The year’s top performers were honored Tuesday at the 58th Annual BMI Awards show in Nashville. Taylor Swift, 20, became the youngest recipient of the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and her hit “You Belong With Me” earned the singer her third consecutive BMI Country Song of the Year.
Broadcast Music Inc. takes time each year to salute the songwriters and publishers behind Country Music’s most-performed songs of the past year, according to a press release.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville was named Country Publisher of the Year for the ninth consecutive year.
Billy Sherrill, who has received more BMI Country Awards than any other performer, according to the release, was named a BMI Icon. According to the release, the Icon Award is given to songwriters and artists who have had a “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”
In 1999, Sherrill was named BMI Country Songwriter of the 20th century.
Other Icon Award winners include Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and James Brown.
In tribute of Sherrill’s career in the industry; George Strait performed “My Elusive Dreams”; Faith Hill performed “Stand By Your Man”; Martina McBride performed “Till I Can Make It On My Own”; and Ronnie Dunn performed “The Most Beautiful Girl.”
