ASCAP To Honor Reba McEntire At 46th Annual Country Music Awards Celebration

NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ ASCAP) - One of Country Music's most beloved and successful stars, Reba McEntire, will be honored with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award during the 46th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards ceremony, set for October 13th in Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium. The invitation-only gala will also salute the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed country songs of the past year. A party honoring the night's winners will follow the awards ceremony.

The ASCAP Golden Note Award is presented to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Previous recipients of this special recognition include Garth Brooks, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Lionel Richie, Tom Petty, Andre Previn, Michael W. Smith, Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones, among others.

Commenting on the award to McEntire, ASCAP President & Chairman Marilyn Bergman said, "Reba is one of Country Music's greatest artists, and as an actress, a strong and assertive vocalist who understands and beautifully conveys the emotional shadings of the lyrics she sings. She has applied her talent to performing on the Broadway stage and as the star of a hit television series she has received critical and public acclaim. At the same time, she remains true to Country Music, adored by millions of fans more than three decades after her first chart hit. We are delighted to honor Reba with the ASCAP Golden Note Award, which she so richly deserves."

Oklahoma-born McEntire was discovered singing on the rodeo circuit in the mid-1970s. Encouraged to go to Nashville, she found early and continued chart success beginning in 1976. She has enjoyed sales of more than 55 million records worldwide over the course of her career, including 31 Number One hits. Among the many songs she has helped turn into Country Music standards are: "I'm Not That Lonely Yet," "The Greatest Man I Never Knew," "For My Broken Heart" and the self-penned "Only in My Mind."

The gala event will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed country songs of the past year. Special awards will be given to "Songwriter of the Year," "Songwriter/Artist of the Year," "Song of the Year" and "Publisher of the Year."