“Every single style of music is represented in what we’re doing,” affirms Marty James, who founded the group five years ago with MDA, a DJ who worked as a graphic artist and designer at the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal label, and Z-Man, an underground staple MC from the Bay Area. “It’s just something that happened naturally. Different drumbeats send me in different directions. I’ll hear an old song and think what it was about it I liked, then try to make something with that same core energy.”

Audibly influenced by everyone from De La Soul and Cypress Hill to Steve Winwood and David Bowie, the group’s eclecticism never comes off forced; instead, it’s woven naturally into the trio’s tunes. Who else could get away with sampling the White Stripes for one song (“Mama’s Heart”) and invoking smooth ’80s-style r&b on another (the single “You Got Me”)?

“This is the perfect song for us as the first single,” James says. “It’s about trying to live up to your dreams, having these ambitious goals, but at the same time trying to keep your loved ones, your biggest supporters, those you’re closest to, at the forefront, knowing that you’re all in it together.”

“I thought it would be a good song in terms of getting us out there on a wider scale for people to hear,” says Z-Man, while MDA, whom James describes as OBR’s “backbone, the glue that makes everything come together,” adds, “It’s got the hint of an ’80s ballad to it, a mix of r&b and hip-hop.”

BMI will pair with the Los Angeles Times to present the second annual “How I Wrote the Song” panel Saturday, February 9, from 1p.m. until 3p.m., at the Key Club in L.A. Mirroring the format of 2007’s sold-out forum, another elite cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody of Evanescence, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes will discuss their work, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners. Moderated by BMI’s Vice President, Writer Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and Los Angeles Times Music Critic Ann Powers, the event is open to the public. Advance tickets are available now for $10 through Ticketmaster at www.keyclub.com or the Key Club box office; day-of admission at the door will be $20.

Grammy Award-winner Rodney Jerkins’s creative dexterity materializes in distinct but diverse musical triumphs. The pen behind take-charge smashes including Destiny Child’s “Say My Name,” Brandy & Monica’s duet “The Boy is Mine” and Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu,” Jerkins has also produced work by contemporary superstars including Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child. His unerring ear led to a vice president of a&r position with Island Def Jam, while Janet Jackson’s forthcoming project Discipline features his signature production.

American Idol alum Chris Daughtry has brazenly staked a record-breaking place in contemporary music, confidently fronting the aptly titled rock band Daughtry. The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter signed with RCA and management powerhouse 19 Entertainment after his fan-propelled success on American Idol, and his band’s eponymous debut sold more than 1 million copies in only five weeks. The projectile success of the album, featuring songs “It’s Not Over,” “Home” and “Over You,” resulted in the fastest-selling debut in the history of SoundScan.

Rapper, actor, musician and activist, Mos Def’s sheer versatility places him amongst contemporary pop culture’s premier creators. Musically, his work includes blithe collaborations with legendary group De La Soul and artist Talib Kweli. Def’s partnership with Kweli, the duet album Black Star, resulted in underground frenzy and glowing critical praise. His subsequent solo album, Black on Both Sides, produced more of the same. Nominated for two Grammys, Def also boasts Golden Globe, Emmy and Source award nods.

Serial hitmaker Ben Moody first gained recognition as guitarist and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning group Evanescence. His output during and after the band has further exposed an adroit singer/songwriter capable of powerful hooks and lush layers; songs including Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal,” along with Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” sprang from Moody’s id. Collaborations as a producer with Clarkson, Celine Dion, Bo Bice and Lindsey Lohan further emphasize his seemingly limitless versatility.

Super producer and innovative songwriter Polow Da Don’s quintessential hip factor springs from authentic skill. His innate musical savvy has finessed infectious hits including Fergie’s “Glamorous,” the Pussy Cat Dolls’ “Buttons,” Ciara’s “Promise” and Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love Song.” Fergie’s enthusiastic shout out, “Polow!” on her smash “London Bridge,” made Da Don’s fluid alias a pop culture catch phrase, adding household recognition to the power player’s growing reputation.

Singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton’s blend of old-school soul and cool contemporary grit is artist’s art in the best sense of the phrase: Members of the neo-soul and poetic hip hop elite including D’Angelo, Tupac Shakur and Eve have looked to Hamilton for backup harmonies, while the North Carolina native’s critically-acclaimed solo work has landed on arguably avant-garde projects including the American Gangster film soundtrack. His 2007 effort, Southern Comfort, features eleven new songs all written by Hamilton.

Brian Howes' life in music did not come as a surprise with a great-great grandfather who was a baritone opera singer, a grandmother who was a songwriter, and a grandfather who played alto sax for swing band greats Benny Goodman and Louis Prima, his career choice was practically predetermined. As part of punk-ska-rap band DDT early on in his career, Brian toured with bands such as Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, The Scorpion and DOA. Post DDT, he penned hits and earned placements in several movies all while maintaining number 1 and top 10 international hits. Brian then added production to is arsenal and has had success by writing and producing with Grammy-nominated Atlantic band Skillet amongst others. Brian’s recent success has included collaborations with Kara Dioguardi, Shelly Piken, Chad Kroeger, Hinder and Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame for his RCA Records Album.

S O S
Evan Bogart
Edward Cobb
Jonathan "JR" Rotem
Embassy Music Corporation
Here's Lookin' At You Kidd Music
Jonathan Rotem Music
Reach Global Songs
Southside Independent Music Publishing LLC
Rihanna
SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG

SAVIN' ME
Daniel Adair (SOCAN)
Chad Kroeger (SOCAN)
Mike Kroeger (SOCAN)
Ryan Peake (SOCAN)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Nickelback
Roadrunner/IDJMG Records

SHAKE IT OFF
Mariah Carey
Rye Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Mariah Carey
Island Records

SHE SAYS
Howie Day
HKD Music
Howie Day
Epic Records

SO SICK
Ne-Yo
Super Sayin' Publishing
Zomba Songs
Ne-Yo
Def Jam/IDJMG

SOUL SURVIVOR
Young Jeezy
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Young Jeezy Music
Young Jeezy featuring Akon
Corporate Thugs/Def Jam Records

STICKWITU
Franne Golde
Kasia Livingston
Robert Palmer
Franne Gee Music
Myia’s Koala Bear Music Publishing
Notting Hill Music, Inc.
Parchi Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Pussycat Dolls
A & M Records

SUGAR (GIMME SOME)
David Byrne
Trick Daddy
First and Gold Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Trick Daddy featuring Ludacris & Cee-Lo
Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic

SUGAR, WE'RE GOIN' DOWN
Andrew Hurley
Patrick Stump
Joe Trohman
Pete Wentz
Chicago X Softcore Songs
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Fall Out Boy
IDJMG/Fueled By Ramen/Island

TALK
Karl Bartos (GEMA)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Coldplay
Capitol Music Group

UNFAITHFUL
Ne-Yo
Super Sayin' Publishing
Zomba Songs
Rihanna
SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG

UNWRITTEN
Natasha Bedingfield (PRS)
Danielle Brisebois
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Gator Baby
Natasha Bedingfield
Epic Records

WALK AWAY
Kara DioGuardi
K'Stuff Publishing
Kelly Clarkson
RCA/RMG

WHAT HURTS THE MOST
Jeffrey Steele
Gottahaveable Music
Songs of Windswept Pacific
Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street

WHEN THE STARS GO BLUE
Ryan Adams
Barland Music
Tim McGraw
Curb Records

WHERE'D YOU GO
Mike Shinoda
Kenji Kobayashi Music
Zomba Songs
Fort Minor featuring Holly Brook & Jonah Matranga
Machine Shop/WB

YOU AND ME (2nd Award)
Jude Cole
Jason Wade
Dimensional Songs of the Knoll
G-Chills Music
Jude Cole Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Lifehouse
Geffen Records

YOU 'RE BEAUTIFUL
James Blunt (PRS)
Amanda Ghost (PRS)
Sacha Skarbek
David Platz Music, Inc.
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
James Blunt
Atlantic Records

