BMI President & CEO Del Bryant; John Williams; and BMI Board Chairman Jack Sander.

Saluted for a “lifetime of brilliant music and performances that have thrilled audiences throughout the world on television, on radio, in concert halls and at the movies,” Williams was recognized as an iconic composer who almost single-handedly popularized cinematic orchestral music. His music has been the lexicon of the broadcasting world for a generation, with his stunning and memorable themes spanning films such as Star Wars, Jaws, E.T. and Superman; and televisions series, shows and specials including Checkmate, Lost In Space and the Olympic Games.

Mike Post, Mac Davis, Charlie Fox, John Williams, BMI President & CEO Del Bryant, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff.

“John Williams is truly America’s composer and conductor,” said Sander. “He has been one of the most influential musicians of our era, introducing audiences worldwide to orchestral music through his themes and scores. One of America’s greatest cultural icons, his melodic gifts helped make the films, television shows and orchestral works he created resonate across the globe.”

Bryant added, “The management and Board of Directors of BMI have chosen John for this honor because of the impact his music has made across all media — broadcast and digital — and the cultural contributions he has made as a composer, musician, conductor, television personality and philanthropist.”

Also at the dinner were renowned songwriter/artist/actor Mac Davis (“Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” “In The Ghetto”), legendary BMI songwriter/composer Charlie Fox (“Killing Me Softly,” Happy Days theme), Philly Soul pioneers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff (“If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Expressway To Your Heart”), prolific television news theme composer Frank Gari (Eyewitness News theme) and multiple Emmy- and Grammy-winner Mike Post (Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue, Law and Order). Joining BMI’s Board of Directors were NAB President & CEO David Rehr, executives and Board members of the NAB, and current and former FCC Commissioners.

The dinner has been held annually during the NAB convention since 1949, when it began as a clambake at Chicago’s Blackstone Hotel. “Over the years the event has become the senior annual meeting place of the broadcast industry,” said Don West, former editor of Broadcasting & Cable, who began attending the dinner in 1960. “Owners and executives of this most competitive industry, who spend their days and nights fighting each other for a quarter of a rating point, were as one . . . once a year. The friendships formed at the dinner extended throughout the years, if not the ages.”

The 2008 Inductees are: Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five, Madonna, John Mellencamp, and The Venturers, Little Walter, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

Pictured after the ceremony are R&B Foundation Chairman Kendall Minter and his guest, BMI's Del Bryant, legendary musician Lloyd Price and R&B Foundation board member Judy Tint.

Two-time Grammy winner Thom Bell, credited as one of the architects of the "Philly Soul" sound, adds this prestigious award to a trophy collection that includes his recent induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Leon Huff, Kenny Gamble, Eddie Holland and Brian Holland gather on stage to reminisce about Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Berry Gordy, Jr.

The R&B Foundation, which honors the genre's greats and seeks to preserve its legacy, revived its Pioneer Awards gala after a three-year hiatus due to money troubles. The organization now has the financial support of both the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania under a plan inspired by legendary BMI producer/songwriter Kenny Gamble, who was in attendance with his "Sound of Philadelphia" writing partner Leon Huff to present the award to Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.

Songwriter Eddie Holland, BMI's Charlie Feldman and Del Bryant, Eddie's daughter and songwriter Brian Holland share a table at a local Philly diner after the gala.

Singers Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson hosted the event at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. In addition to Gamble and Huff, other presenters included BMI Icons Brian and Eddie Holland of Motown songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland, Ashford & Simpson, Bill Cosby, Jerry Butler, Boyz II Men, Bonnie Raitt and Jill Scott.

