Shown are (l to r): BMI's Malik Levy and Charlie Feldman, son Cheaa Mayfield, Altheida Mayfield, BMI's Phil Graham and son Kirk Mayfield, with BMI's Catherine Brewton, David Claassen and Nicole Plantin.

Founded in 1985, Hollywood's RockWalk at the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard is the only sidewalk gallery dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of rock and roll, blues and r&b. The handprints and signatures of inductees will reside in bronze alongside other equally accomplished musicians and innovators including Isaac Hayes, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Brian Wilson, Aerosmith, Herbie Hancock, Elvis Presley, Queen, the Black Crowes, Dick Clark, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, KISS, Les Paul, John Lee Hooker and Smokey Robinson.

Altheida Mayfield, flanked by sons Cheaa (left) and Kirk (right), praises her late husband's achievements.

Photos by Marlene Meraz

Shown are (front row): songwriter Josiah Bell; BMI’s June Neira; songwriter/artists Matthew Mayfield, Frankie Storm and Duncan Sheik; composer Steven Sater; and songwriter/artists Lady GaGa and Lanz; (back row): BMI’s Ben Tischker and Wardell Malloy; songwriter Claude Kelly; songwriter/artist Brent Smith of Shinedown; BMI’s Charlie Feldman; songwriters Curtis Richardson and Dave Katz; and BMI’s Samantha Cox.

Josiah Bell
Songwriter/producer/engineer; signed first production deal to M2 Entertainment at 14-years-old; produced and wrote six songs for Stellar Award and Grammy-nominated gospel artist Vickie Winans at age 15; produced and wrote two songs for gospel artist Smokie Norful, including the hit single, “Can’t Nobody”; Smokie’s CD went Gold and won a Grammy for Gospel Album of the Year. Josiah is currently working on a solo project.

Dave Katz
Prolific songwriter for bands like Coheed + Cambria, Gym Class Heroes, Boys Like Girls; wrote and produced “Bring It (Snakes on a Plane)” for the Snakes on a Plane soundtrack; worked with Roger Daltry on his 1992 release, Rocks in the Head.

Claude Kelly
Singer/songwriter/vocal arranger for artists like Carl Thomas, Trey Songz, DJ Clue, Ray J, Danity Kane, Brooke Hogan, Frankie J

Lady GaGa
Singer/songwriter and N.Y. native, GaGa was chosen by the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame as one of nine performers in the 2006 New Songwriter’s Showcase, and as result, was signed to a production deal with Sony’s multi-platinum producer, Rob Fusari; since then GaGa has been in the midst of a label and industry frenzy!

Lanz
Songwriter/rapper; by 13, Lanz was already making an impression on New York’s underground rap scene, performing at clubs around town. At 16, her razor sharp lyrics and delivery on tough issues caught the attention of Interscope/Geffen/A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine, who signed her. Currently finishing up her debut CD.

Matthew Mayfield
Lead vocalist/guitarist for Moses Mayfield who was writing his own songs by 12. For him, songwriting is about connecting on a personal, emotional level, “dealing with my own demons and other peoples’ demons, vicariously.” Moses Mayfield has opened for Switchfoot, The Fray, My Morning Jacket and will be opening for Pete Yorn in early ’07. Debut release on Columbia set for March 27.

Curtis Richardson
Has written for Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J (No. 1 hit “All I Have”), Joss Stone, Rihanna, Sharissa. Coming up in ’07, Curtis will be writing with Craig David, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chaka Khan.

Steven Sater
A multiple threat with projects in theatre, film, music and television. Sater makes his Broadway debut with the book and lyrics to Spring Awakening. His partner, Duncan Sheik, wrote the music to the smash musical, which topped some of 2006’s Ten Best lists from Time Magazine, USA Today, New York Magazine and both critics from Time-Out New York and The New York Times, placing Spring Awakening among the front-runners for this year. In just a matter of weeks, the CD is already No. 3 on the Billboard charts for Cast Albums and Virgin’s No. 1 best seller for Cast Albums.

Duncan Sheik
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/recording artist who scored for film and the stage; produced Gold records for himself and his peers; year-long ride on the pop charts with “Barely Breathing”; new CD White Limousine. Broadway debut with writing partner Steve Sater of critically acclaimed Spring Awakening, the new musical based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 play about a young person’s sexual awakening.

Brent Smith
Lead singer and songwriter for Atlantic platinum recording artists, Shinedown. Brent currently co-wrote the album cut, “There and Back Again” with RCA chart-topping American Idol finalist Daughtry and is currently co-writing in all genres, including rock, pop and country.

