Pictured (l-r): BMI's John Cody and Fred Cannon, Chuck Blackburn, Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

Honored guests included Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), a staunch supporter for music education; Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), a protector of intellectual property; and Grammy-winning artist/producer Quincy Jones. In addition, the Academy bestowed the Chesnee High School of Chesnee, South Carolina with the Grammy Foundation Signature School Award for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Pictured (l-r): Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), BMI's John Cody, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), BMI's Fred Cannon.

BMI songwriter/artists Chuck Brown, BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans were among the performers taking part in a musical salute to the honorees.

Pictured (l-r): Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), BMI's Fred Cannon and John Cody , the Smithsonian's John Hesse, BMI's Robbin Ahrold and Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC).

“BMI is proud to partner with the Recording Academy each year in honoring lawmakers for their efforts in supporting the music community,” noted Fred Cannon, BMI Senior Vice President, Government Relations. “Their support is vital in helping our industry enrich both the cultural and economic climates in the United States and abroad.”

Pictured (l-r): The Songwriters Guild's Rick Carnes, BMI's John Cody, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Victoria Reggie Kennedy and BMI's Fred Cannon.

BMI staged its 55th Annual Pop Awards on May 15, honoring the Bee Gees as Pop Icons; Kara DioGuardi and Sean Garrett as Songwriters of the Year; “Because of You” as Song of the Year; and Warner/Chappell Music as Publisher of the Year. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President/General Manager, Los Angeles, Barbara Cane and held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, the black-tie, invitation-only dinner recognized the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most performed pop songs from BMI’s catalog of more than 6.5 million compositions.

BMI Pop Awards Song List

A highlight of the ceremony was the musical tribute to legendary singing trio the Bee Gees. The brothers Gibb were honored as BMI Icons for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Accepting the awards were Barry and Robin Gibb, and Yvonne Gibb, wife of the late Maurice Gibb. The tribute saw American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee perform “Immortality,” Bebe Winans singing a medley of “Nights on Broadway” and “How Deep Is Your Love” and Kelly Rowland performing “Emotion.” The musical partnership of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb has produced some of the most timeless songs ever written, including “Night Fever,” “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” “Staying Alive,” “I Started a Joke,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Jive Talkin,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “Run To Me.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees signature three-part harmony has endured for more than four decades, and with this award they join an elite list of previous BMI Icons that includes Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Dolly Parton and Carlos Santana.

Kara DioGuardi and Sean Garrett tied for the coveted BMI Songwriter of the Year title, placing three songs each in the most performed list of 50. The trio of tracks earning DioGuardi her first Songwriter of the Year Crystal includes “Real Thing” (Bo Bice),“Walk Away” (Kelly Clarkson) and “I’m Feeling You” (Santana featuring The Wreckers). Tonight marked her seventh BMI award; she received a BMI Latin Award in March. Garrett picked up his first Pop Songwriter of the Year Crystal for penning “Run It!” (Chris Brown), “Check On It” (Beyoncé featuring Slim Thug) and “Grillz” (Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp). Garrett now holds 12 BMI Awards in both the Pop and Urban categories, including being named one of the BMI Top 10 Urban Producers at last year’s honors.

“Because of You,” co-written by BMI songwriters Ben Moody and David Hodges, along with Kelly Clarkson, and published by 12:06 Publishing, Smellslikemetal Publishing, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. and Dwight Frye Music, Inc., was named BMI Pop Song of the Year for scoring the most airplay of any song on the most-performed list during the award period. “Because of You” earned the trio a huge top ten Billboard Hot 100 hit and the #1 spot on Top 40 radio, where it spent six weeks at the peak position, and was included on Clarkson’s second release, Breakaway.

Warner/Chappell Music (Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. & Unichappell Music, Inc) claimed its BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize with 11 songs on the top 50 list and the highest percentage of copyright ownership of this year’s awards. Warner/Chappell Music CEO Dave Johnson accepted the company’s 13th BMI Pop Publisher of the Year Crystal.

BMI also recognized the performance achievements of two other songs: “Miss Murder,” which earned Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for AFI’s Hunter Burgan, Adam Carson, Davey Havok, Jade Puget and Ex Noctem Nacimur Music (publishers); and “You’re Beautiful,” BMI’s Internet Song of the Year award for songwriters James Blunt (PRS), Amanda Ghost (PRS), Sacha Skarbek (PRS), and David Platz Music, Inc., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc., for tallying the most hits on BMI-licensed web sites during the award period.

