By: Edward Morris
To the visible disappointment of many, Rascal Flatts failed to show up at the party ASCAP hosted at its Nashville offices Tuesday (June 26) to celebrate the group's most recent No. 1 single, "Stand." However, the guests of honor -- songwriter Danny Orton and Blair Daly -- were on hand to take their bows.
Some in the media had been told that the much-awarded trio might drop in for the party but was not expected to grant interviews. Even so, television crews stood at the ready -- just in case. Jessie Schmidt, the group's publicist, circulated through the crowd looking alert, thereby fueling further speculation that the trio might be nearby.
With people craning their necks every time somebody walked in or an elevator door opened, it was like being in an in-the-round production of Waiting for Godot.
About a half hour after the party started, ASCAP's Mike Sistad called the crowd to order and invited the two songwriters forward. Because Orton is affiliated with ASCAP, he was the chief guest of honor. (Daly belongs to the competing performance rights organization, BMI.)
Since "Stand" was Orton's first No. 1, Sistad presented him the traditional first-timer's award, a monogrammed ASCAP jacket. Sistad also pointed out that Rascal Flatts has so far cut four of Orton's songs.
After the first round of trophies was handed out, Sistad paused to announce that Rascal Flatts and producer Dann Huff were still in a recording session and apparently unable to break away for the festivities.
"That was short and sweet," grumbled a TV producer as he picked up his equipment bag and headed for the door. "Well, it was short," someone responded.
See photos from the "Stand" No. 1 party..
