Rocker will receive 2023 Troubadour Award
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) will present ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons with its coveted Troubadour Award during a private reception at BMI’s Nashville office on Monday, September 18th. The prestigious accolade recognizes a songwriter who has made a profound impact on the creative community as their craft continues to set the pace for generations to follow. As the chief songwriter for ZZ Top, Gibbons’ credits include iconic hits such as “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” “Cheap Sunglasses” and “La Grange,” the lead single from the band’s Tres Hombres album that catapulted the trio into mainstream success 50 years ago.
“With a career spanning several decades, Billy has penned an array of timeless hits that have left an inedible mark on the music industry,” BMI’s VP of Creative Nashville, Clay Bradley shares. “His ability to craft lyrics that resonate with audiences across generations is a testament to his songwriting prowess and he is the epitome of what the BMI Troubadour Award represents.”
The night will include unforgettable tribute performances and commemorative speeches by special guests during cocktail reception and dinner. Gibbons joins the ranks of past Troubadour Award recipients including John Hiatt, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams. Falling on the eve of Americana Fest, the night serves as a homecoming for BMI’s Americana family of artists and is sponsored by George Dickel Bourbon and WP Global.
Gibbons has been an essential part of the American musical landscape since ZZ Top’s formation in 1969. Regarded as one of the world’s finest guitarist players, ZZ Top’s signature sound can be credited to Gibbons’ distinct style that has resonated throughout all genres. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band has released 15 studio albums while selling more than 50 million records worldwide.
ZZ Top is currently on its first-ever co-headlining tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour runs through the fall with Uncle Kracker supporting all dates.
