NASHIVILLE, Tenn. – Charlie Daniels (search), best know for his fiery fiddle tune, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," won the BMI Icon award (search) Tuesday for his contributions to country music.
BMI's 2005 Country Awards (search) were held at its offices on Music Row and featured performances by Travis Tritt and Montgomery Gentry in tribute to Daniels.
In a career dating to the 1970s, Daniels has had several gold and platinum records that have sold more than 18 million copies. His songs include "Uneasy Rider," "Long Haired Country Boy" and "The South's Gonna Do It Again."
The Tim McGraw hit "Live Like You Were Dying" was named song of the year. BMI's top songwriter honors went to three-time Grammy winner Harley Allen; Big Kenny of Big & Rich; and Richie McDonald, frontman of Lonestar.
Sony/ATV was named publisher of the year, with 15 songs on its awards list.
BMI is one of three U.S. performing-rights organizations that represent songwriters in licensing music, and in collecting and distributing royalties.
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