The ethereal Alison Krauss received resounding applause for her work with Robert Plant, as the pair earned Album and Duo/Group of the Year, while gospel and soul hybrid Mike Farris walked away with New Emerging Artist of the Year bragging rights. The association also doled out its prestigious lifetime achievement honors, the majority of which went to BMI legends. Iconic singer and songwriter John Hiatt received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting, while pioneering rock-roots synergists Jason and the Scorchers claimed Lifetime Achievement honors in the Performance field. Influential producer Tony Brown surprised folk and roots force Nanci Griffith with the 2nd annual Trailblazer trophy, and Griffith returned the honor in kind, presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Producer/Engineer category to Brown.

The audience at the Ryman enjoyed performances from top tier BMI singer/songwriters including Joe Ely, Ryan Bingham, the original Jason and the Scorchers, the Sam Bush Band, Kane Welch Kaplin, The SteelDrivers, Tift Merritt, James McMurtry and Todd Snider.

2008 BMI AMA Honors & Awards Winners

Album of the Year Raising Sand Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

Duo/Group of the Year Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

New Emerging Artist of the Year Mike Farris

Lifetime Achievement Honors:

Lifetime Achievement / Songwriting John Hiatt

Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement / Executive Terry Lickona

Lifetime Achievement / Performance Jason & The Scorchers

Trailblazer Nanci Griffith

Lifetime Achievement / Producer or Engineer Tony Brown

Legendary Nashville rock band Jason and the Scorchers took home a Lifetime Achievement Award. Pictured are (l-r) BMI's Phil Graham, Jason and the Scorchers' Jason Ringenberg and BMI's Jody Williams.

Sarah Siskind captivates the crowd at the BMI Americana showcase.

The Branded Sons rock the Americana coffee lounge.

Pictured after the BMI showcase are (l-r): back row: BMI's Mark Mason, with the Branded Sons' Nate Clark and Mike Bair; front row: the Branded Sons' Dwayne Rushing, Laws Rushing and Jeff Brown, with BMI's Perry Howard.

Each year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, the association bestows the industry's arguably most unique and personalized awards on winners.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI's Jody Williams, Lifetime Achievement Award winner John Hiatt and BMI's Phil Graham.

Joe Ely (left) chats with Jason Ringenberg (right) backstage at the Ryman.

Todd Snider (right) cracks up Jason Ringenberg (left).

Growing up, Kevin heard the music within, and he began recording as a teen. “At 16, I wrote my first song,” he recalls. “I woke up in the studio one night and something literally clicked in my head! I really heard it, so I said, ‘I better write this down.’ For Kevin, music was the only option worth considering. He recounts, “I had the offer of a full scholarship to Hofstra, but I never seriously thought about it. I feel real strongly about doing what it is you want to do.”

Kevin Michael’s YaDig? EP, available only on Itunes, is an introduction to Kevin’s unique sound and style in advance of his album release on August 28th, 2007. “We All Want the Same Thing” is included in two ways: the hip-hop inflected version featuring Lupe Fiasco, and the stripped-down acoustic style featuring guitarist and beat boxer Akil Dasan, who also appears on the acoustic versions of “Vicki Secrets” and “It Don’t Make Any Difference To Me” featured on the EP.

“We All Want The Same Thing,” the EP’s opener, is both a statement of purpose and roots for the artist who lived in worlds both black and white (“All my gangster friends/and all my skater friends/We all want the same thing/DJ’s in the clubs/Jesus freaks and thugs/We all want the same things”).

“Vicki Secrets” showcases Kevin’s falsetto, and proves him as a singer with considerable sex appeal who knows how to communicate to the ladies. And then there’s Kevin’s ode to Michael Jackson, “Stone Cold Killa,” which weaves a Latin percussive feel with snappy pop phrasing and layered vocal harmonies to conjure up a world of good times, beautiful women and smiles on the dance floor.

“It Don’t Make Any Difference To Me” shows both the range of Kevin’s songwriting abilities and the depth of his pride in who he is (“All you gotta do is look at me/Three generations of my family you see/People treat you different/When you’re in between/He was black and she was white/You know that most people thought that it wasn’t right/I can still remember what she used to say/It don’t make any difference to me”). The song combines an irresistible pop feel with poignant lyrics, and what emerges is a trans-racial modern day anthem. The album version of the song was produced by and featuring Wyclef Jean, bringing a Caribbean flavor to the mix.