Taking home two BMI Pop Awards each were Fall Out Boy’s Andrew Hurley, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Pete Wentz; Mariah Carey; Ne-Yo; and Nickelback members Daniel Adair, Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger and Ryan Peake (all SOCAN). Publishing companies EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing (Irving Music/Songs of Universal, Inc./Universal-Songs of Polygram International, Inc.), BMG Music Group (Killer Tracks/Zomba Songs), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, K’Stuff Publishing, Chicago X Softcore Songs, Rye Songs, and Super Sayin’ Publishing were each cited for multiple award-winning songs.

The BMI Foundation’s 10th Annual John Lennon Scholarship was presented to 21-year-old Berklee College of Music student Emily Shackelton. A native of Northern Minnesota, she was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for her song “Goodbye” by the Foundation. Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation and matched by generous donations from Gibson Musical Instruments, the John Lennon Scholarship program recognizes the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24.

High-resolution photos will be available on May 16 at press.bmi.com. To request access, please contact mediarelations@bmi.com.

The film's soundtrack includes multiple tracks by Keith himself and contributions from such premier BMI artists as country legend Willie Nelson, duo Rushlow Harris, gospel singer Bebe Winans, and songwriting pacesetters Sonya Isaacs, Martraca Berg and Scotty Emerick. The album will be released Aug. 29 on Keith's own Show Dog Nashville label, home to Rushlow Harris and his Broken Bridges co-star Lindsey Haun, as well as his latest effort, White Trash With Money.

Keith's "Hookin' Up and Hangin' Out" Tour kicks off Aug. 11 in Cleveland, and his latest single, "It's A Little Too Late," recently hit No. 1.

Aaron Sprinkle	Relient K	Ed Cash

Singer/songwriter/producer Aaron Sprinkle was showered with the most praise, earning eight nominations for his work with artists in a variety of categories, including pop/contemporary, rap/hip-hop and worship. Three of his nominations are for CD compilations that will compete for Special Event Album of the Year, including Happy Christmas Volume Four, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and WoW Christmas Green.

Casting Crowns	Steven Curtis Chapman

Pop-punk outfit Relient K came in with six nods, earning two for "Be My Escape," two for their album Mmhmm, and two as contributing artists on a pair of Special Event Album nominees.

Earning five nominations apiece were Christian rock band Casting Crowns, who will vie for Group and Artist of the Year; alt-rock group Switchfoot, whose Nothing Is Sound is up for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year; and 2005's Producer of the Year Ed Cash, who hopes for a repeat win in that category.

Crabb Family	Jars of Clay	Wayne Haun

Southern gospel veterans the Crabb Family also took home five GMA nominations, with individual family members Gerald, Jason, Adam and Aaron each earning their own multiple nods.

Casting Crowns' lead singer Mark Hall picked up a total of four solo mentions, including two Song of the Year nominations for the hits "Lifesong" and "Voice of Truth." Pop/rock quartet Jars of Clay, producer Wayne Haun and Relient K frontman Matthew Theissen rounded out the quadruple nominees list.

CeCe Winans	Toby McKeehan	Switchfoot

BMI award-winning artist/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, who has collected 49 Dove Awards to date -- more than any other artist in gospel music history -- has a chance to pass the 50-trophy mark this year if any of his three nominations results in win.

Also earning triple nominations were 13-time GMA Award winner Lari Goss, gospel producer Sanchez Harley and church group Israel & New Breed; leader Israel Houghton is up for five of his own GMAs.

Other BMI nominees included double earners Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Vince Gill, Grits, Kids In The Way, Dave Moody, tobyMac (Toby McKeehan) and CeCe Winans, as well as Yolanda Adams, Blind Boys of Alabama, Building 429, Fred Hammond, Rodney Jerkins, Lewis Family, Donnie McClurkin, Martha Munizzi, Dottie Peoples and George Teren, who is also up for a 2006 ACM Award.

Songwriter of the Year contenders will be revealed, along with the winner, at the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards ceremony, to be hosted by 2006 Dove nominees Rebecca St. James and Kirk Franklin. The recorded show will be televised in national syndication from April 15 to May 21.

Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognize achievement in all genres of gospel music and are voted on by members of the GMA.

