Chesney Wins ASCAP Voice of Music Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Kenny Chesney has won the ASCAP Voice of Music Award at the performing-rights organization’s 43rd annual country music awards show.

“First and foremost, I consider myself a songwriter,”

Kenny performed his song “I Go Back” at the annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at the Ryman Auditorium.

“First and foremost, I consider myself a songwriter,” accepting the honor, said the 37 year old Chesney. His new album, “The Road and the Radio,” will be released in November 2005.

Previous recipients of the award, given to songwriters whose music gives people’s lives a voice through song, are Garth Brooks, Amy Grant, George Strait and Diane Warren.

Craig Wiseman of group Rascal Flatts was named ASCAP’s songwriter of the year for singles that include “In a Real Love,” “Live Like You Were Dying,” “Rough and Ready” and “That’s What It’s All About.”

ASCAP named “Live Like You Were Dying,” a Tim McGraw hit on which Wiseman shares writing credit, its song of the year.

Wiseman has written or co-written 90 charted singles and 13 No. 1 country hits throughout his career. This was his second ASCAP songwriter of the year award. ASCAP’s songwriter/artist of the year is John Rich of duo Big & Rich, who co-wrote “Here for the Party,” “Holy Water,” “Redneck Woman,” “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” and “When I Think About Cheatin.”

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is among three U.S. performing-rights organizations that represent songwriters in licensing music and collecting and distributing royalties from play on radio and in television, films, ads and other media.