YOUR BODY
Bigg D
Marcus "Pleasure" Cooper
Jim Jonsin
Corey "Slick' Em" Mathis
Diamond "Baby Blue" Smith
Joseph "Blue" Smith
Spectacular Smith
Black Boy Hatchet Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Pretty Ricky
Atlantic Records

London Awards Event Photos

Ray Davies: BMI Icon Feature Story

London Awards Song List

Davies is co-founder, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Kinks, one of the most long-lived and influential rock groups of the British Invasion. As the band's chief songwriter, he is the pen behind such Kinks classics as "You Really Got Me," "All Day and All of the Night," "A Well Respected Man," "Waterloo Sunset," "Tired of Waiting For You," "Sunny Afternoon," "Lola" and "Come Dancing."

In a written tribute to Davies that was read at the event, Who guitarist Pete Townshend called Davies "the true laureate of British popular music." In addition to Townshend, who credits his sound to the 40-plus year music vet, artists as diverse as Morrissey, Blur and Oasis also claim Davies as their main influence.

"Listen to Your Heart," written by Per Gessle and Mats Persson, and published by Jimmy Fun Music (all STIM), was named Song of the Year and received one of the organization's highest accolades, the Robert S. Musel Award. Recorded by Belgium-based duo D.H.T., the song was originally a No. 1 hit for Roxette in 1989 and received the BMI Dance Award at last year's ceremony.

"Feel Good Inc.," co-written by Gorillaz members Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett (both PRS), along with De La Soul's David Jolicoeur, was named BMI's College Song of the Year for tallying the most performances on American college radio. The Grammy Award-winning hit is from the Gorillaz' Demon Days CD, which went double platinum in the U.S. and triple platinum in the U.K.

The BMI Dance Award went to "Everytime We Touch," written by Stuart MacKillop, Maggie Reilly (both PRS) and Peter Risavy (GEMA), and published by Mambo/Sony/ATV Music Publishing Germany (GEMA). The infectious tune by Euro-dance trio Cascada was a worldwide smash, including in America, where it topped the dance charts and made it into the Top Ten of the pop charts.

"Million-Air" certificates were also presented throughout the evening in recognition of those songs that have achieved over three million U.S. radio and television performances - or the equivalent of more than 17 years of continuous airplay. Topping the list was the theme to Mondo Cane, "More," which earned a seven million performance award for songwriters Marcello Ciorciolini (SIAE), Norman Newell (PRS), Nino Oliviero (SIAE) and Riz Ortolani (SIAE). "You're Still the One," written and recorded by 2004 BMI London Awards Song of the Year winner Shania Twain (PRS), reached the six million performance plateau. Other "Million-Air" recipients included Sir Elton John, Eric Clapton, the Bee Gees, Sting, Seal, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel and Paul Rodgers of Free (all PRS).]]> 2006-10-03T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/533097 Artists, Brown, James, De La Soul, Gray, Macy, Sting, Musical Styles, Pop, Urban, Musicworld, Feature Originally two break-dancers named Will.i.am and apl.de.ap who decided to form a group, the Black Eyed Peas is without a doubt one of the biggest success stories in hip-hop, if not all of contemporary music. Once called Atban Klann (an acronym for A Tribe Beyond a Nation), the group that became BEP has always been a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic conglomeration of Los Angeles hipsters with an eye toward social relevance and an ear toward organic music. Only now, they’ve got street cred, the respect of the hip-hop intelligencia and the commercial viability that eluded them since they formed a decade ago.

Will and apl recorded an album under Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records in 1992, but Atban Klann found their project shelved by a label that wasn’t sure what to do with rap devoid of roughneck themes. With Eazy’s death in 1995, the group’s future looked bleak. But they pressed on, adding another dancer/rapper, Taboo, and reemerging as the Black Eyed Peas. The group gigged around L.A. and, in 1998, released Behind the Front. Not only did the group have a totally original look and Stage demeanor — they’re still the only group to hold up break dance as one of the important features of hip-hop — they managed to please critics with their mishmash of uplifting lyrics, live music and lighthearted jams. The album was one of Billboard’s Top 50 Hip-Hop albums that year, and it introduced the group to a fan base of smart hip-hoppers nostalgic for thoughtful raps.

