The ASCAP annual awards were great. ASCAP writer of the year, Ashley Gorley is very deserving of the honor. Ashley is the writer of “Start A Band” and Trace Atkins’s monster “You’re Gonna Miss This.” The Songwriter/Artist award went to Alan Jackson for his hits, “Good Time” and “Country Boy”. More than 1,500 songwriters, industry VIP’s and artists attended the gathering. EMI Music was the Publisher of the Year.

Over the years, ASCAP has made great strides in country music. They consistently woo writers and publishers with statistics about making more money by joining them because they are a not-for-profit corporation. The ASCAP national board of directors has an equal number of publishers and writers. It is very democratic. This is not to say the BMI and SESAC are bad. Each one has their strong points.