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is an independent, non-profit service organization whose mission is to foster public recognition and appreciation of rhythm & blues music and the artists who made significant contributions to the birth and development of r&b music, particularly from the 1940s through the 1970s. A year-round endeavor, the R&B Foundation produces the popular Pioneer Awards and administers significant medical and financial assistance endowments to those in need. Officially established in 1988, the Foundation was housed in Washington, D.C. and New York City until the recent move to Philadelphia in April of 2005.]]> 2006-07-09T18:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334827 Artists, Angel, The, Bee Gees, The, Davies, Ray, Gamble, Kenneth, Gorillaz, Huff, Leon, Awards, BMI Foundation Awards, Ivor Novello Awards James Blunt leads the list of winners for the 51st Annual Ivor Novello Awards, held May 25 at the Grosvenor House in London. Presented by the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters in association with the Performing Right Society (PRS), the Ivors honor British songwriters and composers and their contributions to the music industry.

BMI's Brandon Bakshi (center) congratulates brothers Barry and Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees on their 2006 Fellowship Award

Blunt's mega-hit, "You're Beautiful," took home two trophies for Most Performed Work and International Hit of the Year. The angel-voiced singer was also a double winner at the annual Brit Awards held earlier this year.

Scottish newcomer KT Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" was named Best Song Musically and Lyrically, while Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett of virtual cartoon band Gorillaz were named Songwriters of the Year.

Special International Award recipient Leon Huff, BMI's Brandon Bakshi and Special International Award recipient Kenneth Gamble.

Special Ivors were bestowed upon several legendary BMI artists including the Bee Gees, who received the Fellowship Award, the Academy's highest accolade. Brothers Robin and Barry Gibb were on hand to accept the award, which also honored their late brother Maurice, who died in 2003.

"Sound of Philadelphia" songwriting/production duo Leon Huff and Kenneth Gamble picked up the Special International Award for their vast song catalog that includes such R&B classics as "Don't Leave Me This Way," ""You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)," "Love Train" and "Me and Mrs. Jones."

BMI's 2006 Ivor Novello Award winners:

Best Song Musically & Lyrically
KT Tunstall
"Suddenly I See"

PRS Most Performed Work
James Blunt, Amanda Ghost, Sacha Skarbek
"You're Beautiful"

Best Selling U.K. Single
Jorgen Elofsson
"That's My Goal"

International Hit of the Year
James Blunt, Amanda Ghost, Sacha Skarbek
"You're Beautiful"

Ivors Classical Music Award
Sir Harrison Birtwistle

Best Original Film Score
"Evil" composed by Francis Shaw

Songwriters of the Year
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett of Gorillaz

PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music
Ray Davies

Special International Award
Gamble & Huff

Fellowship Award
The Bee Gees

WE BELONG TOGETHER
Darnell Bristol
Mariah Carey
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Sid "Uncle Jamz" Johnson
Patrick L. Moten
Sandra Sully
Bobby Womack
ABKCO Music, Inc.
Ballads By Design Publishing
Hip Chic Music
Mister Johnson's Jams Music
Rye Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Mariah Carey
Island Records

YOU AND ME
Jude Cole
Jason Wade
Dimensional Songs of the Knoll
G-Chills Music
Jude Cole Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Lifehouse
Geffen Records

BMI honored the composers and songwriters of the music from this year's top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network television series at its annual Film & Television Awards dinner. Held May 18 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, the black-tie gala was hosted by BMI President and CEO Del R. Bryant and BMI Vice President Film/TV Relations, Doreen Ringer Ross. More than 100 awards were announced during the ceremonies.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the BMI Richard Kirk award for Outstanding Career Achievement to composer Graeme Revell. Named after late BMI Vice President Richard Kirk, the prestigious award is given annually to the composer who has made significant contributions to film and TV music. Past recipients include John Barry, Randy Edelman, Danny Elfman, Charlie Fox, Jerry Goldsmith, Earle Hagen, Michael Kamen, Alan Menken, Mark Mothersbaugh, Thomas Newman, Mike Post, Lalo Schifrin, Alan Silvestri, Richard and Robert Sherman, W.G. "Snuffy" Walden, John Williams and Patrick Williams.