Bridging the Gap, their second effort, was an apt title, since other, more established quirky hip-hop stars like De La Soul and Macy Gray rallied around them. Now BEP was filling a space left by the demise of playful innovators like A Tribe Called Quest. Vocalist Kim Hill’s presence was felt a bit more strongly, helping the warm, festive project climb both the Billboard Top 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

Then, in 2003, everything changed. Buoyed by “Let’s Get It Started,” Elephunk sold 7.5 million albums. It was an astonishing feat for a group that got its start as a break-dancing crew. This go-round, new female singer Fergie was front and center, adding a bit of sex appeal to the previous, decidedly male-centric arrangement. The Peas’ devotion to pushing boundaries and, as their funky clothes attest, drawing inspiration from everywhere, was interwoven into their act.

Reggae, Latin and rock are obvious forces on the record, and even the members’ nationalities — Will.i.am is African-American, apl.de.ap is Filipino, Taboo is Mexican-American and Fergie is Native- and Mexican-American — played into the mix. One of the album’s songs, “The Apl Song,” with the chorus written in the Filipino language Tagalog, documents apl’s life story. Even more telling of their world view is their success overseas: The group toured the world for 18 months, and though the album went double platinum in America, singles “Where is the Love,” “Shut Up” and “Hey Mama” all went higher or spent more time at the top of the charts in the U.K., France and Germany than they did at home.

Now a worldwide phenomenon, the BEP party keeps on rolling with their latest release, Monkey Business, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, selling over 295,000 copies in its first week. Monkey Business includes cameos by James Brown, Sting and Branford Marsalis, and marked a pointed move by the group towards a mainstream audience.

The Black Eyed Peas have broken molds and refused to bow to boundaries. “I think the fact that we just have fun with music is the reason why it works for us,” says Will.i.am. “We love music and melodies and don’t try to distinguish ourselves from regular music fans. It’s really that simple.”

Will and apl recorded an album under Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records in 1992, but Atban Klann found their project shelved by a label that wasn’t sure what to do with rap devoid of roughneck themes. With Eazy’s death in 1995, the group’s future looked bleak. But they pressed on, adding another dancer/rapper, Taboo, and reemerging as the Black Eyed Peas. The group gigged around L.A. and, in 1998, released Behind the Front. Not only did the group have a totally original look and stage demeanor — they’re still the only group to hold up break dance as one of the important features of hip-hop — they managed to please critics with their mishmash of uplifting lyrics, live music and lighthearted jams. The album was one of Billboard’s Top 50 Hip-Hop albums that year, and it introduced the group to a fan base of smart hip-hoppers nostalgic for thoughtful raps.

Bridging the Gap, their second effort, was an apt title, since other, more established quirky hip-hop stars like De La Soul and Macy Gray rallied around them. Now BEP was filling a space left by the demise of playful innovators like A Tribe Called Quest. Vocalist Kim Hill’s presence was felt a bit more strongly, helping the warm, festive project climb both the Billboard Top 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

Then, in 2003, everything changed. Buoyed by “Let’s Get It Started,” Elephunk sold 7.5 million albums. It was an astonishing feat for a group that got its start as a break-dancing crew. This go-round, new female singer Fergie was front and center, adding a bit of sex appeal to the previous, decidedly male-centric arrangement. The Peas’ devotion to pushing boundaries and, as their funky clothes attest, drawing inspiration from everywhere, was interwoven into their act.

Reggae, Latin and rock are obvious forces on the record, and even the members’ nationalities — Will.i.am is African-American, apl.de.ap is Filipino, Taboo is Mexican-American and Fergie is Native- and Mexican-American — played into the mix. One of the album’s songs, “The Apl Song,” with the chorus written in the Filipino language Tagalog, documents apl’s life story. Even more telling of their world view is their success overseas: The group toured the world for 18 months, and though the album went double platinum in America, singles “Where is the Love,” “Shut Up” and “Hey Mama” all went higher or spent more time at the top of the charts in the U.K., France and Germany than they did at home.

