BMI Honors Bob DiPiero, Keith Urban, More At 65th Annual Country Awards

BMI held its 2017 Country Awards earliet this week, with Bob DiPiero taking top honors as BMI Icon Award winner, as well as awards for Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year.  Also recognized was Keith Urban, who was was presented with the BMI Champion award for his work supporting the next generation of songwriters.

Ross Copperman was named Songwriter of the Year for the second year in a row. His writing credits include six of the most-performed songs of the past year, including LOCASH’s “I Know Somebody,” Kenny Chesney’s “Noise” and “Setting The World On Fire,” Brett Eldredge’s “Wanna Be That Song,” Keith Urban’s “Break On Me,” A Thousand Horses’ “Smoke” and Luke Bryan’s “Strip It Down.”

The Song of the Year award went to “H.O.L.Y.,” written by busbee and Nate Cyphert. Published by BMG Platinum Songs US, BRRCOFFEE, and Pulse Ventures, the Florida Georgia Line track was the most-performed country song of the year.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville continued their decade-long winning streak and taking home the Publisher of the Year award. Sony/ATV was recognized for publishing 26 of the 50 most-performed songs of the year, Keith Urban’s “Break On Me,” Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here,” Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day,” and many more.

via Celebrity Access