Graeme Revell	Counting Crows

Revell, a New Zealand native, is in the midst of a historical career in film and television music. With credits including "Sin City," "Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D," "Dead Calm," "The Crow," "The Insider," "CSI: Miami," "The Negotiator," "Blow," "Open Water" and more, he has become known for his blending of traditional ethnic music and ambient sounds. He started his scoring career after picking up on rhythms in patient vocalizations at an Australian hospital for the mentally ill, where he worked as an orderly. His experiments with recordings of human and insect sounds and industrial machinery led him to create the early industrial band SPK. His first score was for director Philip Noyce and producer/director George Miller with "Dead Calm," for which he won an Australian Film Industry Award for Best Score.

Kevin Eubanks	Lalo Schifrin	Stu Phillips

Honoring Revell at the dinner via video messages were directors Robert Rodriguez, Phillip Noyce, Danny Cannon, David Twohy and Carl Franklin, as well as journalist Jon Burlingame. Chucky, the star of the "Chucky" film series for which Revell scored "The Bride of Chucky," narrated the video salute to Revell.

Calling Revell, "...the best secret weapon a director can ever have," director Noyce described working with him on the film "Dead Calm." "Graeme immediately sparked at the material and the opportunity. He hadn't scored a film before, but he had that great composing sense. We wanted a composer who would bring a completely different score to a very elemental movie. Graeme started at the idea of taking sounds that were part of the movie and incorporating them into the score; sound of wind, sound of water.

Mike Post	Pete Townshend

"The movie was completely different once we put Graeme's score in," he added. "He added tension, he added pace, he created drama, and he gave the film a unique aural quality."

Revell's skill at collaboration with the director was a theme that permeated throughout the evening. "Honest," "innovative," "soulful" and "a true renaissance man" were just some of the descriptions that the directors offered. His vast range of musical talents were lauded, including his use of a wide array of ethnic sounds and voices, atmospheric noises and wide ranging knowledge of obscure percussion and voice styles. His encompassing musical style constantly delivers a fresh new sound and approach to each score he has done. Cannon said, "Graeme is modern and he is up to date. That's what is great about him. He is so willing to use new techniques, new inspirations and is always willing to try something different, move the goalposts."

BMI also gave out the award for the Most Performed Song From A Motion Picture to the Counting Crows and their publishing companies for the "Shrek 2" song, "Accidentally in Love." BMI also recognized this year's Emmy Award winners for music.

The first BMI Spotlight Award was given to television composer Frank Gari and the inaugural BMI Classic Contribution Award was presented to the creators of "The Tonight Show" themes, composed by Johnny Carson, Paul Anka and Kevin Eubanks.

With a nod to the digital music age, BMI handed out its first Ringtone Awards for the TV music themes that have become the most-performed songs in the mobile space; the awards went to Stu Phillips for the theme to �Knight Rider� and Lalo Schifrin for the theme to �Mission Impossible.�

Taking home multiple awards at the dinner were past Richard Kirk recipient Mike Post with four Television Awards for the "Law & Order" series "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Law & Order: CI" and "Law & Order: Trial By Jury." Pete Townshend picked up three awards for "CSI," "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: NY." Double winners included Harry Gregson Williams for the films "Shrek 2" and "Man On Fire"; Rolfe Kent for the films "Sideways" and "Mean Girls"; Harald Kloser for "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Alien vs. Predator"; Thomas Newman for "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" and "Six Feet Under"; John Keane for "CSI" and "The Amazing Race 7"; and Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Anthony Jackson, Jeff Lippencott and Mark T. Williams for "The Apprentice 2" and "The Apprentice 3."

BMI writers receive a 15% discount off the standard one-year membership fee of $50. Dues-paying members receive the following exclusive benefits:

• the opportunity to vote (with the exception of Associate Members) in SHOF's annual fall elections to determine who will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the following spring
• the chance to participate in members-only showcase and workshop programs
• a subscription to "Words About Music," the newsletter of SHOF/NAPM
• quarterly NAPM events fliers with information about networking meetings and open mics
• an invitation to the annual SHOF Awards Dinner held each year.