BMI's 2006 GMA Awards Nominees:

8 Nominations
Aaron Sprinkle

6 Nominations
Relient K

5 Nominations
Ed Cash
Casting Crowns
The Crabb Family
Israel Houghton
Aaron W. Lindsey
Otto Price
Switchfoot

4 Nominations
Mark Hall
Dan Haseltine
Wayne Haun
Jars of Clay
Charlie Lowell
Steve Mason
Matt Odmark
Matthew Theissen

3 Nominations
Steven Curtis Chapman
Jason Crabb
Lari Goss
Sanchez Harley
Israel & New Breed

2 Nominations
Alletrope Music
Kelly Bowling
Kurt Carr
Teron Carter
Club Zoo Music
Gerald Crabb
Adam Crabb
Aaron Crabb
Christopher Davis
Dizmas
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Jerome Fontamillas
Vince Gill
Percy Gray, Jr.
Grits
Stacy Jones
Mat Kearney
Kids In The Way
Ay'Ron Lewis
Dave Moody
NewSong
Ric Robbins
Rebecca St. James
SWECS Music
tobyMac (Toby McKeehan)
CeCe Winans

Other Nominees
Yolanda Adams
Duane Allen
Paul Allen
Rev. F.C. Barnes
Luther Barnes
Blind Boys of Alabama
Ronald Block
Kevin Bond
Paul Boutte
Damon Bracy
Brian Free & Assurance
Building 429
Kyle Bynoe
Marc Byrd
Champions for Christ Publishing
Dean Chance
John Chelew
Stan Dailey
Alvin Darling
Daywind Music Group
Hector Diaz
Chris Eaton
Kirk Franklin
Aaron Gillespie
Rob Graves
Kenny Greenberg
Greenberg Music
Fred Hammond
Tom Hemby
Rick Hendrix
George Huff
Steve Huff
Integrity's Praise! Music
Rodney Jerkins
Lee Jerkins
Fred Jerkins III
Don Koch
Jean-Luc Lajoie
Shawn Lane
Frank Lenz
Lewis Family
Robert Marvin
Donnie McClurkin
Annie McRae
McRaes
Nelson McSwain
Meaux Mercy
The Mighty Clouds of Joy
Buck Moore
Martha Munizzi
Michael Neale
Peach Hill Songs
Aaron Pearce
Dottie Peoples
Rizen
Roger Ryan
Carolyn Sanders
Belinda Smith
Sparrow Song
Spinning Audio Vortex
Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley II
Derrick Starks
Christopher Stevens
Marty Stuart
George Teren
Rev. Gerald Thompson
Anthony Vero
Reed Vertelney
Tommy Walker
Fred Washington
Mark Whitehead
BeBe Winans
Marcos Witt

Pictured on stage are Pastor Marvin Winans, Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Shirley Miller, BMI's Catherine Brewton, Feddie Hawkins, Bishop Paul Morton, Deborah Morton, BMI's Thomas Cain, BeBe Winans and BMI's Wardell Malloy. Photo by DRE Photography

Hosted by BMI's Catherine Brewton, the gala luncheon was attended by Kurt Carr, DeNetria Champ, Damita and Deitrick Haddon, Rodney Jerkins, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, Mary, Mary, Smokey Norful, Donnie McClurkin, Albertina Walker, Tye Tribett, Byron Cage, Karen Clark-Cole, William Murphy, Myron Butler, Juan Winans and Marvin Winans, Jr. The audience was treated to transcendent performances by BeBe Winans, Marvin Winans, Kim Burrell, Micah Stampley and Dorinda Clark-Cole, who interpreted classic selections from the Hawkins and Morton repertoires.

BeBe Winans, Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers, Walter Hawkins, Joel Smith, Daniel Hawkins, Donnie McClurkin, Lynette Hawkins, Carol Hawkins, Pastor Marvin Winans Sr., Feddie Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Lil iROCC, Tramaine Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, Marvin Winans, Jr., BMI's Catherine Brewton, Damita Haddon, Karima from Virtue. Photo by DRE Photography

A trailblazing force behind the evolution of the contemporary gospel sound, singer and choir director Edwin Hawkins is best known for the 1969 classic "Oh Happy Day," one of the biggest gospel hits of all time that was also a major pop radio hit. He and his younger brother, Bishop Walter Hawkins, leader of the Love Center Choir and a recent Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee, have been making memorable gospel music both together and as solo artists for more than four decades. With two Dove Awards, multiple Grammy Awards and nominations, numerous Stellar Awards, a host of multi-million-selling albums and several chart-topping songs, the music of the Hawkins Family remains an integral part of today's gospel movement.

