Faith Hill drapes her husband Tim McGraw's very first BMI Country Award medallion around his neck at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
BMI Icon Willie Nelson (l) pauses for a photo with BMI Songwriter of the Year (and one of GAC's Hitmen of Music Row) Jeffrey Steele (r) at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood poses for photographers on the red carpet at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Legend Kris Kristofferson shares insight into and memories of his longtime friend Willie Nelson at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Willie strums his guitar, "Trigger," at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards in Nashville. Photo courtesy of BMI.
(l-r) Big & Rich's Big Kenny, Dwight Yoakam and BMI's David Preston warm up inside at the cocktail party just before the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Emmylou Harris and Kris Kristofferson perform Rodney Crowell's "Til I Gain Control Again" at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Emmylou and BMI's 2007 Icon Award recipient Willie Nelson often sang the song together when Emmylou opened shows for Willie. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Keith Urban salutes Willie Nelson after performing his own soulful rendition of Willie's classic, "Always on My Mind," at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Willie Nelson, seated beside Sheryl Crow, smiles as Kris Kristofferson kicks off the BMI Icon tribute at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Josh Turner performs "Crazy" for BMI Icon Willie Nelson at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Big & Rich's Big Kenny (r) laughs with Willie Nelson (l) on the red carpet at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
BMI Award winners Taylor Swift (l) and The Wreckers' Michelle Branch (r) pause for a photo on the red carpet at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Longtime friends and fellow Highwaymen Willie Nelson (l) and Kris Kristofferson (r) smile for the camera at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Martina McBride shows off her first BMI Award medallion. Along with the Warren Brothers, Martina was honored for co-writing the poignant song "Anyway" at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Toby Keith (l) and Willie Nelson (r) perform "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Willie Nelson attracted a diverse slew of stars at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Pictured are (l to r): Sheryl Crow, BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Carrie Underwood. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Willie Nelson treats the audience to his signature lead guitar on "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" at the November 6, 2007 BMI Country Awards. Photo courtesy of BMI.
Emerson Drive performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Emerson Drive performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Emerson Drive performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Emerson Drive performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Sara Evans performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Sara Evans performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Sara Evans performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Phil Vassar performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Phil Vassar performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007 at the Sommet Center Plaza in downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Phil Vassar performs at the Chevy Music Tour on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Sommet Center Plaza in Downtown Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA.
Van Zant performs at the Wildhorse Saloon for What A Trip! winners on Tuesday, Nov. 6 during Nashville Celebrates Country leading up to the CMA Awards. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Van Zant performs at the Wildhorse Saloon for What A Trip! winners on Tuesday, Nov. 6 during Nashville Celebrates Country leading up to the CMA Awards. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Jennifer Hanson performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Jennifer Hanson performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007 at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Jake Owen performs at the Wildhorse Saloon for What A Trip! winners on Tuesday, Nov. 6 during Nashville Celebrates Country leading up to the CMA Awards. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Jake Owen performs at the Wildhorse Saloon for What A Trip! winners on Tuesday, Nov. 6 during Nashville Celebrates Country leading up to the CMA Awards. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Laura Bryna performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Chuck Wicks performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Chuck Wicks performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Crossin Dixon performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Crossin Dixon performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Jypsi performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
Lady Antebellum performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007 at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.
James Otto performs at Music on the Horizon on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007 at City Hall in Nashville during Nashville Celebrates Country. Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA.