CMT News

The third annual Golden Voice Awards, honoring veteran country performers, took place Thursday (June 14) aboard the General Jackson showboat on Nashville's Cumberland River. Hosted by John Conlee during Fain Fair week, the show benefits the Performers' Benefit Fund, which helps cover insurance and medical needs of Grand Ole Opry members.

The winners:

• Golden Voice Group -- The Whites
  
• Radio personality -- Keith Bilbrey (Nashville's WSM-AM (650))
  
• Female Golden Voice -- Connie Smith
  
• Servant of the Year -- Billy Deaton
  
• Bluegrass Golden Voice -- Jim & Jesse
  
• Golden Voice songwriter -- Bill Anderson
  
• Male Golden Voice -- Sonny James
  
• Golden Voice Spotlight -- George D. Hay and The Crook Brothers
  
• Golden Voice Legacy -- Ernest Tubb
  
• Golden Voice entertainer -- Mel Tillis
  
• Golden Voice career achievement - Porter Wagoner
  

Golden musician awards -- Billy Grammar (lead guitar); Billy
Linneman (bass); Spider Wilson (rhythm guitar); Jerry Whitehurst
(keyboard); Don Helms (steel guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Kenny
Malone (drums) 06/15/01