Taylor Swift, Liz Rose, Billy Sherrill & More Honored At 2010 BMI Country Music Awards

Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ BMI) - Leading U.S. performing right organization Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) saluted the songwriters and publishers behind country music's most-performed songs of the past year last night during the 58th annual BMI Country Awards. The ceremony was held in the company's Music Row offices. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant hosted the gala with Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville.

At 20 years old, Taylor Swift became the youngest person ever to win the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year crown. 'You Belong With Me' also earned Swift her third consecutive BMI Country Song of the Year win, making her the only songwriter ever to win the award three years in a row. Co-written with frequent collaborator Liz Rose, the song is published by Sony/ATV Tree, Taylor Swift Music, Orbison Music LLC, and Wagnerville Music.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville earned its ninth consecutive BMI Country Publisher of the Year title.

Billy Sherrill, the father of the contemporary country sound, was named a BMI Icon. Sherrill has received more BMI Country Awards than any other songwriter in history, and was named BMI Country Songwriter of the 20th Century in 1999. As a BMI Icon, he joins a list of past honorees that includes Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Brian Wilson, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, James Brown, and more.

An all-star tribute paid homage to Sherrill: Ronnie Dunn performed 'The Most Beautiful Girl'; Martina McBride delivered ''Til I Can Make It on My Own'; Faith Hill contributed 'Stand By Your Man'; and George Strait offered 'My Elusive Dreams.'
For BMI Country Music Awards updates, follow https://twitter.com/bmi and www.facebook.com/broadcastmusicinc.
www.bmi.com