DECEMBER 2013, JANUARY, FEBRUARY 2014 VOL. 31 NO. 4 George Strait Reclaims Top Prize at CMA Awards Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves also Win Big By Adam Gold, Rolling Stone and Miranda Lambert, who walked away Year; and bro-country breakout hick-hop Nashville, TN….In an upset victory few with Male Vocalist of the Year and Female duo Florida Georgia Line, who landed tro- in the country world saw coming, “King” Vocalist of the Year, respectively; harmoni- phies for Vocal Duo of the Year and Single George Strait reclaimed his throne at the cally adept pop-country quartet Little Big of the Year for their summertime smash 47th annual CMA Awards, taking home the Town, who took home Vocal Group of the “Cruise.” top prize for Entertainer of the Year and beating out fresher-faced nominees Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift. It was Strait’s third time tak- ing home the title, but his first since 1990. “Never in a million years,” Strait said at the podium. “This just blows me away.” Strait, 61, has nearly that many country Number One hits. He recently signed a five-album deal, despite being in the midst of a lengthy farewell tour. His 40th studio album, Love Is Everything, came out in May. “I can’t imagine ever not being in this business,” he told reporters backstage. Though the singer’s triumph evoked coun- try’s traditionalist past, few of last night’s winners walked to the podium at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena sporting rhinestones, boots or cowboy hats. Rather, the ceremony – hosted for the sixth consecutive year by comedic country duo Brad Paisley and Car- rie Underwood – showcased the growing breadth of the genre, in addition to boasting appearances from mainstream music figures like Dave Grohl, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jason Mraz. Among the range of winners last night were returning champions Blake Shelton - 1 - STRAIT TALK George Strait Presented with ASCAP Founders Award NASHVILLE, TN, November 4, 2013 Jackson, who performed “Let’s Fall to Pieces The 51st Annual ASCAP Country Music Together,” and Lee Ann Womack, who Awards were held on Monday, November 4th treated the audience to a gorgeous rendition of in the Grand Ballroom at Nashville’s newly “Troubadour.” opened Music City Center. The writers of ASCAP Nashville Membership co-heads country music’s most performed songs of Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan pre- the period between April 2012 and March sented Josh Kear with the ASCAP Country 2013 were honored before an audience of Music Songwriter of the Year award. Kear Nashville’s most distinguished songwriters, was responsible for penning five of the most top country stars and music industry leaders. performed songs of the past year, including Special tribute was paid to George Strait, one of the two Song of the Year, “Drunk On who was presented with the ASCAP Founders You” (Luke Bryan), as well as “(Kissed You) Award in a segment that included a musical Good Night” (Gloriana), “Two Black Cadil- homage to the “King” of country from Garth lacs” and “Blown Away” (Carrie Underwood), Brooks, Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Wom- and “Dancin’ Away with My Heart” (Lady ack, and included a special message from Antebellum). President George W. Bush. Kear earned ASCAP Song of the Year honors The evening’s top honors were awarded to alongside co-writer Chris Tompkins for the following: “Drunk On You,” (Luke Bryan) published by • ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Big Yellow Dog Music and Big Loud Shirt. Year: Josh Kear Also winning ASCAP Song of the Year honors • ASCAP Country Music Song of the Year: were Neil Thrasher and publisher peermusic “Drunk On You,” written by Josh Kear and for “How Country Feels,” recorded by Randy Chris Tompkins; publihed by Angel River Houser, who was on hand to perform the song Songs, Lunalight Music, Big Loud Shirt and with Thrasher and co-writer Wendell Mobley. Big Yellow Dog Music Kear and Gloriana’s Tom Gossin, with record- The awards were presented by Williams along • ASCAP Country Music Song of the ing artists Gloriana. The show kicked off with Martin and Phelan. Year: “How Country Feels,” written by Neil with ASCAP songwriter-artist Brandy Clark, This year’s ASCAP Country Music Pub- Thrasher; published by peermusic and Team who performed the song “Get High” from her lisher of the Year honors went to Warner/ Thrasher critically-acclaimed new album, 12 Stories. Chappell Music Publishing, who had six • ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board award-winning songs: “Why Ya Wanna,” Year: Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Paul Williams and newly appointed ASCAP “Good Girl,” “Better Than I Used to Be,” “The A total of 34 song honors were handed out, EVP of Membership John Titta presented the Only Way I know,” “Come Wake Me Up” and interspersed with special performances by the ASCAP Founders Award to George Strait, “Fly Over States.” Phelan and Martin present- writers of the top five most performed songs whose revitalization of classic country music