Kenny Chesney was on hand at the 2016 BMI Country Awards in Nashville on Tuesday night (Nov. 1) to receive the BMI President's Award.

According to a press release, the President's Award is "presented to songwriters who have distinctly and profoundly influenced the entertainment industry." Chesney joins an elite list of songwriters from across all genres in winning the President's Award, including Pink, Taylor Swift, Adam Levine, Willie Nelson, Brooks & Dunn and Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Chesney was also the subject of a musical tribute at the ceremony, with Keith Urban giving a rousing rendition of Chesney's most-performed single, "I Go Back," while Eric Church performed "Anything But Mine." Legendary songwriter Dean Dillon also gave the crowd a performance of Chesney's first single, "The Tin Man," which Chesney also wrote unassisted.

"Kenny Chesney is first and foremost a songwriter," says Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, in a press release. "Not only has he earned the respect of the songwriting community, but he has also developed into a top-notch recording artist who re-wrote the concert touring experience by selling out stadiums year after year. He is a friend to up-and-coming artists and songwriters and is as inspiring as he is talented. It is time to salute him for a career that has brought so much to so many, and is far from over."

Chesney is also slated to receive the Pinnacle Award at the 2016 CMA Awards, making him only the third artist to receive it after Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift. The award "recognizes an artist who has achieved global prominence through concert performances and record sales at levels unique in country music."

"When you do what you do, you never think it’s a big deal," Chesney says. "But when an organization like CMA recognizes you in this fashion, it makes you step back. To receive this award – especially during their 50th Anniversary – is such an honor, because they’re recognizing half a century of country music."

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