NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Hank Williams Jr. will be honored as an icon at this year's BMI awards. The honor puts Williams in elite company. Past honorees include Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, James Brown, the Bee Gees, Isaac Hayes and Steve Winwood.

Williams, who was nicknamed "Bocephus" by his legendary father Hank Williams Sr., is known for a long string of hit songs that include "Family Tradition," ''Country Boy Can Survive" and "All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down."

Six of his albums went platinum, and 20 were certified gold.

Williams, 59, reached an even wider audience with the "Monday Night Football" theme, which he wrote and performed.

Broadcast Music Inc., a performing rights organization, will hold its annual country awards Nov. 11 in Nashville.

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