Dierks Bentley, Lady A Among ASCAP Award Winners

Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum are among the big winners at the 48th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. CMT.com notes that Bentley earned the title of Songwriter-Artist of the year, while Lady A's massive hit "Need You Now" is the Song of the Year. Jessi Alexander was also recognized at the event, receiving ASCAP's inaugural Global Impact Award for penning the Miley Cyrus hit "The Climb." The festivities also included a salute to Alan Jackson who is the latest Founders Award recipient, which honors career achievements. The ceremony also made note of ASCAP's most performed songs of the past year. More than 40 tracks were acknowledged, including Billy Currington's "That's How Country Boys Roll," Rascal Flatts' "Summer Nights," Brad Paisley's "Then," and Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home." Bentley had a hand in writing two of them -- his hits "Sideways" and "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes." A number of stars were on hand to sing their most performed songs, including Darius Rucker who turned in a rendition of "Alright" and Chris Young who treated attendees to "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)." Bentley, Young, and Steve Earle -- who traveled to Nashville especially for the occasion -- were among those who took part in a tribute to Jackson. The 48th annual ASCAP Country Awards were presented at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville Tuesday night.