Frankie Storm
Philly-based 24-year-old singer/songwriter currently working with production teams like Stargate, Soul Shock and Karlin and the Underdogs.

Gibson Guitar's Henry Juszkiewicz, BMI's Frances Preston, SHOF's Linda Moran, Johnny Mercer Award recipient Stevie Wonder, SHOF honoree Don McLean and SHOF's Hal David

Among the inductees were BMI songwriters and artists Charles Fox ("Killing Me Softly With His Song," "Love Boat" theme), Al Green ("Let's Stay Together," "I'm Still In Love With You"), Daryl Hall & John Oates ("Sara Smile," "I Can't Go For That"), Don McLean ("American Pie," "And I Love You So"), and songwriting duo Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield ("I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"). BMI songwriter Neil Sedaka ("Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Calendar Girl") was honored with the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award.

EMI Music Publishing's Marty Bandier, SHOF honorees Charlie Fox and John Oates, Patron of the Arts Award recipient Michael Goldstein, SHOF's Linda Moran, Recording Academy's Neil Portnow, producer Nile Rodgers, SHOF honoree Don McLean, Abe Olman Publisher's Award recipient Les Bider, BMI's Frances Preston, Universal Music's David Renzer, SHOF honorees Daryl Hall and Barrett Strong, (kneeling) Starlight Award recipient Rob Thomas and Gibson Guitar's Henry Juszkiewicz

Starlight Award recipient Rob Thomas, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Neil Sedaka and actor Eric McCormick

Other honorees included Stevie Wonder (Johnny Mercer Award) and Rob Thomas of matchbox twenty, who received the first ever Starlight Award. Warner/Chappell Music Chairman/CEO Les Bider received the Abe Olman Publisher's Award and Toys 'R' Us Children's Fund Chairman Michael Goldstein was the recipient of the Patron of the Arts Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Neil Sedaka and BMI's Frances Preston	SHOF honoree Charlie Fox and BMI's Frances Preston

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The NAPM/SHOF is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. BMI is a long-time supporter of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Don McLean's daughter, wife and son, SHOF honoree Don McLean, BMI's Del Bryant and wife Carolyn Bryant

Past Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees include Carole King, Sting, Bob Dylan, Queen, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, among many, many others.

Gibson Guitar's Henry Juszkiewicz, SHOF's Linda Moran, artist/presenter Jamie Cullum and BMI's Charlie Feldman

Charles Fox	Al Green	Don McLean

Among the inductees are BMI songwriters and artists Charles Fox ("Killing Me Softly With His Song," "I Got A Name"), Al Green ("Let's Stay Together," "I'm Still In Love With You"), Daryl Hall & John Oates ("Sara Smile," "I Can't Go For That"), Don McLean ("American Pie," "And I Love You So"), and songwriting duo Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield ("I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"). BMI songwriter Neil Sedaka ("Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Calendar Girl") will be honored with the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award.

Daryl Hall & John Oates	Neil Sedaka

Other honorees include Stevie Wonder, who will be this year's recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award, and Rob Thomas of matchbox twenty, who will receive the first ever Starlight Award. Warner Chappell Chairman/CEO Les Bider will receive the Abe Olman Publisher's Award and Toys 'R' Us Children's Fund Chairman Michael Goldstein will be the recipient of the Patron of the Arts Award.

Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield	Les Bider

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The NAPM/SHOF is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. BMI is a long-time supporter of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Past Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees include Carole King, Sting, Bob Dylan, Queen, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, among many, many others.

Patron of the Arts Award recipient Marty Bandier (center) is congratulated by Warner/Chappell's Les Bider and BMI's Frances Preston

Other top BMI stars who were in attendance included newcomer Gavin DeGraw, Barry Manilow, and Pink, who paid tribute to Patron of the Arts recipient Marty Bandier with an incredible acoustic version of the Janis Joplin classic, "Me and Bobby McGee."

Roger Taylor of the legendary rock band Queen, Phil Collins and Queen guitarist Brian May

The 34th Annual Induction Ceremony was presented by the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame, the organization dedicated to recognizing the work and lives of those composers and lyricists who create popular music around the world. Founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond, BMI is proud to support the work of the NAPM/SHOF, which is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. Over the course of the past 33 years, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees have included Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, among many, many others.