To be entered in the drawing, sign up for membership now through the "Platinum Privileges" zone in the online services area.

BMI has played a vital role in the development and growth of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the list of BMI songwriting greats honored by the organization includes Chuck Berry, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Pete Seeger, Carole King, Sting (PRS), Barry Manilow, Queen, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Emilio & Gloria Estefan, Eric Clapton (PRS), Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Holland-Dozier-Holland and Barry, Maurice & Robin Gibb.

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.

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.

BMI has played a vital role in the development and growth of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the list of songwriting greats honored by the organization includes such notable BMI songwriters and composers as Chuck Berry, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Pete Seeger, Carole King, Sting (PRS), Barry Manilow, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Eric Clapton (PRS), Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Holland-Dozier-Holland and Barry, Maurice & Robin Gibb.

BMI Affiliates can login to the eNet to claim this special offer in our Platinum Privileges area.

Considered a principal architect of the influential "Philly Soul" sound, Bell is arguably best known for his 1970s achievements. But the fact is, the legendary composer-arranger hasn't slowed down or limited his creative scope. Bell arranged several songs on David Byrne's acclaimed 2001 album Look Into The Eyeball. Most recently, many of Bell's songs were featured in the musical stage production Me and Mrs. Jones, starring Lou Rawls and performed at Philadelphia's Prince Music Theater.

Even Madison Avenue has acknowledged the mesmerizing power of Thom Bell's music. Bell's composition "I'll Be Around" has been selected as the theme for the multi-million dollar Chevy Impala advertising campaign. The new Chevy slogan "We'll Be There" was culled from Bell's song, which was popularized by the Spinners in 1972.

It would do a disservice to describe Bell's career as "successful." Consider this: Bell's songwriting and arranging achievements are so voluminous, space prohibits us from listing them all. He co-wrote the Stylistics most memorable hits, including "Stop, Look and Listen," "You Are Everything," "Betcha By Golly Wow," "Break Up To Make Up" and "You Make Me Feel Brand New." Bell was similarly instrumental in the success of the Spinners, co-composing such hits as "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love," "One of a Kind Love Affair," "Mighty Love" and "Rubberband Man," as well as the Spinners/Dionne Warwick duet "Then Came You." His song "Mama Can't Buy You Love" was one of Elton John's most successful tunes, and Bell arranged O'Jays classics like "Back Stabbers," "Love Train" and "For the Love of Money."

The two-time Grammy winner has received numerous BMI accolades, including 11 Pop Awards, four R&B Awards and a total of 16 "Million-Air" certificates for an astounding 10 songs with one million or more broadcast performances. Bell has also been twice honored by Billboard with their Number One Producer award.

Born in Philadelphia in 1941, Bell studied classical piano as a youth. In 1959, he joined Kenny Gamble's harmony group the Romeos and by age 19 he was conducting and arranging for rock & roll dance pioneer Chubby Checker. When manager Stan Watson formed the Philly Groove label in 1968, Bell came aboard and oversaw Delfonics classics like "La La Means I Love You" (1968) and "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time" (1970).

Bell's work with the Delfonics resonated with r&b fans hungry for romantic "slow drag" ballads. When Bell reunited with Gamble and new partner Leon Huff at their newly formed Philadelphia International Records, the classic Philly Soul crystallized in earnest. Seminal hits like Jerry Butler's "Only the Strong Survive" (1969), Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" (1972), and the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes classic "If You Don't Know Me By Now" featured Bell's inimitable arrangements.

Noteworthy for their potent fusion of soaring strings, burnished horns and well-tempered rhythms, Bell's arrangements factored largely in the development of funk and disco. With contemporary artists like Alicia Keys, D'Angelo and Angie Stone reviving the sounds of the '70s, Thom Bell's influence looms larger than ever.