Stars Glitter at Bradley Family Tribute

Posted by chound on 01/05/2009
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 The Bradley family - Jerry, Connie, Harold and Patsy - with CMA CEO Tammy Genovese and former CMA Executive Director Jo Walker-MeadorBy Bob Doerschuk and Scott Stem"The First Family of Music Row" was lauded on the evening of Aug. 26 for its inestimable contributions to the music industry. An assembly of artists, music industry executives, journalists, civic leaders and distinguished guests filled every seat in the vast Symphony Ballroom at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville to witness the presentation of the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award to the Bradley family: Connie, Harold, Jerry, Patsy and the late Owen Bradley. The award recognizes music industry executives who "exemplify the highest quality of leadership and leading by example." The Bradleys have exhibited extraordinary creative and business leadership for more than seven decades, since Owen and his brother Harold opened the first recording studio on Music Row. Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee hosted the proceedings, which included appreciations by those who knew and worked with the Bradleys. In recalling her association with ASCAP Senior VP and former CMA Board President and Chairman Connie Bradley, for example, CMA CEO Tammy Genovese praised her ability to build bridges between many diverse areas of interest in the music world - a skill that mirrored the mission of those who founded CMA. "Connie, everyone at CMA admires and respects you," she concluded, addressing her longtime friend directly. "I know how much time and effort you've devoted to us, and I have grown personally and professionally from your invaluable guidance and support." Highlights of the evening included musical performances, as Mandy Barnett sang "Crying" to honor Country Music Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley, session guitar giant and President, Nashville Association of Musicians, Local 257; Kellie Pickler performed "Red High Heels" as a playful nod toward Connie Bradley; Lee Ann Womack sang "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man" for Patsy; Ronnie Milsap presented "Almost Like a Song" for famed producer and former CMA Board President Jerry Bradley and sister Patsy, former Assistant VP, BMI; Kenny Chesney performed "Better as a Memory" for Jerry and Connie Bradley; and Gretchen Wilson recalled Country Music Hall of Fame member Owen Bradley with "Crazy," whose version by Patsy Cline he had produced. As she welcomed attendees to the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award banquet, host Brenda Lee took a moment to dedicate the evening to the late Katherine Bradley, who died Aug. 5, in Nashville. Born in Nashville, Katherine Franklin met Owen Bradley when both were in eighth grade. Through 62 years of marriage, ending with his death in 1998, she combined responsibilities of raising their children Jerry and Patsy with supporting her husband's career as a performer, producer and executive as well as organizing parties and social events at their home and houseboat.© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.