“I don’t know where I begin and the music stops,” Kevin professes. With a stunning debut ready to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting music public, this young man brimming with soul and confidence is ready to take his vision on the road and to the next level (www.myspace.com/kevinmichaelmusic)

A selection of Atlanta's music industry elite along with rising urban stars made the last day of school for students at Benjamin S. Carson Prep School even sweeter. Performing rights organization BMI and Teach For America partnered to throw the kids an all-star pep rally Friday, May 25, rewarding them for their hard work, good grades and steady attendance.

Atlanta r&b artist Lloyd performed "Get It Shawty" for a crowd of cheering youngsters, and then called up-and-comer Block Ent/Bad Boy South's Gorilla Zoe to the stage to perform as well. Lloyd asked the students to raise their hands and repeat, "I promise to follow my dreams. I promise to follow my heart. Nothing is impossible." Successful industry professionals, including Hannah Kang, general manager of Grand Hustle Entertainment; Laura Giles, general manager of Sho'Nuff Records; hit songwriter Teddy Bishop (Aaliyah's "I Miss You"); renowned DJ Ruckus; comedian GRIFF from the HOT 107.9 A-Team Morning Show; entertainment attorney Phaedra Parks; and BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton, each provided motivational words that echoed Lloyd's chant, and sought to encourage the students to stay on the right path.

The roots of the assembly date back to February, when BMI's Catherine Brewton guest taught a lesson in Teach For America corps member Anastasia Michals's sixth grade class. She was there as part of Teach For America Week, a nationwide event in which community leaders serve as guest teachers in Teach For America corps members' classrooms. During this visit, Brewton made a pact with the students - if they worked hard on grades and consistent attendance, and she would return with a performer from the music industry.

As the school year wound down, it was clear that the sixth-graders had reached their goal. Brewton kept her promise, returning to Michals's sixth-grade classroom with rising r&b star Lloyd, who greeted the excited students, posed for photos and signed autographs and posters. "Teach For America Week gave me the chance to see how important it is to set high expectations for our kids," said Brewton. "They have the will and ability to do so well. I am proud to bring Lloyd and my other music industry friends here to meet such an amazing group of young people."

"We greatly appreciate BMI and Catherine's commitment to Anastasia's students," said Diana Ellsworth, executive director of Teach For America. "This showcase of entertainment pros gave the kids a taste of the music industry and reinforced the message that the school and our corps members instill in the students all year - that if they set and reach ambitious goals, the results will be rewarding."

About Teach For America Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year, 4,400 corps members are teaching in over 1,000 schools in 25 regions across the country, and more than 12,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.

Admission is free; please R.S.V.P. to RSVP@bmi.com with the panel date in the subject.

This new panel series, modeled after a program created in 2006 by the BMI Los Angeles staff, offers an inside look into the making and marketing of music. Noted industry taste-makers will provide insight on hot topics affecting songwriters, musicians, managers and the industry at large. In addition to the inaugural “Music in Film” panel, future topics include:

April 10:  “Building Your High-Octane Team”
June 12:  “A&R: Getting Their Attention”
Aug. 14:  “Groups That Support You and Your Music”
Oct. 9:  “Publishing 101: You’ve Got a Hit, Now What”

The New York “Industry Insider” series will launch on Feb. 13 with tips and tricks from established film music executives, who will discuss soundtrack placements, networking and how to make the perfect pitch in a moderated Q&A format. Panelists include music supervisors Jim Dunbar and Janice Ginsberg; Karen Lamberton, VP, Soundtracks and Film & TV Music, RCA Music Group; Gillian Morris, Senior VP, Film & Television Music/Licensing, Wind-Up Records; and moderator Steven Scharf; Senior VP, Creative, Carlin America & President, Steven Scharf Entertainment.

Janice Ginsberg’s 20-plus year career includes working with artists of all genres as a talent acquisition executive, music supervisor, music publisher and producer. Ginsberg’s experience encompasses many credits in radio, TV, feature films and soundtrack albums. Consultancies have included her acting as U.S. representative for Italy’s CAM Original Soundtracks (Il Postino), a joint venture with music publisher Carlin America and Greene Street Films for whom she established a music publishing division. Presently, Ginsberg is developing a music department for the Edward R. Pressman Film Corporation. Her production credits include Standing in the Shadows of Motown-The Story of the Funk Brothers, Strange Brew: The Story of Cream and Let the Good Times Roll: The Roots of American Music...New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Music supervisor and consultant credits include Sisters, The Hip-Hop Project and Snow Angels.

