Swift, Williams big winners at BMI awards

The awards were presented Tuesday in Nashville.

Casey Beathard won songwriter of the year for the second time. Beathard co-wrote several recent hits including Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink" and George Strait's "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls."

Swift co-wrote "Teardrops On My Guitar." The song earned iTunes' No. 1 country song honors of 2007 and digital platinum certification.

Williams joins Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and others as a BMI icon. His hits include "Family Tradition," ''Country Boy Can Survive" and "All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down."

Williams reached an even wider audience with his "Monday Night Football" theme.

BMI, or Broadcast Music Inc., is a performing rights organization.

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