Most recently, Griffin had the opportunity to write "New Glory: An American Anthem" for President Clinton's entrance at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Televised worldwide, this theme was also picked up for use on CNN's Talkback Live as their new main theme. Ironically, that piece of music was originally written for Fox as a cue they might have used for an obituary piece on Ronald Reagan.

"They're always trying to plan coverage," said Griffin, and after submitting the piece to producers Harry and Linda Bloodworth Thomason, the piece was "lightened up" and used for Clinton's walk.

Currently, John is working with a lyricist on some musical compositions, and an album of Millionaire-inspired songs, which includes his remix of the original British show's theme, has just been released.

Shown congratulating Griffin (second from right) are (l-r): BMI's Charlie Feldman, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations; Millionaire host Regis Philbin; and BMI's Alison Smith, Vice President, Performing Rights.

Photo: Chuck Pulin

BMI last night honored the composers and songwriters of the music in the top-grossing films of the year and the top-rated prime-time network television shows at its annual Film & Television Awards dinner. Held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, the black tie gala was hosted by BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston. More than 52 awards were given out during the ceremonies.

The highlight of the evening was the prestigious Richard Kirk Award, which was presented to composer Thomas Newman in recognition for Outstanding Career Achievement. Newman, a four time Oscar nominee and BAFTA award winner, has scored such films as The Shawshank Redemption, The Horse Whisperer, The Player, Little Women, Fried Green Tomatoes, American Beauty, The Green Mile, Phenomenon, American Buffalo, The People Vs Larry Flynt, Oscar and Lucinda, and many others. The youngest son of legendary composer Alfred Newman, Thomas studied composition and orchestration at USC, completing his academic work at Yale. He scored his first film, Reckless, at the age of 29, and his reputation for originality and for intensifying mood and character grew with his work on such films as Gung Ho, Scent Of A Woman, Citizen Cohn and many others.

Directors Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption) and Jon Avnet (Fried Green Tomatoes, George of the Jungle) sent video messages congratulating him on his award. Darabont said, "Tom's music has added an enormous amount to both The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. He is a quote 'storyteller' and that's what he views his job as - which is wonderful. He manages to elicit an enormous amount of the emotional content of the film�without being obvious. He gives you something a little unexpected but yet you're in tears by the end of it. He's quite brilliant that way."

Avnet described Newman as, "Basically my voice on a certain level." Described as an open, collaborative and devoted composer who brings his small children to the conducting stand at times, Avnet said, "He creates a kind of visceral situation whereby you're able to experience the narrative - you won't see in Tom's music a lot of stings and hits and 'look at me.' Instead, you'll see a kind of airy weave that allows you to feel what's going on. He doesn't point, and that's part of what I like about his work. "

Composers receiving multiple Film Music Awards for their work included Newman for The Green Mile, American Beauty and Erin Brockovich; and Jerry Goldsmith for The Haunting and The Mummy.

BMI Composers who received Film Music Awards included John Williams for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace; George S. Clinton for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me; David Arnold for The World Is Not Enough; Mark Mancina for Tarzan and Teddy Castellucci for Big DaddyM.

"Fortunate" from LIFE was named The Most Performed Song From A Motion Picture. "Fortunate" was written by R. Kelly and published by R. Kelly Publishing, Inc. and Zomba Songs, Inc

The composers of the top-rated network prime-time television shows were also feted. Amongst those receiving multiple Television Music Awards were W. G. "Snuffy" Walden for Providence, The West Wing and The Drew Carey Show; Bruce Miller for Frasier andBecker; and Mike Post for NYPD Blue and Law and Order. Composers receiving Television Music Awards included Ian Dye for NYPD Blue; Martin Davich for ER; Allee Willis for Friends; Marc Lichtman for Touched By An Angel; Darryl Phinnessee for Frasier, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Bennett Salvay for Providence; John Griffin for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire; John Flansburgh and John Linnell for Malcolm In The Middle; Dennis C. Brown forDharma & Greg; and Peter Scaturro for The Practice.

BMI's Emmy Award winning composers were also honored, including Richard Hartley, Alice In Wonderland; Martin Davich, Trinity; Carl Johnson, Invasion America - Final Mission; Julie Bernstein, Steve Bernstein, Tim Kelly and Richard Stone for Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs; Gary Kuo, AJ Gundell and Dominic Messinger for All My Children; and Laura Karpman for The Living Edens: Madagascar.

BMI, founded in 1940, is an American performing rights organization which represents more than 250,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music. Through its music performance and reciprocal agreements, it grants businesses and media legal access to it repertoire of more than 4.5 million musical works from around the world.

Below is a complete listing of composers and songwriters who received awards at BMI's Film & Television Awards.

Richard Kirk Award

Thomas Newman

BMI Film Music Awards

David Arnold The World Is Not Enough

Teddy Castellucci Big Daddy

George S. Clinton Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Danny Elfman Sleepy Hollow

Jerry Goldsmith The Haunting, The Mummy

Richard Horowitz Any Given Sunday

Mark Mancina Tarzan

Thomas Newman American Beauty, Erin Brockovich, The Green Mile

John Williams Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

Trevor Rabin Deep Blue Sea

Christopher Young Entrapment

BMI Most Performed Song from a Film

R. Kelly "Fortunate" from LIFE

R. Kelly Publishing, Inc. "Fortunate" from LIFE

Zomba Songs, Inc. "Fortunate" from LIFE

BMI TV Music Awards

Dennis C. Brown Dharma & Greg

Martin Davich ER

Ian Dye NYPD Blue

John Flansburgh Malcolm In The Middle

John Griffin Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

Steve Hampton Stark Raving Mad

Mark Heyes Daddio

Corbin Krauss Stark Raving Mad

John Lennon Providence

Marc Lichtman Touched By An Angel

John Linnel Malcolm In The Middle

Paul McCartney Providence

Bruce Miller Becker

Frasier

Darryl Phinnessee Frasier

Mike Post Law and Order

NYPD Blue

Bennett Salvay Providence

Peter Scaturro The Practice

Barrett Strong Family Law

W.G. "Snuffy" Walden Providence

The Drew Carey Show

The West Wing

Allee Willis Friends

Norman Whitfield Family Law

BMI Emmy Award Winners

Martin Davich Trinity

Richard Hartley (PRS) Alice In Wonderland

Carl Johnson Invasion America � Final Mission

Julie Bernstein Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs

Steve Bernstein Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs

Tim Kelly Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs

Richard Stone Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs

A. J. Gundell All My Children

Gary Kuo All My Children

Dominic Messinger All My Children

Laura Karpman The Living Edens: Madagascar