Jim Dunbar is a New York-based music supervisor and producer. His credits include Kimberley Peirce’s Boys Don’t Cry, Richard Linklater’s School of Rock, Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou and Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator. Among his current projects are Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There, Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini’s The Nanny Diaries, and an untitled project by Kimberley Peirce. Prior to working in film, Dunbar was a senior A&R executive at Capitol, Columbia and Geffen Records, and worked as a DJ for radio stations WHFS and KUSF.

Gillian Morris is currently Senior Vice President of Film & Television Music/Licensing at Wind-Up Records, responsible for licensing Wind-Up’s master and publishing rights for film and TV placement, as well as overseeing the company’s soundtrack division. Prior to joining Wind-Up in 2000, Morris was an independent music supervisor for a series of independent films in New York City, and prior to that, oversaw the film and television licensing department at Arista Records in Los Angeles.

Music executive Karen Lamberton started her career at Thorn EMI in Los Angeles, later becoming an assistant at Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency where she worked with such top composers as Ennio Morricone, Hank Zimmer and Michael Kamen. Other experience includes positions at Capitol Records, Worlds End and Quincy Jones’ music publishing company, where she rose to VP. She joined J Records in 2001 as VP of Soundtracks and Film/TV Music, establishing a licensing division and overseeing the procurement and making of soundtrack albums. She also worked with such artists as Maroon 5, Alicia Keys and Gavin DeGraw at J, and after the BMG merger, she took on the additional responsibility of working the RCA roster, which included Foo Fighters, Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera, among others. She is currently VP of Soundtracks and Film & TV Music at RCA Music Group, overseeing a vibrant staff and a roster of artists well-represented in the area of soundtrack albums and film, TV, and advertising.

Steven Scharf’s 38 years in the recording industry has covered areas of record producing, A&R, music publishing, and the management of record producers, film and TV composers, and artists. In 1991, he founded Steven Scharf Entertainment, a producer management company representing a wide array of talent, including producers Julius “Juice” Butty and Rob Friedman, composers Mark Suozzo and Barry Goldberg, and artists Ali Eskandarian, Intercooler and 46bliss, among others. He has also ventured with legendary music publisher Freddy Bienstock of Carlin America Inc., where he is currently Senior VP of Creative, concentrating on all film/TV/advertising and song placements.

The “Industry Insider” series was created by the BMI Los Angeles Writer/Publisher Relations team in conjunction with Gibson Guitar and Billboard to provide BMI songwriters with music industry insider resources essential for success. Moderated by a rotating group of professionals from the three companies, the panel series offers a direct link to the inner-workings of the music business from the perspective of established music professionals. Educational support for the creative community is a cornerstone of BMI’s songwriter outreach programs, and through such programs, BMI fosters networking and career-developing skills and talents.

Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson’s digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in more than 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Mich., and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton, Chickering and Wurlitzer. For more information on Gibson Guitars, please visit www.gibson.com.

Now in its 111th year, Billboard is the world’s premier weekly music, video and digital entertainment publication and a diverse digital, events and brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends. Billboard is the flagship property for the Billboard Information Group, which also includes www.Billboard.com, www.Billboard.biz, Billboard Chart Alert, Billboard Information Network (BIN), Billboard Directories, Billboard Books, Billboard Licensing & Events and Billboard Radio Monitor.

With a growing résumé of film credits, including 15 Minutes, Timecode, God Said Ha! and Two Days in the Valley, Marinelli adds to his credits Mayor of the Sunset Strip, the tale of Hollywood icon Rodney Bingenheimer and the darker side of fame. “I played what I thought was Rodney. In the midst of this profound exuberance, fame, beautiful Hollywood and happy people with success and money, there was a lot of struggle.”

Marinelli composed for a chilling chapter in celebrity with his latest project, Chapter 27, which chronicles the last three days in the life of John Lennon and his assassin, Mark David Chapman. Originally, the composer and some musician friends planned to improvise a psychedelic score, but the project now features Marinelli’s classical score with a 60-piece orchestra. “They play against picture, almost like Tchaikovsky in The Nutcracker,” he explains. 

