BMI Awards Honor Jeffrey Steele, Willie Nelson

11/7/2007 Stephen L. Betts Jeffrey Steele was crowned songwriter of the year and his song, "What Hurts the Most," a No. 1 hit for Rascal Flatts, was named song of the year at Tuesday night's (11/6) BMI Country Awards in Nashville. Steele, who was BMI country songwriter of the year in 2003, garnered his latest songwriter of the year prize for penning "What Hurts the Most" (co-written with Steve Robson) and two other Rascal Flatts hits -- "My Wish" and "Me and My Gang" -- along with Steve Holy's "Brand New Girlfriend" and Keith Anderson's "Every Time I Hear Your Name." Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville was named publisher of the year for the sixth consecutive time, and Willie Nelson was honored with the BMI Icon award during the black-tie dinner at the performing right organization's Music Row offices.