DANN HUFF (Nominated for Musician and Album of the Year.)
When Dann Huff was 9, he picked up his first tennis racket. It wasn't to hit tennis balls, but to use as a guitar stand-in. Soon Huff had a real guitar and his family, including his musical arranger father, moved to Nashville. He attended Belmont University and founded Christian rock group Whiteheart. In 1983, Huff moved to Los Angeles to pursue session guitar work and within a few years was recording with many artists including Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Kenny Loggins, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Whitesnake and Smokey Robinson. Huff formed the band Giant with his brother, and after recording albums and touring non-stop, Huff moved back to Nashville in the early 1990s to be closer to his family. He has recorded with Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain and more. Since 1996, Huff has produced albums for artists including Trace Adkins, Hill, Jewel, Lonestar, LeAnn Rimes, SHeDAISY and Keith Urban. Huff won the Musician trophy in 2001 and 2004. His Album of the Year nomination this year is for producing Keith Urban's Be Here album.
CMA Awards:
2001 Musician of the Year
2004 Musician of the Year
(Bio and Award Listing courtesy the Country Music Association)