Shania Twain’s “Forever and For Always” won country song of the year honors Monday from the music licensing agency BMI.
The song, co-written by Twain and her husband, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, was the most performed country song of the year, based on U.S. broadcasts.
It was Twain’s fourth BMI song of the year win. “Forever and For Always” was also named song of the year at the 2004 BMI London awards, and her hit “You’re Still the One” received the honor at both the 1999 BMI pop and country awards.
Twain, 39, also was named BMI songwriter of the year at both the 1999 and 2000 pop and country awards and now has 28 BMI awards.
In other awards, Toby Keith collected country songwriter/artist of the year honors for his hits “American Soldier,” “Beer for My Horses” and “I Love This Bar.”
Keith, who now has 15 BMI awards, also was named songwriter/artist of the year in 2001.
Casey Beathard earned country songwriter of the year. Five of his songs were on the most performed list: “Drinkin’ Bone” (recorded by Tracy Byrd), “Hot Mamma” (Trace Adkins), “The Love Song” (Jeff Bates), “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” (Kenny Chesney) and “Walk a Little Straighter” (Billy Currington).
Loretta Lynn was named BMI Icon for “her enduring influence on generations of music makers.”
Lynn’s many hits include “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin,”’ “Coal Miners Daughter” and “The Pill.”
BMI, which represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, each year recognizes country music songwriters and publishers of the year’s most-performed songs.