With television credits and an extensive list of award-winning commercials, Marinelli recently contributed production to singer/songwriter Shawn Amos’s Thank You Shirl-ee May, and molded Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass classics into modern remixes. This past summer he composed a tone poem, “In the Family,” featuring narration by writer/actress Julia Sweeny. Commissioned by the L.A. Philharmonic, the 22-minute piece was performed for two nights with a 90-piece orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. 

Beyond styles, Anthony Marinelli seems to gravitate to projects with heart and history. “We study and absorb, and it evolves from there. Hopefully we can make the music more original; but ultimately we just bring who we are.”

Past musical recipients of the National Heritage Fellowships include B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Doc Watson and Bill Monroe. This noteworthy list of more than 60 individuals and groups includes representatives of the blues, gospel, bluegrass, Tejano and Cajun fields. Its diversity illustrates BMI's dedication to the roots of American music and the nation's cultural heritage.

BMI's 2006 NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Henry Gray is a widely respected blues pianist from Baton Rouge, La. He played keyboards in the legendary Howlin' Wolf band for 12 years (1956-68) before retuning to his native Louisiana and becoming one of the best known players in the Gulf region. His numerous albums illustrate his notable "swamp-blues" style. photo: Brian Smith

Doyle Lawson of Bristol, Tenn., is one of the most respected bluegrass and gospel performers in the field. He began playing professionally at the age of 11, and joined ensembles led by Jimmy Martin and J.D. Crowe, as well as the Country Gentlemen. In 1979, he founded the band Quicksilver, which has won the coveted Vocal Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association for the last five years.

Mavis Staples has been a powerhouse vocalist in the gospel and r&b fields for nearly 50 years. She formed the Staples Singers along with her siblings and late father Roebuck "Pop" Staples (a 1998 Fellowship recipient). Chart-topping songs such as "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There" on Memphis's Stax Records possess countless fans. In recent years as a solo artist, she has collaborated with Prince, Bob Dylan and Marty Stuart.

Complete list of BMI National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Francisco Aguabella [1992]
Afro-Cuban drummer
Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Alfonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin [1986]
African-American Creole Accordionist
Eunice, La.

Pedro Ayala [1988]
Mexican-American accordionist
Donna, Texas

Kenny Baker [1993]
Bluegrass fiddler
Cottonwood, Tenn.

Dewey Balfa [1982]
Cajun fiddler
Basile, La.

Eddie Blazonczyk [1998]
Polish-American Musician/Bandleader
Bridgeview, Ill.

Charles Brown [1997]
Blues pianist & composer
Berkeley, Ca.

Chuck Brown [2005]
African-American musical innovator
Brandywine, Md.

Michael Burke [2001]
Irish Fiddler
Portland, Ore.

Liz Carroll [1994]
Irish-American fiddler
Chicago, Ill.

Rapael Cepeda [1983]
Bomba musician/dancer
Santurce, Puerto Rico

Wilson "Boozoo" Chavis [2001]
Credo Zydeco accordionist
Lake Charles, La.

Clifton Chenier [1984]
Creole accordionist
Lafayette, La.

Joseph Cormier [1984]
Cape Bretton accordionist
Waltham, Mass.

Elizabeth Cotton [1984]
African-American songster/songwriter
Syracuse, N.Y.

Luderin Darbon/Edwin Duhon [2002]
Cajun fiddler and accordionist
Sulphur, La./Westlake, La.

Dixie Hummingbirds [2000]
African-American gospel quartet
Philadelphia, Pa.

Michael Doucet [2005]
Cajun fiddler, composer and band leader
Lafayette, La.

Jerry Douglas [2004]
Dobro player
Nashville, Tenn.

David "Honeyboy" Edwards [2002]
Blues guitarist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Fairfield Four [1989]
African-American acapella gospel singers
Nashville, Tenn.

Canray Fontenot [1986]
African-American creole fiddler
Welsh, La.

Clarence Fountain & the Blind Boys [1994]
African-American gospel singers
Atlanta, Ga.

Johnny Gimble [1994]
Angle western swing fiddler
Dripping Springs, Texas

Henry Gray [2006]
Blues piano player, singer
Baton Rouge, La.

Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero [1991]
Mexican-American singer/guitarist/composer
Cathedral City, Calif.

Juan Gutierrez [1996]
Puerto Rican drummer
New York, N.Y.

John Lee Hooker [1983]
Blues guitarist/singer
San Carlos, Calif.

John Jackson [1986]
African-American songster/guitarist
Fairfax, Va.