Edwin Hawkins, Dorinda Clark-Carter, Carol Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins and Bishop Paul Morton gather on stage for a musical tribute to the Hawkins Family. Photo by Kay Clary

Bishop Paul S. Morton has led the New Orleans-based Greater St. Stephen Baptist Church since the 70s, building its congregation to more than 20,000 with three locations and the creation of many groundbreaking community outreach and support ministries. A native of Canada, he is an author, recording artist and recognized leader in the secular business community. He hosts and produces a daily radio and weekly television program, which air in several markets nationwide, including on Dream Television Network, Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Word Network.

Past BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music include Rance Allen, Pastor John P. Kee, Kurt Carr, Take 6, Teresa Hairston, Cissy Houston and the Clark Sisters.

The 21st Annual Stellar Awards took place the day after the Trailblazers Luncheon on January 21, 2006, returning to Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House. Considered the premier gospel event, nominations are received and voted on by the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy (SAGMA), made up of members who encourage and promote gospel music worldwide.

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

Mark Hall	Switchfoot

San Diego alt-rockers Switchfoot were another of the night's big winners, taking four Dove statuettes including Artist of the Year. The Crabb Family also notched four awards including Southern Gospel Album, with patriarch Gerald Crabb collecting three as writer of "He Came Looking for Me," "Forever" and "Through the Fire."

Casting Crowns

Earning double mentions were Israel & New Breed, Ed Cash, Steven Curtis Chapman, Aaron Lindsey and Toby McKeehan.

The Crabb Family	Gerald Crabb

Hosted by a slate of stars including Chapman, CeCe Winans, Rebecca St. James and Israel Houghton, the awards show will be televised in national syndication through network affiliates and independent stations.

BMI's 2005 GMA Award winners:

Song of the Year
"Who Am I?"
Mark Hall, songwriter; Club Zoo Music, SWECS Music

Songwriter of the Year
Mark Hall

Artist of the Year
Switchfoot

Israel & New Breed	Ed Cash

Steven Curtis Chapman	Building 429

Aaron Lindsey	Day of Fire

tobyMac	Grits

Dave Moody	The Isaacs

Israel Houghton	The Lewis Family

Casting Crowns	Gerald Crabb	Israel Houghton

Casting Crowns reeled in the most nominations with seven, including Group, Artist, and Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song ("American Dream"), Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song ("Who Am I?") and Long Form Music Video ("Live From Atlanta"). Claiming six nods is the group's lead singer-songwriter, Mark Hall, who is up for Male Vocalist and Song of the Year trophies for "Who Am I?".

Jim Cooper	Jason Roy	Matt Bronleewe

The Crabb Family also garnered a total of six nominations including Group and Southern Gospel Album, while the group's patriarch, Gerald Crabb, earned a Song of the Year mention ("Through the Fire"), plus five more songwriting nods in categories spanning country, inspirational and southern gospel.

Brendan Graham	Wayne Haun	Otto Price

Additional Song of the Year contenders include Israel Houghton of Israel & New Breed ("Friend of God"), Brendan Graham ("You Raise Me Up"), Kenny Greenberg ("More"), Matt Bronleewe ("Healing Rain"), and Jason Roy and Jim Cooper ("Glory Defined"). Other BMI-affiliated Dove nominees include Rodney Jerkins, Switchfoot, Dottie Peoples, Building 429, Hector Cervantes, Grits, the Talley Trio, Martha Munizzi and last year's top Dove nominee Wayne Haun.

Steven Curtis Chapman	Fred Hammond	Martha Munizzi

The GMA Music Awards will begin at 6pm on Wednesday, April 13 with a new format for 2005 -- awards and performances will share the limelight throughout the evening. Steven Curtis Chapman, Cece Winans, Rebecca St. James and Israel Houghton are among those set to host this year's festivities, which will be taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville for national syndication during the month of June.

Day of Fire	Kim Hill	Dottie Peoples

Song of the Year Nominees:

"Friend of God"
Israel Houghton
Champions for Christ Music Publishing
Integrity's Praise! Music
Sound of the New Breed

"Glory Defined"
Jim Cooper
Jason Roy
Dayspring Music

"Healing Rain"
Matt Bronleewe
Songs From the Farm Publishing
Songs of Windswept Pacific

"More"
Kenny Greenberg
Greenberg Music

"Through the Fire"
Gerald Crabb
Lehsem Songs

"Who Am I"
Mark Hall
Club Zoo Music
SWECS Music

"You Raise Me Up"
Brendan Graham (IMRO)
Peermusic (Ireland), Ltd.