Now a worldwide phenomenon, the BEP party keeps on rolling with their latest release, Monkey Business, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, selling over 295,000 copies in its first week. Monkey Business includes cameos by James Brown, Sting and Branford Marsalis, and marked a pointed move by the group towards a mainstream audience.

The Black Eyed Peas have broken molds and refused to bow to boundaries. “I think the fact that we just have fun with music is the reason why it works for us,” says Will.i.am. “We love music and melodies and don’t try to distinguish ourselves from regular music fans. It’s really that simple.”

Mariah Carey	Alison Krauss

Adding to BMI's 53% take of the night's awards, triple winners Mariah Carey, Alison Krauss, John Legend and Kanye West led the list with the most trophies, dominating the r&b, rap and country categories.

John Legend	Kanye West

Carey, whose comeback release The Emancipation of Mimi was named Best Contemporary R&B Album, also took home Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for the album's smash hit "We Belong Together."

CeCe Winans	Black Eyed Peas

Bluegrass fiddler Alison Krauss and her band Union Station added Best Country Album (Lonely Runs Both Ways), Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals ("Restless") and Best Country Instrumental Performance ("Unionhouse Branch") to an impressive career Grammy haul that now totals 20.

Shakira	Gorillaz

The coveted Best New Artist Grammy went to neo-soul artist John Legend, who also picked up Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the moving "Ordinary People" and Best R&B Album for his debut entitled Get Lifted.

Tim McGraw	Linkin Park

Kanye West cleaned up in the rap field, winning Best Rap Solo Performance for the Jamie Foxx duet "Gold Digger," Best Rap Song for "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" and Best Rap Album for his sophomore effort Late Registration. The BMI Award-winning rapper also won three awards at last year's ceremony.

Aretha Franklin	Maroon5

Earning two Grammys apiece were pianist Billy Childs for Best Instrumental Composition ("Into The Light") and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists ("What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life?"), and gospel singer CeCe Winans for Best Gospel Performance ("Pray") and Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album (Purified).

Keith Urban	System of a Down

Other big BMI winners included the Black Eyed Peas, Gorillaz, Shakira, Audio Adrenaline, Keith Urban, Gilberto Gil, Bobby Boyd, William Bolcom, Aretha Franklin, Maroon5, Linkin Park, Tim McGraw, System of a Down, the White Stripes and Luis Miguel.

BMI's 2006 Grammy Award Winners:

Yolanda Adams
Best Gospel Song
"Be Blessed"

Audio Adrenaline
Best Rock Gospel Album
Until My Heart Caves In

Black Eyed Peas
Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group
"Don't Phunk With My Heart"

William Bolcom
Best Classical Contemporary Composition
"Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience"

Bobby Boyd
Best Country Song
"Bless the Broken Road"

Mariah Carey
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
"We Belong Together"
Best R&B Song
"We Belong Together"
Best Contemporary R&B Album
The Emancipation of Mimi

Billy Childs
Best Instrumental Composition
"Into The Light"
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists
"What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life?"

Casting Crowns
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Lifesong

Christopher Cerf
Best Spoken Word Album for Children
Marlo Thomas & Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long

Willy Chirino
Best Salsa/Merengue Album
Son Del Alma

John Du Prez (PRS)
Best Musical Show Album
Monty Python's Spamalot

Aretha Franklin
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
"A House Is Not A Home"

Gilberto Gil
Best Contemporary World Music Album
Eletrac?stico

Gorillaz (PRS) featuring De La Soul
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
"Feel Good Inc."

