Twain, Keith, Lynn win BMI awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Oklahoman Toby Keith has been named country songwriter/artist of the year for his hits "American Soldier," "Beer for My Horses" and "I Love This Bar."<br/><br/>Keith, who now has

Tuesday, November 9th 2004, 6:17 am

By: News On 6

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Oklahoman Toby Keith has been named country songwriter/artist of the year for his hits "American Soldier," "Beer for My Horses" and "I Love This Bar."

Keith, who now has 15 awards from the music licensing agency BMI, also was named songwriter/artist of the year in 2001.

Keith is also up for awards in five categories at tonight's Country Music Association Awards.

Shania Twain's "Forever and For Always" won country song of the year.

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.

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" sung by Trace Adkins, "The Love Song" by Jeff Bates, "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems," Kenny Chesney and "Walk a Little Straighter," Billy Currington.