Born in Harlem, NY on May 12, 1940, Whitfield spent his early years in Detroit, where its formidable music scene led him to a job at local label, Thelma Records. He later joined Motown Records in the early 1960s as in-house tambourine player, but was eventually responsible for quality control because of his keen ear. While at Motown, he co-wrote tunes recorded by Marvin Gaye (“I Heard It Through The Grapevine”) and the Temptations (“Papa Was A Rollin' Stone") before his departure in the mid-1970’s to start his own label, Whitfield Records.

Whitfield’s expertise lead to countless awards, including a Grammy for the soundtrack to the film Car Wash, for which he wrote the score; 43 BMI awards (26 R&B/Urban; 15 Pop and 2 TV); and his production work on the Temptations’ Cloud Nine album won them a Grammy in 1967. In 2004 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

He is survived by five children: one daughter, Irasha; sons, Norman, Michael, Johnnie and Roland.

New Jersey native Phil Bensen mixes originals with classics from Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, creating quite a stir with a booming, Motown-influenced voice. “People have come up to me and said, ‘I can’t believe you pulled it off’,” says Bensen. When people see him live they are bound to remember that voice. It’s got the timeless quality that the best Motown songs have; hearing it just seems to take you back to memories long since forgotten. Bensen recognizes that his voice will be what takes him places, but wants to make sure he’s viewed as a complete songwriter as well. “Vocally, I’ve always loved Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, and newer guys like Gavin DeGraw and Jason Mraz. I just want to always get that smooth but powerful… and believability when I sing.”

A quartet featuring bass, drums, guitar/vocals and a keyboardist who uses several different synths, Red Bank, N.J.-based A Love Like Pi plays extremely danceable electronic pop with the energy and attack of punk rock. Lead singer Lief explodes all over the stage with a contagious emotive force, and their self-titled three song EP does a commendable job of capturing that energy. It’s a fantastic progressive, electronic-tinged emo debut that will undoubtedly turn many heads; they’ll soon be giving the Yeah Yeah Yeahs a run for their money.

Stab the Matador was formed in 2005 during their high school senior year by Luke Brandfon (guitar), Graham Watson (drums), Corey Cavagnolo (vocals, keyboard), and James DeVito (bass). Jumpstarted with a clear ambition to create energetic rock with an affinity for infectious dance beats, the Westchester, N.Y., quartet dedicated all their time to writing, rehearsing and performing. They are described as a band that “clutches that human desire to just go crazy and dance.” Since debuting at the Knitting Factory in NYC in early 2006, the band has performed with such groups as Snowden, Under the Influence of Giants, ImaRobot and Matchbook Romance, and have been compared to pioneering artists such as Gang of Four and Joy Division, as well as contemporary bands such as The Rapture and Les Savy Fav.

Indie rock trio Throne features 18-year-old singer/songwriter and bassist Derek Trafton, his brother, 15-year-old drummer Casey Trafton, and their cousin, 18-year-old guitarist/keyboardist Justin Millar. For the last five years, the band has been drawing large crowds to their shows, opening for such heavy-hitters as Green Day, Good Charlotte, Blink 182 and Sum 41. Voted “Best New Band” by the Hartford (Conn.) Advocate in 2001, Throne spent most of 2006 writing and recording in the studio with Billy Martin of Good Charlotte, who co-produced a few songs.

The 28-year-old hip-hop superstar’s ubiquitous single “Gold Digger” (featuring some Ray Charles-ish backing vocals from friend Jamie Foxx) has effortlessly topped pop, r&b, digital and ringtone charts, while sales of its accompanying album, Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam), exceeded two million in less than two months. With eight Grammy nominations and his name on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world, you’d probably think that the artist’s ego is probably as big as his bank account.

“I’m depressed,” he says.

Uh, come again?

“It’s hard when people are depending on you to have an album that’s not just good, but inspired,” he continues, referring to the out-of-the-box success of his debut album, The College Dropout, which in addition to going triple platinum, earned Grammys for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best R&B Song and launched the catchily meditative “Jesus Walks” into a million consciousnesses. “I mean, my music isn’t just music — it’s medicine. I want my songs to touch people, to give them what they need. Every time I make an album, I’m trying to make a cure for cancer, musically. That stresses me out!”