Gavin DeGraw and BMI's Frances Preston

Tennis pro John McEnroe and Queen's Roger Taylor

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Patti LaBelle and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Jr.

photos: Gary Gershoff

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame, the organization dedicated to recognizing the work and lives of those composers and lyricists who create popular music around the world, has just announced that BMI artist/songwriter Patti LaBelle will be this year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th annual induction ceremony set for Thursday, June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

Little Richard

Clive Davis

Van Morrison

Patti LaBelle

Other inductees were announced previously and include BMI songwriter/artists Van Morrison, Little Richard, Queen and RCA Music Group Chairman/CEO Clive Davis (Hitmaker Award), as well as Phil Collins, Tony Bennett (Towering Performance Award), "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" (Towering Song Award), Jimmy Webb (Johnny Mercer Award), EMI Music Publishing Chairman/CEO Marty Bandier (Patron of the Arts Award) and BMG Music Publishing Chairman Nicholas Firth (Abe Olman Publishing Award). National Music Publishers Association CEO Ed Murphy, who was granted the 2002 Abe Olman Award but was unable to attend last year's ceremony, will be presented belatedly with his award.

"This year's Songwriters' Hall of Fame inductees comprise a global representation, highlighting the universality of music," commented SHOF Chairman/CEO Hal David. "This event is very special because it's a time when premier songwriters come together to honor their own. We are looking forward to another terrific evening, one of the high points of the year."

Queen

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters' Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The NAPM/SHOF is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. Over the course of the past 33 years, some key Songwriters' Hall of Fame inductees have included Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, among many, many others.

Hero Award recipient McCoy Tyner (2nd left) is congratulated by BMI's Charlie Feldman, Samantha Cox and J.W. Johnson

Presenters for the evening included BMI songwriter/artists Jaguar Wright and Kenny Gamble, Def Jam President Kevin Liles, Electric Factory Concerts President Larry Magid and Late Night With David Letterman's Paul Shaffer. Tiffany Bacon of Power 99 hosted the event that featured Doc Gibbs and the Emeril Live Band as well as the Philadelphia Grammy All-Star High School Band.

BMI's Brooke Primont and Charlie Feldman, Hero Award recipients Walter "Bunny" Sigler and Joe Nicolo, BMI's Samantha Cox, Hero Award recipient Larry Gold, and BMI's J.W. Johnson, Wardell Malloy and Erica Tompkins. photos: Recording Academy

Grammy-nominated arranger and cellist Larry Gold is also the owner of the highly successful recording facility The Studio. A student of the Curtis Institute of Music, Gold quickly went on to become the cellist for MFSB, the house band for the Sound of Philadelphia, with whom he recorded tracks for The O'Jays, Billy Paul, The Spinners, Teddy Pendergrass, The Tramps, Patti LaBelle and others. Later, Gold turned his talents to composing for animated films, and earned an Oscar nomination for the film short It's So Nice To Have A Wolf Around The House. In 1996, he created The Studio, a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Philadelphia, which became a home for recording artists including the Roots, Erykah Badu, Common, Jill Scott, Musiq and many others in the burgeoning soul and R&B scene.

Grammy-nominated producer, engineer, studio owner and record label executive Joe Nicolo has had a successful, long-running career in Philadelphia. He and twin brother Phil formed Studio 4 together and over the past 25 years, the studio has become a local mecca for artists including Boyz II Men and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (both recorded early albums at Studio 4), Aerosmith, Dishwalla, the Dead Milkmen, the Hooters, the Rolling Stones, Urban Dance Squad and many others. Nicolo has produced and engineered a wide range of acts from Cypress Hill, Billy Joel, Foreigner and Cyndi Lauper to Taj Mahal, Schooly D and Grover Washington Jr. In the early '80s, Nicolo formed Ruffhouse Records with partner Chris Schwartz. The label would become home to cutting-edge hip-hop and rap acts such as Cypress Hill, Kris Kross, Tim Dog and the Fugees (as well as solo projects from Fugees artists Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean). Earlier this year, Nicolo joined forces with RKO Pictures and started a new label, RKO/Judgement, whose focus is movie soundtracks and new recording artists.

Singer, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist Walter "Bunny" Sigler is a Philadelphia legend. His first album came out on Cameo Parkway, preceding Sigler's years with Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff as a songwriter and artist. He has written or co-written songs for Phil Hurtt, The O' Jays, Patti LaBelle, Jay-Z, the Dells and Mystique. His production credits include work with Curtis Mayfield, The O' Jays, Lou Rawls and Patti LaBelle. Recently, Sigler's work has been sampled in the Grammy-winning Nelly track "Dilemma" and his songwriting has appeared on R&B artist Jaguar Wright's recent debut album, Denials Delusions and Decisions.