Jeff Hanna
Best Country Song
"Bless the Broken Road"

Faith Hill
Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
"Like We Never Loved At All"

Dave Holland Big Band
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Overtime

Marcus Hummon
Best Country Song
"Bless the Broken Road"

Eric Idle (PRS)
Best Musical Show Album
Monty Python's Spamalot

B.B. King
Best Traditional Blues Album
80

Alison Krauss and Union Station
Best Country Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal
"Restless"
Best Country Instrumental Performance
"Unionhouse Branch"
Best Country Album
Lonely Runs Both Ways

John Legend
Best New Artist
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
"Ordinary People"
Best R&B Album
Get Lifted

Linkin Park
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"Numb/Encore"

Little Joe y La Familia
Best Tejano Album
Chicanisimo

Maroon5
Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal
"This Love"

Delbert McClinton
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Cost Of Living

Donnie McClurkin
Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs

The Del McCoury Band
Best Bluegrass Album
The Company We Keep

Tim McGraw
Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
"Like We Never Loved At All"

Pat Metheny Group
Best Contemporary Jazz Album
The Way Up

Luis Miguel
Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album
México En La Piel

Eddie Palmieri
Best Latin Jazz Album
Listen Here!

John Prine
Best Contemporary Folk Album
Fair & Square

Sonny Rollins
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo
Why Was I Born?

Fat Man Scoop
Best Short Form Music Video
"Lose Control"

Shakira
Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album
Fijación Oral Vol. 1

Wayne Shorter Quartet
Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
Beyond The Sound Barrier

Jimmy Sturr
Best Polka Album
Shake, Rattle And Polka!

System of a Down
Best Hard Rock Performance
B.Y.O.B.

Turtle Island String Quartet
Best Classical Crossover Album
4 + Four

Keith Urban
Best Male Country Vocal Performance
"You'll Think Of Me"

Bebo Valdés
Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album
Bebo De Cuba

Louie Vega
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
"Superfly (Louie Vega EOL Mix)"

Kanye West
Best Rap Solo Performance
"Gold Digger"
Best Rap Song
"Diamonds From Sierra Leone"
Best Rap Album
Late Registration

The White Stripes
Best Alternative Album
Get Behind Me Satan

CeCe Winans
Best Gospel Performance
"Pray"
Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album
Purified

Paul Winter Consort
Best New Age Album
Silver Solstice]]> 2006-02-08T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334631 Artists, Adams, William, Adams, Yolanda, Aguilera, Christina, Audio Adrenaline, Audioslave, Austin, Dallas, Ayala, Ramon, Ball, Marcia, Barretto, Ray, Big & Rich, Black Eyed Peas, Blanchard, Terence, Blue Highway, Bolcom, William, Boyer, Peter, Brooks & Dunn, Bush, Sam, Carey, Mariah, Carr, Kurt, Casting Crowns, Cerf, Christopher, Chapman, Steven Curtis, Cherryholmes, Childs, Billy, Chirino, Willy, Clapton, Eric, Clark-Cole, Dorinda, Common, Cooder, Ry, Copeland, Stewart, Crow, Sheryl, Cunliffe, Bill, D'Rivera, Paquito, Daft Punk, Daniels, Charlie, De La Soul, Death Cab For Cutie, Del McCoury Band, The, DiFranco, Ani, Dixie Chicks, Douglas, Dave, Douglas, Jerry, Du Prez, John, Elfman, Danny, Eminem, Fall Out Boy, Floetry, Foo Fighters, Foster, David, Foxx, Jamie, Franklin, Aretha, Franklin, Kirk, Game, The, Gatlin, Larry, Gil, Gilberto, Gill, Vince, Golijov, Osvaldo, Gorillaz, Guy, Buddy, Haggard, Merle, Hancock, Herbie, Hanna, Jeff, Hill, Faith, Holland, Dave, Houghton, Israel, Hummon, Marcus, Hunt, Van, Idle, Eric, Intocable, Jamiroquai, Jars of Clay, Jerkins, Rodney, Jones, Norah, Keane, Kee, John P., Keith, Toby, Kelly, R., King, B.B., Krauss, Alison, La Tropa F, LaBelle, Patti, Lawrence, Donald, Legend, John, Linkin Park, Los Lonely Boys, Maroon 5, McBride, Martina, McClinton, Delbert, McClurkin, Donnie, McGehee, Vicky, McGraw, Tim, McLachlan, Sarah, Metheny, Pat, Miguel, Luis, Mo, Keb, Molotov, Mos Def, Munizzi, Martha, Murphy, Walter, Nelson, Willie, Neptunes, The, Nickelback, Orishas, Palmieri, Eddie, Prine, John, Queens of the Stone Age, Rascal Flatts, Redman, Joshua, Rollins, Sonny, Seal, Shakira, Shorter, Wayne, Souza, Luciana, Sturr, Jimmy, Sugarland, System of a Down, Turtle Island String Quartet, Urban, Keith, Vega, Louie, Vincent, Rhonda, West, Kanye, White Stripes, The, Williams, John, Wilson, Brian, Winans, Bebe, Winans, CeCe, Winter, Paul, Yazbek, David, Ying Yang Twins 48th Annual Grammy Awards with eight nods each when contenders were announced at a star-studded press conference held December 8 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Their three-way tie pushed the total number of BMI-nominated songwriters and artists to an astounding 70% in the general fields.

