Allstar Music Magazine, February 24, 1998

Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, & Dave Matthews Win Gibson Awards

Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Dave Matthews, and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham were among the winners of the fourth annual Orville H. Gibson Awards, held Tuesday (Feb. 24) at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York.

The awards - sponsored by Gibson Guitars, nominated by editors of leading guitar magazines and other journalists, and voted on by music critics - recognize guitarists and bassists in the genres of rock, blues, jazz, and country music. All of the proceeds from the event, which is hosted by VH1 VJ and co-host of ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos John Fugelsang, go to the Nordoff- Robbins Music Therapy Foundation, which helps severely handicapped children through the use of improvisational music.

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, along with a 1956 reissue Gibson Gold Top guitar. Fogerty accepted the award saying, "I really don't deserve this award," and dedicated it to his wife for "this achievement of life." He also made a crack about how he had lost his passion for playing for a period of time, quipping, "I think all of you have a suspicion of why," and warned people to "choose your friends carefully." He ended his acceptance speech with the humble words, "I'm not yet Chet, but I'm getting there," referring to one of his idols, guitar legend Chet Atkins.

Also on hand to accept his award was Buckingham, who next to Fogerty received the warmest reception from attendees. Buckingham was honored with the Best Rock Guitarist (Male) award, and used much of his time at the podium to drum up excitement for his next solo album, which he says will be coming out this fall.

Not appearing to have much of a sense of humor, the guitarist/ singer/ songwriter didn't even crack a smile when Fugelsang referred to Fleetwood Mac in his introduction as "Melrose Place without the gay guy." For that matter, though, the audience collectively groaned when he said Dave Matthews was the hardest working man in music "unless you count the Spice Girls' gynecologist."

Shawn Colvin, winner of the Best Acoustic Guitarist (Female) award, also informed attendees of a new arrival of her own. "My husband and I got some good news today," said Colvin. "We had an amniocentesis done and we have a healthy baby girl on the way." She also thanked Joni Mitchell and Richard Thompson for making her want to play acoustic guitar.

The late, great blues guitarist Luther Allison received a posthumous award, which his widow Rocky Brown accepted with an impassioned speech about her late husband, calling him a "soul fixing man."

1998 Orville H. Gibson Awards winners:

Best Rock Guitarist (Male): Lindsey Buckingham

Best Rock Guitarist (Female): Sheryl Crow

Best Acoustic Guitarist (Male): Dave Matthews

Best Acoustic Guitarist (Female): Shawn Colvin

Best Blues Guitarist (Male): Luther Allison

Best Blues Guitarist (Female): Bonnie Raitt

Best Country Guitarist (Male): Lee Roy Parnell

Best Country Guitarist (Female): Anita Cochran

Best Jazz Guitarist (Male): Mike Stern

Best Jazz Guitarist (Female): Leni Stern

Best Bassist (Male): Sebastian Steinberg of Soul Coughing

Best Bassist (Female): Me'Shell Ndgeocello

Les Paul Horizon Award -- Most Promising New Guitarist: Jonny Lang

Lifetime Achievement Award: John Fogerty

Thanks to Karen for posting this to The Ledge.