Music, Almo Music, BMG Songs, Curb Songs, Dixie Stars Music, Edge O'Woods Music, Emdar Music, EMI Music, Famous Music, Farrenuff Music, Full Kell Music, Gary Burr Music, Getarealjob Music, Hayes Street Music, Howlin' Hits Music, Love This Town Music, Major Bob Music, MCA Music, Miss Blyss Music, New Don Songs, Pookie Bear Music, PolyGram International, and Rick Hall Music.

Strait received the Voice of Music Award for his "interpretations of great songs which have touched the hearts and minds of music lovers throughout the world."

The presentation was held in the Tennessee Ballroom of the Opryland Hotel with a "Country Music Paradise" theme and was hosted by ASCAP vice president Connie Bradley.

A total of 75 songs received awards (see separate listing on page 36).

'Wink' Among BMI Winners

NASHVILLE - Vince Gill, Sony Tree Publishing, and the song "Wink" were the top honorees at the 43rd annual BMI Country Awards. Held at BMI's new Music Row offices, the Sept. 30 gala kicked off Nashville's annual Country Music Week festivities. President/CEO Frances Preston and VP Roger Sovine presented citations of achievement to 189 writers and publishers during the event. Gill started CMA week on a positive note, as he took home songwriter of the year honors for the second time. Sony Tree president/CEO Donna Hilley accepted the publisher of the year accolade for the fourth consecutive year, giving Sony Tree an impressive total of 22 wins.

The Robert J. Burton Award for the most-performed country song of the year went to "Wink." Recorded by Neal McCoy, the tune was written by Bob DiPiero and Tom Shapiro.

The songs for which Gill won BMI awards this year were "Tryin' To Get Over You," "What The Cowgirls Do," "When Loves Finds You," and "Whenever You Come Around."

The writers who accepted three BMI honors at this year's gala were Clint Black, Bob DiPiero, Gary Harrison, and Paul Nelson. Those who received two awards included David Ball, Matraca Berg, Don Cook, Ronnie Dunn, Chuck Jones, Toby Keith, Tony Martin, Roger Murrah, Hayden Nicholas, Tom Shapiro, Jeffrey Steele, Doug Stone, and Pete Wasner.

Tree Publishing Co. was recognized for 11 songs, earning Sony Tree publisher of the year award, given to the publishing company with the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award-winning songs. Other publishers to net multiple honors were Acuff-Rose Music, All Over Town/Little Big Town Music, American Made Music, August Wind Music/Patrick Joseph Music, Benefit Music, Blackened Music, Blue Desert Music, Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Diamond Struck Music, Don Cook Music, EMI Music Publishing, Foreshadow Songs, Great Broad/Maria. Belle Music, Hamstein Cumberland Music, Irving Music, Longitude Music Co., Maypop Music, Mike Curb Music, Murrah Music Corp., O-Tex Music, Showbilly Music, Songs of PolyGram International, Terilee Music, That's A Smash Publishing, Tokeco Tunes, Uncle Pete Music, and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. & Associated Cos.

A total of 73 songs received awards (see separate listing on page 36).

Chip Davis Is Pride Of SESAC

The presentation of the prestigious Pride of SESAC Award capped the list of honors at the company's annual National Performance Activity Awards, held Oct. 5 at Nashville's Springhouse Golf Resort.

SESAC managing director/COO Bill Velez handed the Pride of SESAC Award to Mannheim Steamroller's Chip Davis, noting that the award - which is not given on an annual basis - is awarded only when a songwriter or publisher affiliate exceeds standard performance levels. Velez, who also hosted the event, noted that Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas releases traditionally dominate the Christmas charts. Publisher is Dots and Lines Ink.

The awards ceremony, which concluded the activities of Country Music Assn. Week, also saw Frank Dycus named country songwriter of the year for "I'm Gonna Get A Life," as recorded by Mark Chesnutt. Publisher is W.B.M. Music Corps.

Blue Note recording artist Geri Allen was named jazz songwriter of the year. Her successful album "Twenty-One" was named best jazz album at the recent Soul Awards. Publisher is Antoinette Music.

Saxophonist and Windham Hill artist Warren Hill was chosen new adult contemporary songwriter of the year. Publisher is Never Been Warren Music.

SESAC affiliate Hulk Hogan and affiliate songwriters J.J. Maguire and Jimmy Hart were named venue licensing songwriters of the year for writing SESAC-affiliated music used in stadiums and arenas, in conjunction with Hogan's World Wrestling Federation activities. Publisher is Beach Bar Music Inc.

Vince Caputo, Tom Hedden, and Dave Robidoux were selected television performance licensing songwriters of the year. They score NFL highlight shows such as "This Is The NFL," and they won an Emmy for "75 Seasons: A History Of The NFL." Publisher is NFL Music.

Affiliate Jim Brickman was named adult contemporary songwriter of the year. Publisher is the Brickman Arrangement.

"Ni El Primero Ni El Ultimo" was Latina music song of the year. Editoria Esperanza Musical was chosen Latina music publisher of the year.