Seven Nominations
Casting Crowns

Six Nominations
Gerald Crabb
The Crabb Family
Mark Hall

Five Nominations
Matt Bronleewe
Wayne Haun
Israel Houghton
Otto Price
Switchfoot

Four Nominations
Steven Curtis Chapman
Fred Hammond
Martha Munizzi
Joe Pace

Three Nominations
Paul Allen
Mike Bowling
Building 429
Ed Cash
Hector Cervantes
Jim Cooper
Jason Crabb
Day of Fire
Kenny Greenberg
Grits
Toby McKeehan
Pillar
Thousand Foot Crutch
Bebe Winans

Two Nominations
Bobby All
Josiah Bell
Kene Bell
Myron Butler
Teron Carter
Barry D.
delerious?
Paul Ebersold
Michael English
Lari Goss
Brendan Graham
Chris Huffman
The Isaacs
Jars of Clay
Rodney Jerkins
Stacy Jones
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Lewis Family
Aaron Lindsey
Lisa McClendon
Trevor McNevan
The Oak Ridge Boys
Charlie Peacock
Club Zoo Music
CrossWay
Steve Moore
J Moss
Israel & New Breed
Dave Moody
Dottie Peoples
The Perrys
Jason Roy
Martin Smith
Songs From the Farm Publishing
Taylor Sorensen
Aaron Sprinkle
Angie Stone
SWECS Music

Single Nominees
Yolanda Adams
Audio Adrenaline
Alejandro Allen
Duane Allen
Steve Augustine
Percy Bady
Joe Baldridge
Cindy Ballard
Joe Beck
Barry Beckett
Rob Beckley
Big Tent Revival
Big Dismal
Kevin Bond
Joe Bonsall
Kelly Bowling
Rebecca Isaacs Bowman
Clint Brown
Gavin Brown
Joel Bruyere
Billy Buchanan
Marc Byrd
Cedric Caldwell
Eulises Canada
Champions for Christ Music Publishing
Chigger Hill Boys & Terri
Aaron Crabb
Ryan Clark
Don Cook
Adam Crabb
Billy Ray Cyrus
Dayspring Music
Christine Dente
Scott Dente
Darryl Dixon
Jeff & Sherri Easter
Lester Estelle
Sara Evans
Kirk Franklin
Stuart Garrard
Terri Argot Gore
Greater Vision
Brian Green
Greenberg Music
George Hamilton IV with the Moody Brothers
Dan Haseltine
Patti Hawkins
Hawk Nelson
Maurice Henderson
Noah Henson
Bob Herdman
Kim Hill
Gregg Hionis
Stephen Hurd
Integrity's Praise! Music
Sonya Isaacs
Mahalia Jackson
Fred Jerkins
Stan Jones
Kalel
Wayne Kirkpatrick
Jennifer Knapp
Rodney Lay, Jr.
Lehsem Songs
Lifegate Music
Michael Linney
Charlie Lowell
Joyce Martin McCullough
Robert Marvin
Stephen Mason
Donnie McClurkin
Nelson McSwain
Mark A. Miller
Gordon Mote
Dan Munizzi
Newsboys
Matt Odmark
Erin O'Donnell
Solomon Olds
Michael Parker
Sandi Patty
Rebecca J. Peck
PeerMusic III
Peermusic (Ireland), Ltd.
Pettiodee
Praise Street Worship Band
The Principles
Andrew Ramsey
Ric Robbins
George Rowe
Shannon Sanders
Skillet
Donna Smith
Matthew Smith
Songs of Windswept Pacific
Sound of the New Breed
Scott Stapp
Christopher Stevens
Rebecca St. James
Kevin Stokes
Mark Stuart
Marty Stuart
Jerry Sullivan
Mooki Taylor
Jon Thatcher
Linda Thompson
Tait
Michael Tait
Talley Trio
Troy Vest
Asaph Ward
Earl Wright III
Paul Wright
Young Harmony

BMI will present the first in a series of educational seminars on Wednesday, July 28 from Guitar Center's Manhattan store (25 W. 14th St.). This unique event entitled "Career Connection," starts at 7:00pm and is free and open to the public. Speakers include two of the music industry's most successful executives, Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Jason Flom and EMI Music Publishing Executive Vice President Evan Lamberg, who will discuss the new realities for artists and songwriters in the digital music age. BMI's Charlie Feldman, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations in New York, will moderate.