Wanda Jackson [2005]
Early country, rockabilly and gospel singer
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Santiago Jimenez, Jr. [2000]
Tejano accordionist/singer
San Antonio, Texas

Bessie Jones [1982]
Georgia Sea Island singer
Brunswick, Ga.

Raymond Kane [1987]
Hawaiian slack key guitarist/singer
Wai'anae, Hawaii

Ali Akbar Khan [1997]
North Indian sarod player & raga composer
San Anselmo, Calif.

Riley "B.B." King [1991]
African-American bluesman
Itta Bena, Miss./Las Vegas, Nev.

Doyle Lawson [2006]
Gospel and bluegrass singer, arranger, bandleader
Bristol, Tenn.

Robert Jr. Lockwood [1995]
African-American delta blues guitarist
Cleveland, Ohio

Valerio Longoria [1986]
Mexican-American accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Israel "Cachao" Lopez [1995]
Afro-Cuban bassist/composer/band leader
Miami, Fla.

Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew [1988]
African-American blues pianist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Wade Mainer [1987]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Flint, Mich.

Brownie McGhee [1982]
Blues guitarist
Oakland, Calif.

Jim & Jesse McReynolds [1997]
Bluegrass musicians
Gallatin, Tenn.

D.L. Menard [1994]
Cajun musician/songwriter
Erath, La.

Lydia Mendoza [1983]
Mexican-American singer
Houston, Texas

Bill Monroe [1983]
Nashville, Tenn.

Jack Owens [1993]
Blues singer/guitarist
Betonia, Miss.

Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins [2000]
Blues piano player
La Porte, Ind.

Ola Belle Reed [1986]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Rising Sun, Md.

Domingo "Mingo" Saldivar [2002]
Conjunto accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Earl Scruggs [1989]
Bluegrass banjo player
Madison, Tenn.

Simon Sheheen [1994]
Arab-American oud player
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ralph Stanley [1983]
Appalachian banjo player/singer
Coeburn, Va.

Mavis Staples [2006]
Gospel, rhythm & blues singer
Chicago, Ill.

Roebuck "Pops" Staples [1998]
African-American gospel/blues musician
Dolton, Ill.

Koko Taylor [2004]
Blues musician
Chicago, Ill.

Sanders "Sonny" Terry [1983]
Blues musician
Holliswood, N.Y.

Henry Townsend [1985]
Blues musician/singer
St. Louis, Mo.

Othar Turner [1992]
African-American fife player
Senatobia, Miss.

Albertina Walker [2005]
Gospel singer
Chicago, Ill.

Don Walser [2000]
Western singer/guitarist
Austin, Texas

Arthel "Doc" Watson [1988]
Appalachian guitar player/singer
Deep Gap, N.C.

Claude "The Fiddler" Williams [1998]
African-American jazz/swing fiddler
Kansas City, Mo.

Dewey Williams [1983]
Shape note singer
Ozark, Ala.

Nimrod Workman [1986]
Appalachian ballad singer
Mascot, Tenn./Chattaroy, W.V.]]> 2006-09-11T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/4027 Artists, Novaks, The, Roots, The, Musical Styles, Rock, Musicworld, On The Scene Made up of Mick Davis (vocals, guitar), Chuck Tucker (vocals, guitar), Mark Neary (vocals, bass) and Elliot Dicks (drums, shakers and tambourine), the Novaks have spent the last three years converting the masses one bar room at a time. Alternating between powerful, unapologetic hooks and darker moments of soulful authenticity, they weave honored rock n’ roll traditions together with modern stylings to create a truly timeless sound. It’s electric, raw, and magnetic. It’s the Novaks. 

The roots of the band spawn from the childhood friendship of Mick and Chuck. Though the two grew up across the street from each other in Wesleyville in New Foundland, Canada, it wasn’t until they both moved to St. John’s that things began to take shape. After playing individually with a variety of different acts, they began to work together to form a band in the summer of 2002. Mark and Elliott were enlisted in the following months and the quartet’s unique chemistry was complete.

Things quickly took shape for the group as they signed a management and production deal with Inside Music, began recording demos, and set out on a UK tour. On the tour, the group performed at some of the top clubs in London, including the Borderline and also as a part of Sony UK’s “Blame Canada” showcase. 

Following their UK dates, the Novaks set up a recording studio in an old community hall (Atlantic Hall) and an empty tennis club (Riverdale Tennis Club) in St. John’s for three weeks in November 2004.  In these familiar surroundings, they crafted a debut album which, as Mick puts it, “musically defines everything the band is about.”

