Years ago, I interviewed Ricky Van Shelton, a country music star who had a string of gold and platinum records between 1987 and 1993. In 1987, he won Top New Male Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music; in 1989, he won Male Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association.
I asked him what the awards meant to him. How did they affect him personally?
“Well, they raise the price of your bookings.”
Shawn RyanAnd there you have it.
Not: “It’s nice to be recognized by your peers.” Not: “It makes you feel good to know that your music is reaching people.”