Babyface appears in...
BMI Songwriters Chart Big on Billboard Hot 100’s First 1,000 No. 1s

In 1958, Billboard magazine created the “Hot 100,” a listing showing the top songs being purchased and aired in the U.S. week after week. Decade after decade, BMI songwriters have dominated the chart with some of the greatest hits ever written, from “Lonely Boy,” “Stop in the Name of Love,” and “Let It Be,” to “Da Doo Ron Ron,” Stayin’ Alive,” and “I Will Always Love You.” That proud tradition…
Paul Simon Honored by BMI Board of Directors at NAB Convention

Kix Brooks, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Kara Dioguardi also recognized for their songwriting prowess at dinner The BMI Board of Directors honored BMI legend Paul Simon for his prolific songwriting career at its annual dinner, held Tuesday, April 12 during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas. BMI Board Chair Jack Sander and BMI President…
Shy Carter Rips Down Walls

Don’t let the bashful nickname fool you: Blake “Shy” Carter has arrived in a decidedly bold way. And if things go according to plan, the Memphis-born songwriter/producer will be dominating the charts for years to come. In an historically-impressive crossover move, Carter has transitioned from writing and producing tracks for urban music leaders like Nelly and Ashanti, to penning full-tilt chart-busters for—wait for it—country and pop acts.…
Savan Kotecha’s Creative Edge? He’s Never Satisfied.

These are magical, sparkle-dusted days for Savan Kotecha. A graduate of the Nordic school of pop songcraft—he learned at the knee of composer extraordinaire Max Martin—Kotecha is slowly building a career as writer for virtuoso pop acts like Celine Dion, Leona Lewis and Il Divo. Kotecha not only co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s career igniting hit “Inside Your Heaven,” he also contributed to
Mary Brown

“I write strictly for the love of music,” says Mary Brown, the phenom who, up until now, has worked to remain intentionally under the radar. “I don’t self-promote; I never had a manager.” Considering Brown’s track record, her low-key approach to career management seems like quite an accomplishment, indeed. Brown, a songwriter, vocal coach and singer, has penned hits for countless marquee artists, working with Mary J.…
L.A. ‘Industry Insider’ Spotlights Latin Music
BMI, Gibson Guitar and Billboard magazine will present a Latin music-focused “Industry Insider” panel series on Wednesday, October 17. Focusing on Latin music, the “Producers Roundtable” will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gibson Guitars Showroom in Beverly Hills. The showroom is located at 9350 Civic Center Drive, Suite 130. The panel will be moderated by Billboard Latin music correspondent Ayala Ben-Yehuda, and will feature some of…
Fall Out Boy Flies Up the Charts

In just two short years on the scene, Fall Out Boy has certainly lived up to the atomic implications of their band name. Following the May 2005 release of the group’s major-label Island Records debut, From Under The Cork Tree, the foursome exploded onto the modern rock scene, racking up worldwide sales of some three million albums and winning a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. What…
Fred Hammond

Truly creative spirits rarely stand still and, indeed, in the past few years, Fred Hammond’s life has been a whirlwind of change. The acclaimed singer/songwriter/producer left his home in Detroit and settled in Dallas where he began work on his latest chart-topping album, Free to Worship, on Verity Records. “I wanted a sound that would come out of here that would say familiar, but fresh,” he says…
BMI Salutes Top Urban Music Makers at Star-Studded Gala in NYC
BMI saluted the premier r&b, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 6th Annual Urban Awards held Aug. 30 in New York City. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Atlanta Writer/Publisher VP Catherine Brewton, the red carpet was hopping at the star-studded ceremony, which took place at the famed Roseland Ballroom.
Michael Figueroa

As a senior in high school, songwriter Michael Figueroa was asked a question by his academic advisor, “What will you do after you graduate?” “I have no idea,” he replied. His counselor then asked what he was passionate about. The answer to that was easy; Michael eagerly answered, “Music!” Following his passion, Figueroa has forged a successful career as an up-and-coming bilingual songwriter and composer working in…