ed the award to Warner/Chappell, accepted by of the year. Performances included “Drunk defined a generation and continues to inspire Ben Vaughn and the Nashville team. On You,” by songwriters Josh Kear and songwriters today. “‘King’ George is a genuine Additional artists in attendance included An- Chris Tompkins (recorded by Luke Bryan); musical pioneer and a living legend whose galeena Presley, Brothers Osborne, Cassadee “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” performed influence on country music is immeasurable. Pope, Dan + Shay, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, by songwriter Eric Paslay (recorded by Eli We are honored to recognize his incredible Deana Carter, Jennifer Nettles, Jewel, Glori- Young Band); “How Country Feels,” by career with the ASCAP Founders Award,” ana, Greg Bates, Lady Antebellum’s Charles songwriter Neil Thrasher with Wendell said Williams. Past recipients of the ASCAP Kelley and Dave Haywood, Leah Turner, Mobley and Randy Houser (recorded by Founders Award include Garth Brooks, Alan Love and Theft, Luke Bryan, RaeLynn, Rascal Randy Houser); “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” Jackson and more. Flatts’ Jon Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus, performed by songwriter Shane McAnally A special musical tribute to Strait included Sam Hunt and more, as well as ASCAP Chris- (recorded by Jake Owen); and “(Kissed You) performances by Garth Brooks, who honored tian Music Songwriter of the Year Ben Glover. Good Night” performed by songwriters Josh him with a medley of Strait’s classic hits; Alan - 2 - STRAIT TALK George Straits Vaqueros Del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament & Auction Raises Record Funds for Military Servicemen & Women Third annual fundraiser at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort & Spa brings in more than $425,000 for Feherty’s Troops First Foundation BOERNE, TX for $130,000 alone. Rick Kell, co-founder of For more information on Feherty’s Country music superstar George Strait Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, presented Troops First Foundation, please visit www. and Texas businessman Tom troopsfirstfoundation.org. Cusick hosted the third annual Vaqueros del Mar Invitational About Tapatio Springs Hill Golf Tournament and Auction Country Resort & Spa: at Tapatio Springs Hill Coun- The word Tapatio (top-ah- try Resort & Spa in Boerne, tee-oh) is Spanish, translated it Texas on Saturday, November means “dancing” thus “danc- 2 and Sunday, November 3. ing springs.” Tapatio Springs Strait and Cusick, who are Hill Country Resort & Spa joint owners of the resort and is nestled in an expansive, spa, first created the fundraiser breath-taking hidden valley of in November 2011 to support the Texas Hill Country, and is wounded U.S. servicemen nothing short of a wilderness and women. This year’s event wonder. Located just 38 miles benefited Feherty’s Troops First from the historic Alamo in Foundation, an organization that San Antonio, Tapatio Springs provides meaningful assistance Hill Country Resort & Spa is to military members who have framed with scenic rocky cliffs, been wounded serving in Iraq or dotted with lakes, and clear Afghanistan. streams are home to one of the The weekend-long event was filled with Strait and Cusick each with an American largest Axis deer populations in the country. non-stop excitement, kicking off with a rop- flag that was used during operations Endur- The peaceful, serene landscape is forested ing competition at Cusick’s exclusive Texas ing Freedom and Proper Exit in Afghanistan. with an unusual natural assortment of trees, hill country community Estancia at Thunder The weekend came to a close with Strait, including walnut, maple, Spanish oak, elm, Valley, just minutes from the resort. Strait ever the consummate entertainer, leading sycamore, pecan, redbud and many oth- participated in the roping event, and Norma a lively jam session that included special ers. It has been said, “Perhaps no other golf Strait and Silvia Cusick made a grand guests Asleep At The Wheel, Ray Benson, course in America will blend so perfectly entrance by riding into the rodeo arena on a Dean Dillon, Keith Gattis, Jamey Johnson, with Mother Nature’s design.” The all-new pair of Texas Longhorn bulls. Jewel, Kyle Park and Randy Rogers. Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort & Spa More than 450 invited guests also partici- To view highlights from the Vaqueros features a completely revitalized PGA pro- pated in a high-energy live auction, which del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament and fessionally designed 18-hole Billy Johnston raised an impressive $425,000 within a half- Auction, go to: http://www.youtube.com/ course, second to none for its playability. It hour. At one point, Strait even sweetened watch?v=opp2TxXDeUo. truly tests the skills of the most advanced the pot by removing his boots and offering For more information on George Strait, player, and is an exciting treat to experience them as part of a package deal, which sold please visit www.georgestrait.com.