8.12 | 4 to 5:30 pm @ Salon D at the Sheraton “See A Penny, Pick it Up: How Performing Rights Societies Collect and Distribute YOUR Money” panel Panel Member: Erica Tompkins (BMI’s Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, New York)

8.13 | 12 to 1:30 pm @ Salon D&E BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” panel Moderated by BMI’s Senior Director, Media Relations, New York, JW Johnson and featuring, among others, Octone recording artist Michael Tolcher, Motown recording artist Kem and Kedar Entertainment Group recording artist Algebra

8.13 | 2 to 3:30 pm @ Salon E Introduction to the Latino Music Industry, Latin Sol at Underground panel Panel Member: BMI’s Assistant Vice President, Latin Music, Diane J. Almodovar, along with as moderator Leila Cobo, Latin Music Editor, Billboard Magazine; Jose Tillán, VP of Music and Talent, MTV Latin America; John Echevarría, President, Universal Music Latino; Gerardo Vergara, Director of Marketing, Univisión Music Group; and Gustavo Arenas, CEO, Arena Fina Music Productions

8.13 | 4 to 5:30 pm @ Salon B Women’s Panel: Crazy, Sexy, Cool! Panel Member: BMI’s Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, along with Jive recording artist Rasheeda, T-Boz from multi-platinum recording group TLC and Miss B.

For more info: http://atlantismusic.com/]]> 2005-08-10T22:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234506 Artists, Algebra, Los Lonely Boys, Maroon 5, Sugarland, Tolcher, Michael, Musical Styles, Latin, Rock, Urban BMI is proud to once again sponsor the Atlantis Music Conference & Festival being held August 10-13 at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in downtown Atlanta, GA. BMI will present a broad array of events during the three-day conference, including an artist showcase, a private VIP cocktail reception, and several informative panels featuring BMI executives.

Catherine Brewton Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations	Diane J. Almodovar Assistant Vice President, Latin Music

The "BMI Presents..." showcase will be held Friday, August 12 at the Hard Rock Café (215 Peachtree Street NE) featuring some of the South East's most captivating and unique songwriters in the urban genre. The line-up includes BMI artists Female at 8pm, Britany at 8:15pm, Ignysh'n at 8:30pm, Kalena at 8:45pm, Pricilla Jones at 9pm, Caleb at 9:15pm, ProBono Records recording artist and Atlanta-based soul singer/songwriter Nessa Morgan at 9:40pm, Free Sol at 10:10pm and Kedar Entertainment Group recording artist Algebra at 10:40pm.

J.W. Johnson Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations	Erica Tompkins Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations

Also being held on Friday, August 12 is the "See A Penny, Pick it Up: How Performing Rights Societies Collect and Distribute YOUR Money" panel featuring BMI's Erica Tompkins, Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, New York. The panel will take place in Salon D at the Sheraton from 4:00pm to 5:30pm.

BMI will also co-sponsor an invitation-only VIP reception on Friday night at Smith's Old Bar (1578 Piedmont Avenue) for conference attendees.

On Saturday, August 13 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm in Salon D&E, BMI will present the "How I Wrote That Song" panel moderated by BMI's J.W. Johnson, Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, New York. Other panelists include Octone recording artist Michael Tolcher, Motown recording artist Kem, and Kedar Entertainment Group recording artist Algebra.

Also on Saturday, BMI's Diane J. Almodovar, Assistant Vice President, Latin Music, will speak on the "Introduction to the Latino Music Industry, Latin Sol at Underground" panel from 2:00pm to 3:30pm in Salon E. In addition to Almodovar, the panel will include moderator Leila Cobo, Latin Music Editor, Billboard Magazine; Jose Till�n, VP of Music and Talent, MTV Latin America; John Echevarr�a, President, Universal Music Latino; Gerardo Vergara, Director of Marketing, Univisi�n Music Group; and Gustavo Arenas, CEO, Arena Fina Music Productions.

Rounding out BMI's speaking slots is Catherine Brewton, BMI's Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, who will participate on the "Women's Panel: Crazy, Sexy, Cool! Female Artists of the New Millennium" from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Brewton will be joined by Jive recording artist Rasheeda, T-Boz from multi-platinum recording group TLC, and Miss B.

Of the 300 acts chosen to perform at this year's conference, 95% are unsigned, making Atlantis Music Conference & Festival one of the only events in the nation still dedicated to showcasing new artists almost exclusively. AMC+F also provides an outlet for up-and-coming acts to display their talents in front of some of today's most influential industry executives. Past showcasing artists at AMC+F include Maroon 5, John Mayer, Bone Crusher, Los Lonely Boys, Josh Joplin, The Hiss, Sugarland, Kottonmouth Kings and Trust Company, to name a few.

AMC+F, now in its eighth year, also brings music industry insiders and professionals together for 96 continuous hours of panels, parties, keynote address and more, giving every music lover -- from the novice to the seasoned professional -- a chance to network and discuss some of the issues facing the industry today.

Wes Hutchinson	David Roland	Michael Flynn

Wes Hutchinson, who is currently working on his record while living in New York City, effortlessly blends influences ranging from early Elton John to Bill Withers, from Crowded House to The Who to Pearl Jam, to create songs that are saturated with melody, intellectually honest lyrics, and music that moves with meaningful undercurrents of rock and pop.

