Kenny Chesney, Kix Brooks, More Honor Joe Galante

The artists ranging from Alabama to Restless Heart, The Judds Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood KT Oslin, and Ronnie Milsap Vince Gill have careers in country music - largely - thanks to Joe Galante.

Tuesday night many of these artists and said thank you. Galante, then headed Sony Music Nashville RCA 1982-2010, was awarded the Living Legend Bob Kingsley prize in the Grand Ole Opry House. During the night, Galante was treated to a night of stars of the stories and music.



"I'm here tonight to sing some songs, and all were hits by Joe Galante," said Country Music Hall of Fame Milsap. Then sang his hit "What a difference it has made in my life," among others. "He took me places I never dreamed I would go," Milsap said, "and he taught me to be an artist in multiple formats."

The event, a benefit for the Opry Trust Fund, was held at the Opry stage and Galante was sitting at a table with his wife, Phran.

In the preset messages, president and CEO of Warner Music Nashville Galante John Esposito called "The Godfather". President and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Mike Dungan said that for years racing Galante was what kept him motivated.

"His influence in this city and its artists, in the 30 years I've been here, I do not think anyone has come," said Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, who was present to sing for Galante. Brooks credited the last 10-year career with the executive duo. "When it sets the standard in the music business ... he raised the bar for everyone. You have to have Earnhardt out there on the road for all to race against."

Backstage Naomi Judd recalled that when she and her daughter Wynonna Judd went to meet Galante first carrying $ 30 dresses, the car was out of gas and "smoking a big spliff" in the bathroom of the label. They were nervous.

"I remember how kind it was Joe," said Naomi Judd. He remembered how soon Galante shopping mall to buy clothes to wear on the cover of the album. They bought their shoes at Payless and Galante sent them to O'Charley eat, where they put food in their pockets because they were so hungry.

"I will mourn when I see this man because he has been very kind to us," said Naomi Judd. "It has changed our lives forever."

"He protected his artists," Lorrie Morgan. "That's the great thing about Joe. He was one of us. At that time there were artists developing and developed part of who I am. I love him for that."

Robert Deaton Deaton Flanigen Productions predicted Nashville never see another champion like Galante.

"There is only one was Johnny Carson, and only one Joe Galante" he said.