The 64th annual BMI awards—where country stars get decked out and awards are doled out—were held last night (Nov. 2) at the BMI offices in Nashville.The event honors songwriters and publishers of the most-performed country songs of the past year.
It was a big night for Kenny Chesney, who was honored with the BMI President’s Award, which is presented to songwriters who have distinctly and profoundly influenced the entertainment industry. Kenny joined an elite group of past recipients, including Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson and P!nk.
Friends Keith Urban, Eric Church and Dean Dillon paid tribute to the award winner by performing some of Kenny’s hits, including “I Go Back,” “Anything But Mine” and “The Tin Man,” respectively.
Ross Copperman, writer of such songs as Brett Eldredge’s “Lose My Mind” and Luke Bryan’s “Strip it Down,” took home Songwriter of the Year, and “Die a Happy Man,” written by Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas and Joe London, won Song of the Year.
The stars came out in full force for the awards show and were dressed to impress as they strolled the red carpet for the big night.
PHOTOS BY CURTIS HILBUN/AFF-USA.COM and TAMMIE ARROYO/AFF-USA.COM