Any widespread concerns about West’s being a one-trick pony were dispelled by “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” a sweeping single that preceded Late Registration by several weeks and went to the top of the charts, pumped not only by West’s impassioned vocals but also by an ingenious utilization of Shirley Bassey’s James Bond theme, “Diamonds Are Forever.”

The pop smarts were gained from years in the production booth, delivering chart-toppers for Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Ludacris and Alicia Keys. Indeed, his production work on Jay-Z’s now-classic 2001 album The Blueprint, where he drew upon such sources as the Jackson 5, the Doors and the Temptations to put across Jay’s rhymes, made him the go-to producer in hip-hop.

That success was parlayed into a recording contract, but just as things started cooking, West was involved in a near-fatal auto accident in 2002. “I have flashbacks of what happened every day,” he says. “And anytime I hear about any accident my heart sinks in and I thank God that I’m still here. I found out how short life is and how blessed you are to be here.” The experience informed both “Through the Wire,” which he performed with his jaw still wired shut, and the triumphant “Jesus Walks.”

Flash forward to 2005, and with the help of composer/producer Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann), West has delivered an album that’s sure to lead many year-end “best of” lists. In addition to Foxx and Jay-Z, Late Registration’s guest list includes Brandy, Paul Wall, Cam’ron, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and his longtime friend and collaborator John Legend.

The result is an epic in every sense, ranging from the personal to the political, from the romantic to the off-the-wall hilarious. “Crack Music,” with its one-line hook from hip-hop icon The Game, examines the effects of drugs on the black community, as does the searing “Addiction,” wherein West wonders why it is that “everything that’s supposed to be bad makes me feel so good?” On “Bring Me Down,” Brandy lends her soulful voice to West’s cynical raps like “If you ever wanted to ever be anything, there’ll always be somebody that’ll shoot down any dream.”

On the flip side, there’s the infectiously cautionary tale that is “Gold Digger,” as well as the humorous “Drive Slow” with Wall, not to mention the breezy, harmonious confection with Levine on “Heard ‘Em Say.”

That he’s accomplished so much in such a relatively short time has, of course, worked to dispel a lot of that “depression” he speaks of. (The uproar over his Bush comments during a Hurricane Katrina benefit show didn’t hurt, either.) Of his outspokenness, West says, “People either love it or hate it. People love and hated Muhammad Ali. My grandfather loved Muhammad Ali and my grandmother hated him. But I bet you more people love and remember Muhammad Ali than less. Because he used to talk s**t – ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’ – and I think I say the same kind of things in my own statements. It’s like, you can’t please everybody, but if anybody’s got a shot, it’s me.”

Randazzo, who began his career in the Brooklyn-based band The Three Chuckles, became a mainstay of the seminal Alan Freed teenage music sagas such as "Rock, Rock, Rock," "Hey, Let's Twist," "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Mr. Rock and Roll." He made seven appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show.

He and Weinstein were co-writing new songs at the time of his death and, earlier this year, were nominated for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Randazzo is survived by his wife Shelly, four sons and three daughters. A celebration of his life is scheduled for Nov. 29 in Orlando.]]> 2003-11-23T17:00:00+00:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233748 Artists, Hall & Oates, Rundgren, Todd, Temptations, The, Wide Range, Musical Styles, Pop, Musicworld, Feature They are the best-selling duo in pop music history with nearly 30 Top 40 hits to their credit, yet Hall & Oates have always taken a dignified approach to stardom. Though they could rightfully promote themselves as pop royalty, singer/songwriters Darryl Hall and John Oates have eschewed pomposity, instead focusing their formidable energies towards creating superlative songs.

From their emergence in the early '70s to their most recent 2002 hit "Do It For Love," Hall & Oates have made a career of beating the odds. They started out as white purveyors of Philadelphia soul, a competitive situation that made them musical long-shots. Thanks to their uncanny hitmaking instincts, the duo went on to become an inescapable radio presence during the '70s and '80s. They kept a low profile during the '90s, but when the group was profiled on VH1's "Behind the Music" rockumentary series in 2002, it resulted in a greatest hits compilation featuring a new Hall & Oates track, "Do It for Love." The single, the duo's first studio recording in six years, crept to the top of the adult contemporary charts.