Philadelphia native McCoy Tyner is often cited as the most influential jazz pianist of his time. Over the span of his 50-year career, Tyner has won two Grammy Awards for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance and has collaborated with many noted artists, including the Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet, John Coltrane, Stephane Grappelli, Sonny Rollins, and Ike and Tina Turner. A powerful virtuoso, Tyner has stayed true to his own unique musical style from his early days and continues to evolve and redefine excellence. He was nominated at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Instrumental Album (Individual or Group) for his recent album McCoy Tyner Plays John Coltrane - Live at the Village Vanguard.

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as the Recording Academy, is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural conditions for music and its makers. An organization of 18,000 musicians, producers, and other recording professionals, the Recording Academy is internationally known for the Grammy Awards and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach, professional development, cultural enrichment, education and human services programs.

Toby McKeehan

Kirk Franklin

Congratulations to BMI's 2003 Dove Award nominees:

NINE NOMINATIONS:
Toby McKeehan

EIGHT NOMINATIONS:
Kirk Franklin

SEVEN NOMINATIONS:
Wayne Haun

FOUR NOMINATIONS:
The Crabb Family
The Hoskins Family
Jars of Clay

THREE NOMINATIONS:
Audio Adrenaline
Dottie Peoples
Mark Schultz
Mike Bowling
Monroe Jones
The Oak Ridge Boys
Rebecca St. James
Trin-i-tee 5:7

TWO NOMINATIONS:
12 Stones
Yolanda Adams
Kenny Bereal
Steven Curtis Chapman
Don Clark
Nate Clemmons
Jeff and Sheri Easter
Vince Gill
Gold City
Greater Vision
GRITS
Israel Houghton
Jennifer Knapp
Will McGinnis
Mike City
Mark Stuart
Smokie Norful
Charlie Peacock
Karen Peck and New River
Pillar
Barry Poynter
Aaron Sprinkle
The Blind Boys of Alabama
The Canton Spirituals
The Lewis Family
The Paynes
The Perrys
Harvey Watkins

SINGLE NOMINATIONS:
Adore
Adam Anders
Paul Allen
Luther Barnes
Ron Block
Kevin Bond
Matt Bronleewe
Tyler Burkum
Buster
Marc Byrd
Eddie Carswell
Teron Carter
Ed Cash
Charlie Daniels Band
Alvin Chea
John Chelew
Chigger Hill Boys & Terri
Michael Clemons
David Corlew
Jim Cooper
Cumberland Quartet
Cedric Dent
Chris Eaton
Fleming & John
Paul Fox
Brian Free & Assurrance
Paul Garcia
Ernie Haase
Tom T. Hall
Fred Hammond
Sanchez Harley
Dan Haseltine
Rick Hendrix
Bob Herdman
Norman Hutchins
Rodney Jerkins
Tim Johnson
Stacey Jones
Joy Electric
Joel Kibble
Mark Kibble
Lifehouse
Lordsong
Dorothy Love-Coates
Charlie Lowell
Merlin Lucious
The Martins
Stephen Mason
Kevin Max
Curtis Mayfield
Claude McKnight
Brent Milligan
Dave Moody
The Nelons
Matt Odmark
Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet
Out Of Eden
Paul Overstreet
Joe Pace
Sandi Patty
Brian Peters
Otto Price
Doug Riley
Professor James Roberson
Ric Robbins
Marvin Sapp
Shavoni
Pamela Sheyne
Charlie Sizemore
Skillet
Southern Brothers
Pete Stewart
Mike Speck
Take 6
Ben Tankard
Michael Tait
Michael Anthony Taylor
Stephen Tedeschi
David Thomas
Up In The Mix Music
Miguel Angel Villagran
Asaph Ward
Cornelius Dwayne Watkins
Cece Winans
Joe Wolfe
Gerald Wolfe

"This year's Songwriters' Hall of Fame inductees comprise a global representation, highlighting the universality of music," commented Hal David. "This event is very special because it's a time when premier songwriters come together to honor their own. We are looking forward to another terrific evening, one of the high points of the year."

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters' Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The NAPM/SHOF is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships.

Over the course of the past 33 years, some key Songwriters' Hall of Fame inductees have included Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Jim Croce, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, among many, many others.

Ticket information will be available shortly.