The big news in the country music world this week has been the CMA's, but that wasn't the only big awards ceremony going down in Nashville this week. The Broadcast Music, Inc. Country Awards (or BMI's) -which may not be as popular as the CMAs but are certainly as esteemed- took place on Tuesday evening.
The night's keynote prize, the Icon Award, was given to Dean Dillon, one of country music's most established songwriters. George Strait made headlines Wednesday night by winning Entertainer of Year at the CMA's, but his career might not have become as renowned as it did without help from Dillon, one of his favorite songwriters. Dillon wrote tracks including "Marina del Rey" and "Unwound." The performer was on hand to play a few songs dedicated to Dillon, as did Kenny Chesney and Lee Ann Womack.
"Other than the kids being born I guess it's the highlight of my career," Dean said. "To get something like that, to be recognized that way. It's been a lot of miles, and a lot of songs. For them to even consider me for something like that was pretty humbling."
Other honorees on the night included Hunter Hayes, for Song of The Year. Hayes, who was honored as Best New Artist at last year's CMA's, stepped it up a level to take the prize for "Wanted," a song he cowrote Troy Verges. The track was the performer's first to go to no. 1 on the country airplay charts.
Rodney Clawson, the songwriter behind Tim McGraw's "One of Those Nights" and Luke Bryan's "Drunk On You" among others, was named BMI's Songwriter of The Year for 2013.
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