Billy F Gibbons, leader of ZZ Top, will be honored with BMI’s prized Troubadour Award. The private event will take place on September 18 at BMI’s Nashville headquarters. “With a career spanning several decades, Billy has penned an array of timeless hits that have left an inedible mark on the music industry,” says Clay Bradley, BMI’s VP of Creative Nashville. “His ability to craft lyrics that resonate with audiences across generations is testament to his songwriting prowess, and he is the epitome of what the BMI Troubadour Award represents.” The Troubadour Award is granted to songwriters who have left lasting marks on the music world and continue to inspire future generations of musicians. Songs like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” and “La Grange” by Gibbons check all of those requirements and then some. John Hiatt, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen, and Lucinda Williams have all received the Troubadour Award.
During a cocktail event and supper, Gibbons’ award ceremony will include tribute performances and speeches by notable guests. The event will be held on the eve of AmericanaFest and is sponsored by DAOU, George Dickel Bourbon, and WP Global. Since the formation of ZZ Top in 1969, Gibbons has been a vital part of the music landscape. In addition to his outstanding songwriting abilities, he is considered as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His outstanding playing contributed to the distinctive sound of ZZ Top. The group has released 15 studio albums and has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. Keith Richards inducted ZZ Top into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Gibbons has had a successful solo career in addition to his work with ZZ Top. He has multiple studio albums to his credit. His most recent solo project is a 2021 album titled Hardware.
