Brad Paisley Paces "Music Row" Awards

Musician Brad Paisley arrives to the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

June 25, 2008 — Brad Paisley had a significant impact yesterday as "Letter To Me" was named Song of the Year and his associate, Frank Rogers, took home Producer of the Year in the 20th annual Music Row Awards, hosted by BMI.

Brad "never ceases to amaze me as to how talented he is," longtime business and songwriting partner Chris DuBois observed. "His songs just get better and better, and [‘Letter To Me’] just might be his best one yet."

It marked the second time one of Brad’s compositions took Song of the Year in the awards, voted on by readers of the Nashville music trade Music Row. "He Didn’t Have To Be," co-written with Kelley Lovelace, took the same trophy in 2000.

Frank first came to prominence as a producer through his work on Brad’s albums but soon added other acts to his stable. In addition to Brad’s 5th Gear CD, he’s recently produced such hits as Trace Adkins’ "You’re Gonna Miss This," Phil Vassar’s "Last Day Of My Life" and Josh Turner’s "Firecracker."

Lady Antebellum was honored as the Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Luke Bryan was hailed as Breakthrough Songwriter.

"Every time I turn on Music Row and realize I get to do this," Luke told the audience, "it’s just a dream. It’s unbelievable to get to do this for a livin’ everyday."

In addition to his own songs "All My Friends Say" and "Country Man," Luke earned his first hit in the last 12 months by writing Billy Currington’s "Good Directions," which Luke performed for the crowd in the BMI lobby.

In addition to those reader-voted trophies, the magazine also honored the Top 10 Album All Stars, the musicians who played a specific instrument on the most Top 10 CDs during the one-year period beginning May 1, 2007. One of those all-stars, Wes Hightower, added quietly to Brad’s stamp on the proceedings. Wes sang in the background on all four of the hits that emanated from 5th Gear: "Ticks," "Online," "Letter To Me" and "I’m Still A Guy."

The Top 10 Album All Stars (and two hits on which they’ve appeared) include:
• Bass: Glenn Worf ("Give It Away," "Gunpowder & Lead")
• Drums: Shannon Forrest (tied) ("Another Try," "Get Drunk And Be Somebody")
• Drums: Chris McHugh (tied) ("I Told You So," "Nothin’ Better To Do")
• Fiddle: Jonathan Yudkin ("Lost In This Moment," "What Hurts The Most")
• Guitar: Tom Bukovac ("Last Name," "Stand")
• Keyboard: Steve Nathan ("I Saw God Today," "Before He Cheats")
• Steel guitar: Paul Franklin ("How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls," "You’re Gonna Miss This")
• Backing vocals: Wes Hightower ("Kristofferson," "It Just Comes Natural")