Mr. Speaker: I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of one of Nashville's most respected music professionals, Buddy Cannon. Just two weeks ago, Buddy was named by his peers as the Producer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Buddy has worked with a long-list of chart-topping recording artists during his years in Nashville. Kenny Chesney, Chely Wright, Reba McEntire, John Michael Montgomery, Sara Evans and George Jones have all benefited from his work as a producer. In addition, he helped launch the careers of stars such as Shania Twain, Sammy Kershaw and Billy Ray Cyrus while a recording company executive. While his award this week honors him for his work as a producer, he is also well known and celebrated as a songwriter with songs recorded by artists from Mel Tillis to Alabama, George Strait and Vern Gosdin.

According to those who have worked with Buddy, his gifts extend beyond the world of music. Buddy is known throughout the music community for his generous spirit and his willingness to spend time with young artists who are still in search of their own sound.

Kenny Chesney, honored by the ACM as Entertainer of the Year, said recently that "Back before I even had a record deal, Buddy was writing songs with me at Acuff-Rose and he gave me a lot of respect as someone trying to find their way, and he taught me a lot about respecting songs - even before he was part of my team."

Buddy Cannon's passion for music and respect for musicians is well known in Nashville and the music world. I join with so many others in congratulating Buddy on his latest achievement - being named Producer of the Year. But I also join with so many others in thanking Buddy for his many important contributions to the global music community and to my hometown of Nashville.

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Jim Cooper
Member of Congress