The seminar will be webcast live exclusively on Songwriter101.com, a new website that focuses on the business side of songwriting. Topics include getting the attention of a "major" in an era of smaller artist rosters; artist development in the digital age and the new dynamic of radio, TV and the web; and the re-emergence of the songwriter/artist career path. Future BMI/Guitar Center seminars will feature top artists, managers, agents, producers and executives from around the industry.

Jason Flom is Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records Group. He served as President of Lava Records, the label he founded within Atlantic Records, from 1995 to 2004. He has worked with and signed such multimillion-selling artists as Tori Amos, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, matchbox twenty, Sugar Ray, The Corrs, Stone Temple Pilots, Collective Soul, Twisted Sister, Skid Row and White Lion.

Evan Lamberg has held various creative manager positions at Jobete Music, MCA Music Publishing, and EMI Music Publishing, where he now serves as Executive Vice President. He works with and has signed such artists and songwriters as Rob Thomas (matchbox twenty), Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers), Hootie & the Blowfish, Pharrell Williams (The Neptunes), Jessica Simpson, Kelis, BeBe Winans, Ludacris, Pink, Paula Abdul, Jewel and John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls).

Charlie Feldman is Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, where he directs all writer/publisher relations and administrative activities for the company's New York office. A board member of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Feldman has worked closely with songwriter/artists such as R. Kelly, Carole King, the Neville Brothers, Full Force, Tony Joe White and emerging star Katie Melua.

Dorinda Clark Cole

Kirk Franklin

Smokie Norful

Yolanda Adams

The highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of a BMI Trailblazers Award to Delores and David Winans, known to many as Mom & Pop Winans. Special guest Mrs. Coretta Scott King made the presentation to the Winanses and spoke of their 50 years of contributions to gospel music.

BMI's Catherine Brewton, Pop Winans, Coretta Scott King, Mom Winans, BMI's Thomas Cain

Performers included BeBe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon, Richard Smallwood and nearly two dozen members of the Winans family.

Melvin Williams, Mom Winans, Darwin Hobbs and Pop Winans

At the Stellar Awards, BMI songwriters and artists celebrated a near sweep of the trophies. Kirk Franklin claimed five awards, including Song of the Year ("Hosanna") and both Artist and Producer of the Year honors. Newcomer Smokie Norful claimed three golden-flamed statues, including top Male Vocalist. Yolanda Adams, Dorinda Clark Cole and The Canton Spirituals collected two awards each. Adams also was inducted to the Stellar Awards Hall of Fame during a presentation by actor Chris Tucker and Kirk Franklin.

Deitrick Haddon, Melvin Williams and Ronald Winans

Max and Jennifer Siegel and BMI's Thomas Cain

Darwin Hobbs, Teresa Hairston and Richard Smallwood

(standing) BMI's Catherine Brewton, Carvin Winans, Cece Winans, Bebe Winans, Juan Winans, Angie Winans, Cedric Caldwell and BMI's Thomas Cain (seated) Ronald Winans, Pastor Marvin Winans, Mom & Pop Winans

Daryl Coley, Dottie Peoples, BMI's Thomas Cain, Deitrick & Damita Haddon and Duane Turnage

Carvin Winans, Virtue's Ebony Trotter Holland, Juan Winans, Virtue's Heather Trotter and Karima Trotter Kibble, BeBe Winans, BMI's Catherine Brewton

Prymary Colorz's Raj Nichols and Josh Royals, LaShawn Daniels, Freddie Jerkins, Prymary Colorz's Marcus Dilley and Jonathan Thomas

photos by Shelia Turner

Congratulations to BMI's Stellar Award winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin

SONG OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin -- "Hosanna"

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Smokie Norful

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dorinda Clark Cole

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Smokie Norful

CD OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin -- The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
The Canton Spirituals

CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Smokie Norful

TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Marvin Sapp

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Yolanda Adams

TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dorinda Clark Cole

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
Richard Smallwood with Vision -- Persuaded: Live In D.C.

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
Yolanda Adams -- Believe

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kirk Franklin -- "Hosanna"

TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Richard Smallwood with Vision -- Persuaded: Live In D.C.

SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
The Commissioned Reunion -- The Commissioned Reunion Live

QUARTET OF THE YEAR
The Canton Spirituals]]> 2003-02-06T17:00:01-05:00