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Randy Travis To Receive Prestigious Songwriting Award

Randy Travis will soon be honored with a prestigious songwriting award. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

September 10, 2019

10:13 am

Randy Travis; Photo Courtesy the Artist

Randy Travis will soon be honored with a prestigious songwriting award.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) recently announced that the Country Music Hall of Fame member will receive the ASCAP Founders Award at the upcoming 57th annual ASCAP Awards. The legendary entertainer will receive the honor on Monday, November 11 during the exclusive, invitation-only gala in Nashville. A number of special guest performances, which have yet to be announced, will take place during the gala to honor Travis.

“Randy Travis is the seminal country artist of a generation,” said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. “His meteoric rise to the top of the country charts was fueled by that unmistakable baritone and a talent for traditional country music that spoke to everyone. As a new artist, Randy garnered international attention at a time when such exposure for country artists was reserved for an iconic few. His music and devotion to classic country sounds are a cornerstone in the genre and it is an honor to present him with this year’s Founders Award.”

According to a press release, the Founders Award is one of ASCAP’s highest honors and is “presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators.” Previous recipients include George Strait, Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Neil Young (among others).

Randy Travis has been an ASCAP member for nearly four decades. The longtime Grand Ole Opry member recently announced plans to embark on his first tour since 2013 with the help of fellow country singer James Dupré. Click HERE for additional information on The Music of Randy Travis Tour.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.