ASCAP Gives GAC Partner In Music Award

Country superstar Brad Paisley and ASCAP presented the 2008 ASCAP Partner in Music Award to GAC to recognize the network for an exceptional contribution toward the promotion and support of songwriters, musicians and artists serving to expand the reach of country music. ASCAP also noted GAC's integral role in the development of countless country music artists' careers. Pictured l-r: GAC President, Ed Hardy; Brad Paisley; GAC Senior Vice President of Programming, Sarah Trahern; and ASCAP Senior Vice President of Licensing, Vincent Candilora.

Oct. 16, 2008 — Brad Paisley joined ASCAP this week in presenting GAC with the ASCAP Partner In Music Award, celebrating the network’s commitment to programming that supports songwriters, musicians and artists in country music.

The honor — presented at the Ryman Auditorium during the 46th annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Country Music Awards — recognized a number of successful collaborations between GAC and ASCAP, one of three performance-rights organizations in the U.S. Those agencies collect and distribute copyright fees to songwriters and publishers for the music that America hears.

The Partner In Music Award has gone in other years to Billy Bob’s Texas, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, the Bluebird Café and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, among others.

"It is an honor for ASCAP to recognize GAC’s commitment to the country music genre and for our network to join the list of previous dedicated recipients of the award," GAC President Ed Hardy says. "We have a passionate staff that is privileged to work in concert with ASCAP’s organization, and we thank the organization and its members for sharing their music with us."

Among the specials GAC has built in partnership with ASCAP are Big & Rich: Between Raising Hell & Amazing Grace, Kenny Chesney: Lucky Old Sun, Alan Jackson: Precious Memories, Brad Paisley: 5th Gear, Ultimate Keith Urban Fans and Phil Vassar: A Piano Man In A Guitar Town. Collaborations with ASCAP also include the songwriters series The Hitmen Of Music Row and the forthcoming series KingBilly, set to premiere Oct. 24.