Recent Award Winners

Charlie Lamb Awards

The Charlie Lamb Awards for Excellence in Country Music Journalism are awarded to two distinguished individuals each year. One award recognizes a noteworthy career while the other recognizes a special feature, series, or emerging body of work as the Contemporary category. Pictured left to right: Belmont Book Honoree Barry Mazor, James Akenson, Buzz Cason, Peggy Walker, Contemporary Charlie Lamb Honoree Derek Halsey, Charlie Lamb, Career Lamb Honoree Walt Trott, Dickey Lee, Gary Walker, Merle Russell, and Don Cusic.

Belmont Book Award

The Belmont Book Award, given for the Best Book on country music, is presented at the annual International Country Music Conference at Belmont University. Don Cusic presents the 2010 Belmont Book Award to Barry Mazor (left) for his book "Meeting Jimmie Rodgers."

Past Award Winners

2009

Charlie Lamb Awards

The Charlie Lamb Awards for Excellence in Country Music Journalism are awarded to two distinguished individuals each year. One award recognizes a noteworthy career while the other recognizes a special feature, series, or emerging body of work as the Contemporary category. Pictured left to right: James Akenson, ICMC; Barry Mazor, Charlie Lamb Journalism Award winner; Pat Huber, Belmont Book Award winner; Shelby Singleton; Fred Foster; Charlie Lamb; Alanna Nash, Charlie Lamb Journalism Award winner; Peggy and Gary Walker, endowers of the Charlie Lamb Awards; and Don Cusic, Belmont Univeristy.

Belmont Book Award

The Belmont Book Award, given for the Best Book on country music, is presented at the annual International Country Music Conference at Belmont University. Don Cusic presents the 2009 Belmont Book Award to Patrick Huber (right) for his book "Linthead Stomp."

Lifetime Achievement Award

The University of Illinois Press received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for their series "Music in American Life." Pictured left to right: Judith McCullough, former editor at the University of Illinois Press; Don Cusic, Belmont University; and Laurie Matheson, current editor at the University of Illinois Press.

2008

ICMC 2008 Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism - L to R: Gary Walker, Ralph Emery, Barry McCloud Career Honoree, Jo Wallker-Meador, Charlie Lamb, Beverly Keel Contemporary Honoree, Harold Bradley, and Peggy Walker.

Charlie Lamb Awards

The Charlie Lamb Awards for Excellence in Country Music Journalism are awarded to two distinguished individuals each year. One award recognizes a noteworthy career while the other recognizes a special feature, series, or emerging body of work as the Contemporary category. Pictured are (L to R): Gary Walker, Ralph Emery, 2008 Career Honoree Barry McCloud, Jo Walker-Meador, Charlie Lamb, 2008 Contemporary Honoree Beverly Keel, Harold Bradley, and Peggy Walker.

2008 Belmont Book Award winner Holly George-Warren with Harold Bradley, Ralph Emery, Jo Walker-Meador, and Don Cusic

Belmont Book Award

The Belmont Book Award, given for the Best Book on country music, is presented at the annual International Country Music Conference at Belmont University. Pictured are (L to R): Harold Bradley, Ralph Emery, Jo Walker-Meador, 2008 Honoree Holly George-Warren, and Don Cusic.

2008 Belmont Award for Books and Country Music - L to R: James Akenson, Ralph Emery, Jo Walker-Meador, Jay Orr Representing Honoree The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Harold Bradley, and Don Cusic

Belmont Award for Books and Country Music

2008 Belmont Award for Books and Country Music. Pictured are (L to R): James Akenson, Ralph Emery, Jo Walker-Meador, Jay Orr Representing Honoree The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Harold Bradley, and Don Cusic.

2007

2007 Belmont Book Award winners F. Lynn Bachleda and Paul Kingsbury with Eddy Arnold and awards chair Don Cusic

Belmont Book Award

The Belmont Book Award, given for the Best Book on country music, is presented at the annual International Country Music Conference at Belmont University. Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America, edited by Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash with picture editor F. Lynne Bachleda won the award for calendar year 2006. Pictured are (L to R) F. Lynn Bachleda, Eddy Arnold, Paul Kingsbury and awards Chair Don Cusic.

2007 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Richard Weize with awards chair Don Cusic

Lifetime Achievement Award

The "Lifetime Achievement" award for "linking books with country music" was presented to Richard Weize of the Bear Family in Germany at the annual International Country Music Conference held at Belmont. Pictured are Richard Weize and Don Cusic.