WE BELONG TOGETHER
Darnell Bristol
Mariah Carey
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Sid "Uncle Jamz" Johnson
Patrick L. Moten
Sandra Sully
Bobby Womack
ABKCO Music, Inc.
Ballads By Design Publishing
Hip Chic Music
Mister Johnson's Jams Music
Rye Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Mariah Carey
Island Records

YOU AND ME
Jude Cole
Jason Wade
Dimensional Songs of the Knoll
G-Chills Music
Jude Cole Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Lifehouse
Geffen Records

Members of Thunderkatz celebrate with BMI's Catherine Brewton

The New Jersey-based sextet worked the packed house into a frenzy, winning the favor of the judges with their unique "feel good" rock/hip-hop concoction. Thunderkatz were crowned the top winners out of the four performing finalists who were chosen from over 300 submissions by a group of top BMI songwriters, producers and industry executives. Celebrity judges included multi-platinum producer DJ Toomp (T.I., Lil Jon, Ludacris), 112 member Daron Jones, Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Michael Cox, and influential songwriter and producer Jazze Pha (Ciara, T.I., Outkast).

BMI’s Wardell Malloy, B-Cox, Nokio, BMI’s Catherine Brewton, Karl Kani, BMI’s Malik Levy

Thunderkatz walked away with several cool prizes, including an iPod; airfare, accommodations and two tickets to the 2006 BMI Urban Awards; two days of recording time with an engineer at DARP Studios provided by BMI award-winning songwriter/producer Dallas Austin; and two tracks to be produced by BMI Grammy-nominated production duo Cool & Dre.

Malachi, BMI's Catherine Brewton, BMI's Wardell Malloy and Rico Wade

"This showcase exposes hot BMI urban talent like Thunderkatz to all the right people," said BMI's Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta. "We are proud of our strong presence in Atlanta's urban music community and throughout the entire country as well. Congratulations to Thunderkatz and to all the artists who performed."

Leo

The star-studded event also included a celebrity fashion show set to the spins of DJ Drama, featuring the latest collection from the new Karl Kani line, Live Life Love Denim, and swimwear from Atlanta Beach. Kani, considered the grandfather of hip-hop couture, did not disappoint and offered some sizzling eye-candy.

Suga Suga members flank BMI's Catherine Brewton and Lynn Oliver

Multi-platinum recording artist and actor Big Boi of Outkast was on hand to present the first BMI Legends of ATL Award to Organized Noize members Rico Wade and Ray Murray (Pat "Sleepy" Brown was unable to attend). This new award recognizes their accomplishments and contributions to Atlanta's urban music community.

Lil Jon and Catherine Brewton

Other celebrities taking part in the event included Atlantic recording artist Trey Songz, who moonlighted as model during the fashion show, and Def Jam recording artist Ne-Yo, who topped off the night with a special performance.

(Standing) Oozie, James "Wildcat" Booker, Big Boi, BMI's Byron Wright, Wardell Malloy and Catherine Brewton, T-Mo, Blvd; (kneeling) Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Gipp

BMI's Catherine Brewton with showcase winners Thunderkatz and Lil Jon

Ne-Yo, Catherine Brewton, and Lil Jon

Shaliek Rivers (Universal Recording Recording Artist)

Algebra (Kedar Entertainment Recording Artist)

Kenard Gibbs (President, VIBE) & Wardell Malloy (BMI)

Tanya Brown (Famous Music Publishing), 7 Aurelius (Songwriter/Producer) & Catherine Brewton (BMI)

Algebra (Kedar Entertainment Recording Artist), Trey Songz (Atlantic Records Recording Artist)

Wardell Malloy (BMI), Sunny (Hot 97), Mario Winans (Bad Boy Recording Artist), Daron Jones (member of Def Jam Recording group, 112), Erica Tompkins (BMI)

Trey Songz (Atlantic Records Recording Artist)

Mario Winans (Bad Boy Recording Artist)

Catherine Brewton (BMI) & Mimi Valdes (Editor-In-Chief, VIBE)

Fred Jackson (VIBE), Wardell Malloy (BMI), Damien Lemon (VIBE)

Mario Winans (Bad Boy Recording Artist)

Shaliek Rivers (Universal Recording Artist)

Christopher Lewis

Abby Dobson

Jonz

MaJoR KEyZ

With a performance by special guests and Universal recording artists Big Tymers. Superproducer Manny Fresh and Cash Money co-CEO Bryan “Baby” Williams mix their free-wheeling lyrical improvisation, larger-than-life personas and Freshís superb production, incorporating live instrumentation inspired by 70ís old school R&B, a touch of New Orleans bounce and classic hip hop. Come see why their single “ Still Fly “is moving up the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks.

The showcase winner will be determined by a distinguished panel of industry standouts, including:

Rodney Jerkins, two-time Grammy-award winning producer (Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, N’Sync & Brandy)

Shakir Stewart, Senior VP & GM Hitco Music (BeyoncÈ Knowles of Destiny’s Child)

Shante Paige, VP of A&R Motown Records (Profyle, Rasheeda, the Temptations)

Tse Williams, VP of A&R Universal Records (3LW, Joe)

Toi Green, Director of A&R Jive Records (Mystikal, The Wood Soundtrack)

J-Que, Winner BMI New Music Urban Showcase 2001 and Hitco Music songwriter

Frank Ski, Program Director at V103/Atlanta

Kamala Gordon, Director of Publishing Warner Chapell (Rockwilder, Faith Evans)

Leotis Clyburn, Director of Creative Development Ground Control Music (Tyrice Jones, Jerel Allen and Terry Harris of 7 Productions)

Teddy Bishop, CEO of Grove Factor Production, songwriter, composer, and producer (Toni Braxton, Montell Jordan, Jagged Edge)

Brian Jackson, Senior Vice President, Creative A&R EMI Music Publishing (Rodney Jerkins, The Neptunes, Jerry Duplessis, Pink)

Rico Wade, three-time Grammy-nominated producer (TLC, Outkast, Goodie Mob & The Dungeon Family

Directions to Celebrity Rock Café, 56 East Andrews

From Airport/Downtown/Midtown

Take I-75/I-85 north. When the interstate splits remain on I-75 North. Take the W Paces Ferry Rd exit. Turn right onto W Paces Ferry Rd. Remain on W Paces Ferry Rd for approximately 3 miles. Turn left on E Andrews Dr. Celebrity Rock CafÈ will be on the right side of the road.

From Lenox Mall/Buckhead

Take Peachtree Rd south (towards downtown). Make a right onto W Paces Ferry Rd. At the second stop light, E Andrews Dr., turn right. Celebrity Rock Café will be on the right side of the road.