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Willie honoured as icon at 2007 BMI Country Awards
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By
The Minx, Music editor
Saturday,
10 November, 2007
Willie Nelson was honoured as a musical icon at the 2007 BMI * Country Awards in Nashville. The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters and artists who have had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”
The tribute brought out the big guns, including Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Dwight Yoakam, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
Jessica Simpson, who was a special guest of Willie's, said, "I love Nashville so much. I feel so at home that I'm making a record from the heart." Jessica has been in town recently working on a country album.
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman arrived just as the entrees were being served, hugging celebs including Michelle Branch as they entered.
Kris Kristofferson and wife Lisa made the trek from Hawaii. "I've been more weary from air travel these days because there's so much security hassles going on," Kris says. "I can remember when they frisked Willie and I both at one place after 9/11. I was sure if they didn't know me, they would at least know him." Was he nervous when they started frisking Willie, who's known for, uh, living a high life? "Nah! What in the world could you be nervous about Willie Nelson? He deserves everything he gets."
What he got Tuesday was a room full of adoration, admiration and love. The 1,200 gala attendees were greeted in the BMI lobby with a Williecopia — a huge photo of Willie surrounded by pumpkins, Indian corn and flowers.
Keeping with the Tao of Willie, Josh Turner didn't even rehearse or soundcheck his version of "Crazy," which he sang to honor its redheaded writer. "It's going to be interesting to see what happens," Josh said. The singer wore a Dolce & Gabbana black jacket, jeans and Ariat boots. "It's the first time I've ever known what I was wearing."
The BMI (Broadcast Music Inc) BMI is a performing rights organization: It collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.
The Naked Reader 2007
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