Responding to that unambiguous sign from fans and radio listeners, Hall & Oates repaired to the studio to create an album celebrating their pop and r&b roots. Named after the single that fueled their return, Do It For Love finds Hall & Oates churning out their signature sweet melodies, clever lyrics and deep-felt vocals on songs like "Miss DJ" and the winsome "Forever For You." On their magnificent cover of New Radical's "Someday We'll Know," the duo reunites with Todd Rundgren, producer of Hall & Oates hit '70s album, War Babies.

Introduced while attending Philadelphia's Temple University, Darryl Hall and John Oates were established professional musicians when they met in the mid-'60s. Starting out as a folk-soul act, the duo secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records and almost immediately made their presence felt. Solidifying their credibility as r&b songwriters, Hall & Oates' 1973 tune, "She's Gone," was covered by soul legend Lou Rawls and the funk-pop quintet Tavares, among others.

Moving to RCA Records in 1975, the duo heralded their arrival by starting a seemingly endless hit streak. Starting with their 1976 single "Sara Smile," Hall & Oates fired off smash after smash, including "Rich Girl," "It's A Laugh," "Kiss on My List," "Private Eyes," "I Can't Go for That," "Maneater" and countless others.

During the hitmaking streak, Darryl Hall established himself as one of pop's most expressive and versatile vocalists. The lanky singer won praise from a wide range of respected artists, collaborating or performing with former Temptations David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, Elvis Costello and King Crimson conceptualist Robert Fripp. Not to be outdone, John Oates has demonstrated impressive vocal prowess on tracks like "She's Gone" and the contemplative new tune "Someday We'll Know."

But solo excursions aside, Hall & Oates’ historic chart run has been fueled by harmony — that is, teamwork, superb songcraft and mutual respect. As their compelling new album attests, Hall & Oates still create great music 30 years after their auspicious arrival.

Sheryl Crow

Eminem

Norah Jones

Other BMI writers who received multiple nominations included four each for country darlings the Dixie Chicks, producer Arif Mardin and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger (including Record of the Year for the Nickelback smash "How You Remind Me"). Newcomer Vanessa Carlton picked up three. Fellow BMI pop divas Pink, Britney Spears and Michelle Branch garnered two nominations each, as did blues legend B.B. King, film composer Thomas Newman and gospel giant Fred Hammond.

BMI's 2003 Grammy nominees:

FIVE NOMINATIONS

Sheryl Crow
Eminem
Norah Jones

FOUR NOMINATIONS

Dixie Chicks
Chad Kroeger (SOCAN)

THREE NOMINATIONS

Vanessa Carlton
Floetry (Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart)
Arif Mardin
Pat Metheny

TWO NOMINATIONS

Michelle Branch
Michael Brecker
The Chieftains
Madukwu Chinwah
Natalie Cole
Dirty Vegas (PRS)
Foo Fighters
Carlos Franzetti
Kenny G
Pat Green
Herbie Hancock
Nellee Hooper (PRS)
B.B. King
Diana Krall (SOCAN)
Rashid Lonnie Lynn
Nappy Roots
Willie Nelson
Thomas Newman
Nickel Creek
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dolly Parton
Pink
Britney Spears
Ralph Stanley
3 Doors Down (Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson, Matt Roberts)
Doc Watson
John Williams