Mariah Carey	Kanye West	John Legend

Mariah Carey's multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, and its smash single "We Belong Together," helped the pop singer score three of the most coveted Grammy nominations: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The hit ballad also picked up mentions for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while Mimi added Best Contemporary R&B Album to Carey's haul.

Presenters for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards nominations included BMI songwriter/artists John Legend, CeCe Winans, Mariah Carey, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Patti LaBelle. Photo by S. Lovekin/WireImage

Rapper Kanye West continued his red hot streak, also earning nominations in the Album and Record of the Year categories with his sophomore release Late Registration and the hit "Gold Digger," respectively. He will compete against himself for the Album of the Year title as a producer on Carey's disc. As a songwriter, West will battle for the Best Rap Song crown with his "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," as well as Best R&B Song as a co-writer on the Alicia Keys track "Unbreakable."

Black Eyed Peas	Brooks & Dunn

Soul singer John Legend is up for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album for his debut Get Lifted, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Song of the Year for "Ordinary People," which he also co-wrote. Legend joins his mentor Kanye West and rapper Common on the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ticket with "They Say."

Casting Crowns	Common

Coming in with six nominations was Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas who, as a songwriter, has a shot at Song of the Year and Best R&B Song as co-writer of Legend's "Ordinary People" and Best Rap Song for the Peas' hit "Don't Phunk with My Heart." The band is also up for Best Rap and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Death Cab for Cutie	Foo Fighters

In addition to Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Common earned three other mentions, including Best Rap Album for Be. Four nods also went to Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Billy Childs and BMI producer/songwriters the Neptunes, who have production credits on two Album of the Year nominees -- Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi and Gwen Stefani's Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

The Game	Gorillaz	John Williams

Earning three nominations apiece were Sheryl Crow, with Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Good is Good"), Best Pop Vocal Album (Wildflower) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the single "Building Bridges," featuring Brooks & Dunn and Vince Gill; Eminem (Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album); and film composer John Williams, up for Best Score for Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, as well as for Best Instrumental Composition for both "Anakin's Betrayal" (from Revenge of the Sith) and "The Ferry Scene" (from the War of the Worlds soundtrack).

Maroon 5	Norah Jones	Sheryl Crow

Double nominees included rappers The Game and T.I., songwriter Marcus Hummon, singer Norah Jones and gospel diva CeCe Winans.

Other BMI songwriters and artists collecting Grammy nominations were Christina Aguilera, Dallas Austin, Casting Crowns, Eric Clapton (PRS), Death Cab for Cutie, Paquito D'Rivera, Danny Elfman, Fall Out Boy, Osvaldo Golijov, Dave Holland Big Band, Intocable, Keane (PRS), Maroon 5, Sugarland, Ying Yang Twins, and BMI Icons Charlie Daniels and Brian Wilson.

Sugarland		T.I.

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 8.