From the opening salvo of “No One Quite Like You” to the closing crashes of “You Don’t Have To Hang Around,” the Novaks offer 12 original songs that highlight the depth of their songwriting and the intensity of their performances. This sound is exemplified by both lead single “Goodbye Rock and Roll Band” and crowd favorite “Doesn’t Anybody Hear It.” Showing the band’s ability to instantly grab the listener, the songs carry memorable melodies atop energetic riffs and driving rhythms.

Over the past year, the group showcased at both Canada Music Week and NXNE in 2005. They also performed with national groups like Matt Mays & El Torpedo and Sam Roberts, along with international acts such as the Psychedelic Furs and Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers. As the band takes on new fans with every show, it’s becoming apparent that the Canadian music scene has found a truly exciting new voice. 

This time around Reilly steps forward as lead vocalist for Nightmare Of You, a band he formed in 2003 with high school friend Joseph McCaffrey, who had begun assisting Reilly with a few solo songs between his duties in the Movielife. Along with McCaffrey, fellow Long Islander Ryan Heil eventually filled in on bass and New York hardcore veteran Sammy Siegler (Rival Schools, CIV, Glassjaw) took over on drums. Though their credentials are noteworthy, you’d be remiss to let the past color how you will eventually hear their self-titled East West debut: a stunning album full of broad shoulder hooks and poetic interludes.

Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Jason Lader (protege of legendary music industry vet Rick Rubin), the record was a first for all parties involved, including Lader who, here, is making his credited production debut. It’s even being released as the inaugural disc through the band’s own label, the Bevonshire Label, named in honor of the dingy hotel they lived at during the album’s recording. Throughout Nightmare Of You, though, the band’s songs serve as a catalyst that will inevitably solidify their transformation from punk rock vets to accomplished songwriters, honing in on a more mature sound that their previous bands only seemed to hint at.

It is evident from the somber opening track “The Days Go By Oh So Slow” that the chunky guitar distortion of old has vanished in favor of clean string arrangements, creating a sound that is more reminiscent of the early 1980’s Manchester scene than any of the band members’ previous endeavors. But the emotional purging that has long been a part of hardcore’s loud-and-fast history still remains. “Writing is therapeutic,” Reilly insists. “I have [always] been dysfunctional that’s probably why my lyrics come across as dark. But you have to have a decent sense of humor about what cards you are dealt in life.”

The juxtaposition of memorable melodies and sardonic lyrics are bound to keep the listeners intrigued. The subtly haunting confessions of obsession in “I Want To Be Buried In Your Backyard” finds Reilly in particularly sweet and sour mood. But, moreover, Nightmare Of You defies simple categorization, and in a musical climate where most bands adhere to a formula of sandwiching catchy but disposable choruses between standardized verses, this is a new beginning and a witty breath of fresh air.

The Devon, England native was reared on old school soul and r&b, and was especially enamored with Aretha Franklin. When she started singing herself, Stone discovered she has a deep and rich voice not unlike that of her heroine. After winning the BBC’s “Star For A Night” talent show, she landed a deal with S-Curve Records and headed to Miami to record under the tutelage of soul sister Betty Wright (“Clean Up Woman”). After laying down her own songs, she took a stab at some r&b classics with the crew of veteran players and writers responsible for the 1970s “Miami Sound.” The results were so impressive that S-Curve president Steve Greenberg decided to use them to introduce Stone to the public.

The resulting album, The Soul Sessions — augmented by her take on The White Stripes’ “Fell In Love With The Boy,” waxed in Philadelphia with Angie Stone and The Roots — brought Stone immediate attention on its release in the fall of 2003. It has since gone on to sell two million copies.

Now, a year later, she is following up her phenomenal success with Mind, Body & Soul , writing or co-writing 12 of its 14 tracks. “There’ll be a reggae track on there, and some hip-hop influences in there,” says Stone. “But, it’s still soulful. I can’t sing without soul. I try to keep a little bit of soul in there, because that’s what it’s all about.”

Evanescence

The White Stripes

Rock band Evanescence also topped this year's list, picking up five nominations including Best New Artist and Best Rock Album for their multi-platinum breakthrough release, Fallen. Other five-time nominees were rapper Eminem and the late Warren Zevon. Also receiving multiple nods were Willie Nelson, Jack White of The White Stripes (three with his band and one individual), and classical composer Jose Serebrier with four each and Christina Aguilera with three, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her smash hit, "Beautiful."

