The mayor of Nashville and three music greats were honored tonight at the Leadership Music Dale Franklin awards.
The
awards were created in 2004 to recognize music leaders who exemplify
the highest quality of leadership - and leading by example.
Amongst
this years honorees, Grammy award winning legend Charlie Daniels.
Daniels says this is one of the best pats on the back he's ever
received, "I've been here 45 years. I came to town with a clutch out a
20 dollar bill in my pocket. God has blessed me unbelievable, well he
can do anything so not unbelievable, I should say he has blessed me
incredibly since I've been here".
 Also honored, Vince Gill.  His wife Amy Grant and his daughter presented him the award.
    
Rodney Crowell, The Time Jumpers and Big Al Anderson were there to
perform some of his hits! Gill says the best part may be that he's being
honored at the same time as a dear friend, "I've known Charlie most my
life, we met in 70's. One reason why I love him is because he was nice
tome as a kid. Anytime someone like that is kind to you makes a lifelong
impression".
     Alabama's Randy Owen was the third musical great honored tonight.
    Little Big Town, David Nail and Wade Hayes performed his songs.
    He also had children from St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis surprise him to end the show.
    Owen has been the leading force of "Country Cares for St Jude Kids" - helping raise over 400 million dollars since 1989.
   
Owen says to him music leadership is much more than singing and writing
songs, "When I get up in the morning I have this saying, I'm looking
for my angel today. That means that somewhere along the day, maybe twice
or three times that day, there will be someone or something I can say
or do to make someone feel good about themselves or brighten their day. I
kinda live by that"
In addition to musicians, Nashville Mayor Karl
Dean received the Brian Williams Ambassador Award - given to an
individual who bridges and strengthens ties between the Nashville music
and business communities.  "I think it's because I appreciate the music
industry. T hey are key to Nashville. They do so much for the city as
far as being an attractive place, bringing creative people here,
economic engine, part of our identity" says Mayor Dean.
    Dale
Franklin - the man in which the honor is named after - was the first
executive director of "leadership music", which is a non profit
organization whose mission is to nurture music industry professionals. Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and Randy Owen Given Leadership Award