BMI's 2006 Grammy Award Nominees:

8 NOMINATIONS
Mariah Carey
John Legend
Kanye West

6 NOMINATIONS
William Adams

4 NOMINATIONS
Billy Childs
Common
Foo Fighters
Gorillaz (PRS)
The Neptunes

3 NOMINATIONS
Yolanda Adams
The Black Eyed Peas
Sheryl Crow
De La Soul
Eminem
Herbie Hancock
Faith Hill
Alison Krauss & Union Station
John Williams

2 NOMINATIONS
Bobby Boyd
Brooks & Dunn
Andrew Coleman
Andrew Dawson
Dixie Chicks
The Game
Michael Giacchino
Jeff Hanna
Marcus Hummon
Norah Jones
Delbert McClinton
Donnie McClurkin
Joel Moss
Willie Nelson
Al Schmitt
Fat Man Scoop
T.I.
The White Stripes
CeCe Winans

MORE NOMINEES
Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O'Farrill
Christina Aguilera
Trey Anastasio
Audio Adrenaline
Audioslave
John August
Dallas Austin
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Marcia Ball
Ray Barretto
Steve Berkowitz
Big & Rich
Terence Blanchard
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Blue Highway
Printz Board
William Bolcom
Peter Boyer
Solomon Burke
Burning Spear (PRS)
Sam Bush
Gary Calamar
Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels Orishas (SACEM)
Kurt Carr
Casting Crowns
Christopher Cerf
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cherryholmes
The Chieftains (IMRO)
Willy Chirino
Eric Clapton (PRS)
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Conjunto Progreso
Ry Cooder
Stewart Copeland
The Crabb Family
Robert Cray
Bill Cunliffe
Rivers Cuomo
Daft Punk (PRS)
Charlie Daniels
Day of Fire
Death Cab for Cutie
Deep Dish
Mos Def
Jack De Johnette
The Del McCoury Band
Ani DiFranco
Jerry Douglas
Dave Douglas
Paquito D'Rivera
John Du Prez (PRS)
Jerry Duplessis
Nokie Edwards
Danny Elfman
Ahmet Ertegun
Bill Evans
Fall Out Boy
Sammy Figueroa
Béla Fleck
Floetry
David Foster
Jamie Foxx
Aretha Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Carlos Franzetti
Larry Gatlin
Joachim Garraud (SACEM)
Gilberto Gil
Vince Gill
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Osvaldo Golijov
The Grascals
Grits
Buddy Guy
Merle Haggard
John Hammond
Raiatea Helm
Dave Holland Big Band
Israel Houghton
Van Hunt
Eric Idle (PRS)
Intocable
Jamiroquai (PRS)
Jars of Clay
The Jazz Chamber Trio
Rodney Jerkins
Eric Johnson
George Jones
The Jordanaires
Ledward Ka'apana
Keane (PRS)
John P. Kee
Garison Keillor
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
B.B. King
Kitaro
Kraftwerk (GEMA)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (SAMRO)
Las 3 Divas
La Secta Allstar
The Last Poets
La Tropa F
Donald Lawrence
Ricky Lewis
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lil Wayne
Harold Lily
Aaron Lindsey
Linkin Park
Little Joe
Los Lonely Boys
Los Pleneros de la 21
Andre Lyon
Maroon 5
Joeworn Martin
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Vicky McGehee
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Meat Beat Manifesto
Pat Metheny Group
Luis Miguel
Mingus Big Band
Ministry
Keb Mo
Molotov
Rick Moranis (SOCAN)
Mudvayne
Martha Munizzi
Walter Murphy
Meshell Ndegeocello
North Mississippi Allstars
The Oak Ridge Boys
Claus Ogerman (GEMA)
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
George Pajon, Jr.
Eddie Palmieri
John Prine
Queens of the Stone Age
Rascal Flatts
Joshua Redman Elastic Band
Sonny Rollins
The Royal Jesters
Eddie Santiago
Marvin Sapp
Seal (PRS)
José Serebrier
Shakira
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Ron Sluga
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Sugarland
Tierney Sutton
System of a Down
Ali Farka Touré (BUMDA)
Tiempo Libre
Turtle Island String Quartet
Keith Urban
Bebo Valdés
Marcello Valenzano
Louie Vega
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Brian Wilson
BeBe Winans
George Winston
Paul Winter Consort
Hugh Wolff
David Yazbek
Ying Yang Twins

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