Willie Nelson

Eminem

Warren Zevon

The 46th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2004, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS from 8-11:30 p.m. on the East and West Coasts.

BMI's Grammy Nominees

SIX NOMINATIONS
Pharrell Williams

FIVE NOMINATIONS
Eminem
Evanescence
Chad Hugo
Warren Zevon

FOUR NOMINATIONS
Willie Nelson
José Serebrier
The White Stripes

THREE NOMINATIONS
Christina Aguilera
Jeff Bass
Michael Brecker
Chick Corea
Anthony Hamilton
Alison Krauss
Lil' Kim
Shania Twain

TWO NOMINATIONS
Audioslave
Black Eyed Peas
Jorge Calderón
Ry Cooder
Foo Fighters
Fountains of Wayne
Aretha Franklin
Rich Harrison
Heather Headley
Bishop T.D. Jakes
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
k.d. lang (SOCAN)
The Matrix
Martina McBride
Aaron Neville
Nickelback (SOCAN)
Pink
Neal Pogue
Earl Scruggs
Wayne Shorter
Snoop Dogg
Sting (PRS)
Union Station
Doc Watson
will.i.am
John Williams
Lucinda Williams

ONE NOMINATION
Mirwais Ahmadzaï
Akwid
Allman Brothers Band
Audio Adrenaline
Marcia Ball
Luther Barnes & the Sunset Jubilaires
Buju Banton (PRS)
Mark Batson
Steve Berkowitz
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Carla Bley Big Band
Blind Boys of Alabama
Blue Highway
Michelle Branch
Randy Brecker
Brooks & Dunn
David Bowie (PRS)
Joe Budden
Jimmy Buffett
Martin Buttrich (GEMA)
Café Tacuba
Michel Camilo
Cam'Ron
Caribbean Jazz Project
Rosanne Cash
Stanley Clarke
Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
The Crabb Family
The Crusaders
Sam Cooke
Adrian Cosentini
Diamond Rio
Ani DiFranco
Reggie Dozier
Jimmy Douglass
Eagles
Fred Ebb
Kurt Elling
Scotty Emerick
The Flaming Lips
Floetry
Bill Frisell
Kenny G
Vince Gill
Gorillaz (PRS)
Percy Gray, Jr.
Buddy Guy
Eddie Gonzalez
Jimmy Gonzalez y El Grupo Mazz
Pat Green
Stephan Haeri
William Hamilton
Roy Hargrove
Faith Hill
Dave Holland Quintet
Eric Idle (PRS)
India
Intocable
Jane's Addiction
Etta James
Keith Jarrett
Jars of Clay
Norah Jones
The Jordanaires
John Kander
Peter Kater
John P. Kee
Garrison Keillor
Kitaro (JASRAC)
Korn
Dave Koz
Nathaniel Kunkel
Patti LaBelle
Amel Larrieux
Glenn Lewis
Mark Levine
Linkin Park
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lonestar
Irving Lorenzo
Patty Loveless
Luis Miguel
Timo Maas (GEMA)
Marilyn Manson
Masters at Work
Donnie McClurkin
Del McCoury Band
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Jim McNeely
Joel McNeely
Pat Metheny
Bette Midler
Ismael Miranda
Molotov
Joel Moss
Newsboys
Bob Norberg
Les Nubians (SACEM)
The Oak Ridge Boys
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
Joe Pace
Dolly Parton
Nicholas Payton
Ray Price
Queens of the Stone Age
Eugene Record
Relient K
Don Rollins
Roomful of Blues
The Roots
Scott Rouse
David Sanborn
Pete Seeger
The Sensational Nightingales
Thomas Z. Shepard
Brian Setzer Orchestra
Sean Smith
Luciana Souza
Los Straitjackets
Micheal Strange, Jr.
Jimmy Sturr
Howard Tate
Susan Tedeschi
Télépopmusik (SACEM)
Jacky Terrasson
Los Tigres Del Norte
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
Caetano Veloso
Rhonda Vincent
Redd Volkaert
Muddy Waters
Charlie Wilson
Gerald Wilson Orchestra
Kim Wilson
Vickie Winans
George Winston
Wayne Wonder
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Yerba Buena
Maury Yeston
Yellowjackets