	Listen: "Sheltering Sky" by Wes Hutchinson
	Listen: "Gina" by David Roland
	Listen: "Everything Is Exactly What It Seems" by Michael Flynn

David Roland currently calls Atlanta home, but you can hear the time he spent in New York and Miami in his music, in the anxiety drifting in and around the lyrics. Drawn to songwriting at the age of 14, he currently has a catalog of 127 songs. His latest effort,The Hum of Anxiety, features 12 tracks that echo early Bowie, Nick Cave, Scott Walker and George Harrison.

A South Carolina native, Michael Flynn's influences include Wilco, Eliott Smith, and Tom Waits. His self-released album No Disassemble features emotionally-charged songs of melodic and lyrical pop that go straight to the heart and make it burst with pent-up feelings. Michael was also named the second place winner of the 2001 BMI Foundation-sponsored John Lennon Scholarships.

The Rock Boat Concert Cruise sets sail Columbus Day weekend (October 7 - 11) and will feature BMI artists Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher, Shawn Mullins, Ingram Hill, The Clarks, Dexter Freebish, Will Hoge, David Ryan Harris, Peter Searcy, Chuck Carrier, Evenout and others.]]> 2004-09-22T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234132 Artists, Clarks, The, DeGraw, Gavin, Harris, David Ryan, Hill, Ingram, Ingram Hill, Mullins, Shawn, Searcy, Peter, Sister Hazel, Tolcher, Michael, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock The Rock Boat Washed Ashore Concert Cruise 2004 Song Contest. Sponsored by BMI, The Rock Boat is a four-day rock n' roll sea cruise to Grand Cayman, from October 7 to October 11, 2004. You could win cabin accommodations and airfare for two to Miami, Florida (departure city), as well as an opening acoustic spot on the bill aboard The Rock Boat! (terms and conditions apply - please see official Contest Rules).

Confirmed to set sail Columbus Day weekend are BMI artists Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher, Shawn Mullins, Ingram Hill, The Clarks, Dexter Freebish, Will Hoge, David Ryan Harris, Peter Searcy, Chuck Carrier, Evenout and more!

We are looking for great rock, pop and Americana songs from BMI songwriters who are serious, unsigned performers. Enter your song in The Rock Boat Washed Ashore Concert Cruise 2004 Song Contest for a chance to perform, mix and mingle with musicians, music lovers and music industry executives aboard The Rock Boat. HURRY!! All applications must be postmarked no later than August 23, 2004.

Artists welcome the chance to drift away with 2200 of their most devoted fans, joining them by the pool to enjoy games and music while soaking up the sun's rays or to enjoy the sights and sounds of Grand Cayman. Fans begin each evening with a first-class dinner alongside artists and their families before heading to several intimate concerts.

Unlike passengers on a traditional cruise, guests on The Rock Boat share a common, relatable interest: they are all loyal music lovers. After experiencing The Rock Boat, fans keep in touch long after the ship has docked back in Miami through message boards on The Rock Boat website. Here they reminisce about their past adventures on the cruise, discuss plans for their upcoming journey and even make plans to reunite in the meantime. There have even been engagements and weddings resulting from relationships made aboard The Rock Boat!

This adventure of a lifetime begins when The Rock Boat 2004 departs Miami, Florida, on Thursday, October 7 at 3:30 pm. All day on Friday, October 8, The Rock Boat will navigate the waters to arrive in Grand Cayman on Saturday, October 9. On Sunday, October 10, the high seas will be rockin' again as the ship heads back to Miami dropping anchor on Monday, October 11, 2004.

Click here for the official rules, application, and more info.]]> 2004-07-22T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/532773 Artists, Aparo, Angie, Harris, David Ryan, Mars, Charlie, Tolcher, Michael, Walker, Butch, Awards, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Urban, Regions, Atlanta, Showcase, Showcase Templated On Friday morning, April 4, 2003, twenty notable Georgia BMI affiliates- writers, artists and producers- working primarily in the genres of Urban, Rock and Pop boarded a bus in Atlanta bound for Nashville. Sponsored by Suntrust Bank and aimed at facilitating more integration and collaboration between the two diverse music scenes, the two-day trip was timed to take advantage of Tin Pan South- one of the country's premier songwriter conferences held in Nashville April 3rd- 6th. The trip itinerary included an Atlanta/Nashville Songwriters-In-The-Round at the BMI Theater, studio and Country Music Hall of Fame tours, receptions at major organizations supporting songwriters. Perhaps the highlight of the trip was a filled-to-capacity, Tin Pan South-affiliated acoustic performance at 12th & Porter by BMI artists David Ryan Harris, Angie Aparo, Butch Walker, Michael Tolcher and Charlie Mars.      

Michael Tolcher and Charlie Mars

Catherine Brewton & Justin Sias

Eric Cire

Jay Mathis (left) & Kristi Carter

Kristi Carter & Angelo

Angie Aparo & Jay Mathis

David Ryan Harris & Angie Aparo

Harold Sellers (front left) & Jones

Michael Weeman (left) and Crawford Adam

Algebra