SINGLE NOMINEES

Aaliyah
Will Ackerman
John Adams
Christina Aguilera
Darol Anger
Audio Adrenaline
Bacilos
David Balakrishnan
Charli Baltimore
Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga
Jeff Bass
Daniel Bedingfield (PRS)
Big Tymers
Eddie Blazonczyk
The Blind Boys of Alabama
Kevin Bond
Ryan Bowser
David Bowie (PRS)
Brandy
Norman Brown
Solomon Burke
Burning Sky
R.L. Burnside
Gary Burton
Gary Calamar
Michel Camilo
Cam’Ron
The Canton Spirituals
Capleton (PRS)
Caribbean Jazz Project
Cee-Lo
Lauren Christy
The Clinch Mountain Boys
Andy Colver (PRS)
Commissioned
Common
Creed
Bill Cunliffe
The Charlie Daniels Band
Diamond Rio
Michael Doucet
Dave Douglas
Don Edwards
Danny Elfman
Enya (PRS)
Faith Evans
Tommy Flanagan
The Flaming Lips
Béla Fleck
Michael J. Fox
Allison Brewster Franzetti
The Funk Brothers
Peter Gabriel (PRS)
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Osvaldo Golijov
Gov’t Mule
Al Green
Grits
Dave Grusin
Deitrick Haddon
Fred Hammond
Roy Hargrove
Jesse Harris
Don Henley
Faith Hill
Dave Holland Big Band
David Holt
Intocable
Etta James
Jars of Clay
JaRule
Jay-Z
Maxi Jazz (PRS)
Little Joe & La Familia
Elton John (PRS)
The Jordanaires
Juanes
John P. Kee
Salif Keita (PRS)
R. Kelly
Kinky
Kitaro
Jennifer Knapp
Knoc-Turn’Al
Korn
Dave Koz
Jeff Koz
Alison Krauss
Femi Kuti (SACEM)
kd lang
Jim Lauderdale
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Don Letts (PRS)
Lonestar
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
The Light Crust Doughboys
Limi-T 21
Israel “Cachao” López
Taj Mahal
Lloyd Maines
Maraca
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Freddie McGregor (PRS)
Lee Thomas Miller
Mingus Big Band
Moby
Charlie Musselwhite
Meshell Ndegeocello
The Neptunes
Newsong
Nickelback (SOCAN)
*NSYNC
The Oak Ridge Boys
Makoto Ozone (JASRAC)
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Pharrell
Queens of the Stone Age
Busta Rhymes
Riders In the Sky
Peter Rowan
Nancy Rumbel
Nicky Ryan (PRS)
Roma Ryan (PRS)
Mingo Saldivar y Sus Tremendos Cuatro Espadas
Santana
John Santos and the Machete Ensemble
Al Schmitt
The John Scofield Band
Earl Scruggs
Wayne Shorter
Jon Sidel
Siggno
Allan Slutsky
Arthur Smith (PRS)
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Scott Spock
Ralph Stanley II
Sting (PRS)
Angie Stone
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Take Six
Susan Tedeschi
John Tesh
The Temptations
Eric Tingstad
Tobymac
Trick Pony
Kathy Troccoli
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
McCoy Tyner
Jai Uttal
Bebo Valdés
Carlos “Patato” Valdés
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Scott Wenzel
Kenny Werner
Lucinda Williams
Robin Williams
Dean Wilson (PRS)
BeBe Winans
The Roland White Band
Pete Woodruff
Yellowjackets
Joe Zawinul

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.

Michael Jackson

Paul Simon

To date, BMI represents 73% of the members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame including such notables as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Bo Diddley, B. B. King, Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, the Beach Boys, the Supremes, Woody Guthrie, the Rolling Stones (PRS), the Temptations, Holland-Dozier-Holland, the Who (PRS), Bobby Darin, John Lee Hooker, Wilson Pickett, Doc Pomus, Elton John (PRS), the Allman Brothers Band, David Bowie, the Velvet Underground, the Bee Gees, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Eric Clapton (PRS), and many others.

The 16th Annual Induction Ceremony was held on Monday, March 19 at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. VH-1 will telecast highlights tonight (March 21) at 9:00 pm EST. Check your local listings or VH1.com for further details.

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria considered includes the influence and significance of the artist's contribution to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll. Similar criteria is used for the "Non Performer" and "Side-men" categories. Those eligible for the "Non Performer" category include songwriters, producers, disc jockeys, record company executives (mainly related to A&R), recording engineers, managers, journalists and other industry professionals.

The Foundation's nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians, selects 15 nominees each year in the "artist" category. Ballots are sent to an international voting body of about 1,000 rock experts, including BMI executives. Those performers who receive the highest number and more than 50% of the votes are inducted. There are usually between 5-7 artists inducted annually.

A special selection committee elects inductees in the "Non Performer" "Early Influence" and "Side-men" categories.