(Standing) - BMI's Mason Hunter, Cox TV VP of Sales Bill Spell, BMI songwriter Bobby Tomberlin, BMI's Dan Spears, Cox TV President Andy Fisher and BMI songwriter Steve Dorff (at keyboards)

With more than 40 BMI Awards, 11 Billboard #1 Awards, three Grammy nominations, five Emmy nominations and a NSAI Songwriter of the Year crown, Steve Dorff is a versatile songwriter and film/tv composer whose dossier includes nine No. 1 film songs and 15 Top 10 hits, including the Kenny Rogers' classic "Through The Years" and the Anne Murray hit "I Just Fall In Love Again. " He made his breakthrough with the score to the 1978 Clint Eastwood classic Every Which Way But Loose, and is credited with TV themes such as Murphy Brown and Growing Pains.

Grammy-nominated songwriter Bobby Tomberlin wrote the Diamond Rio No.1 single "One More Day", a 2001 BMI Country Award winner and CMA Song of the Year nominee. He is also co-writer of Darryl Worley's Top 10 hit, "A Good Day To Run." Both are certified BMI "Million-Airs" for two million and one million spins, respectively. Other artists who have cut Tomberlin's songs include Chely Wright, Linda Davis, Ty Herndon, Trini Triggs, Billy Dean, Russ Taff and Deana Carter; he has also contributed to three other Diamond Rio albums.

Auction host Big Kenny from Big & Rich puts his auctioning skills to the test with the Willie Nelson-signed showcase guitar	Some of the signed showcase guitars on display in the BMI lobby

Country singer Keni Thomas kicked off the evening with an acoustic performance and the action went live around the world via online bidding and a live three-hour television broadcast. Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz welcomed everyone with a short overview of the project from the stage and BMI's Paul Corbin thanked everyone for coming to the event. Emcee Billy Block kept the crowds warmed up and ready to bid throughout the night.

Some of GuitarTown's 10-foot tall guitar sculptures on display in front of the BMI building

Among the guitar sculptures auctioned off were Dolly Parton's BMI-sponsored "Flutter" guitar, which fetched an impressive $4,200.00, and the Charlie Daniels Band's "Let Freedom Sing" guitar, which went for a whopping $15,600.00.

In addition to hosts Big & Rich, the sold-out evening saw arrivals from musical greats Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Lee Roy Parnell, Whisperin' Bill Anderson, Steve Cropper, Brenda Lee, Chely Wright, Jamie O'Neal, Keni Thomas, Disney recording artists Everlife, Jace Everett, Little Texas, Tracy Lawrence, the Muzik Mafia and Richard Marx.

Nashville's GuitarTown Gala Auction event was the climax of the year-long GuitarTown arts project, which featured 10-foot Gibson guitar sculptures and showcase guitars displayed around Nashville. The project has gained worldwide recognition and has been covered from every corner of the globe. The money raised at the gala will go to help four local charities: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Nashville's United Way and the Downtown District.]]> 2006-03-12T17:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334679 Artists, Anderson, Bill, Big & Rich, Cropper, Steve, Daniels, Charlie, Everett, Jace, Gill, Vince, Parnell, Lee Roy, Parton, Dolly, Wright, Chely BMI country duo Big & Rich have been announced as the hosts of the upcoming GuitarTown Auction Gala being held on Thursday, February 23 at BMI's Music Row offices. The much anticipated event is the culmination of the popular GuitarTown project, a city-wide exhibit of 10-foot tall Gibson Guitar sculptures and other painted guitar art that has been on display throughout Nashville for the past year.

The GuitarTown Auction Gala is a chance to bid on the sculptures and showcase guitars that have gained worldwide recognition, including Dolly Parton's BMI-sponsored "Flutter" guitar and the Charlie Daniels Band's "Let Freedom Sing" guitar, among many others.

Celebrities scheduled to appear at the gala event include Vince Gill, Bill Anderson, Michael McDonald, Tracy Lawrence, Chely Wright, Keith Anderson, Jamie O'Neal, Little Texas, Jace Everett, Brenda Lee, Steve Cropper, Muzik Mafia and Lee Roy Parnell. Rising country star Keni Thomas will also perform at this star-studded charity event.

A limited number of tickets are available for sale to the public for $200 until February 17. Tickets include entrance to the VIP reception and auction, including food and libations, a VIP gift bag filled with sponsor gifts, hob-knobbing with the stars and a chance to walk the red carpet and be on a one-hour television program taping at the event. Bidders can also bid live online on eBay or via television broadcast. To register to bid or for more auction information, please visit Julien's Auctions. For more ticket information, please call 615.871.4500 ext. 2908.

Presented by Gibson Guitar, Nashville's GuitarTown is a public arts project that launched in April 2004, featuring 10-foot tall fiberglass Gibson guitars artistically designed by local and nationally acclaimed visual artists and placed throughout Nashville in front of the city's landmarks and businesses until January 2006. Many of the guitar sculptures are partnered with a country music celebrity and backed by a corporate sponsor. The GuitarTown Project has united the Nashville art, music and business communities behind the cause of raising money for the following four local charities: the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the DISTRICT, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the United Way of Nashville.]]> 2006-02-08T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234223 Artists, Tomberlin, Bobby, Wright, Chely, Musical Styles, Country, Pop, Type, Licensing Bobby Tomberlin performed at the 2004 National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA) dinner held recently at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.

Steve Dorff, who has written over 20 Top 10 country and/or pop hits and nine #1 film songs, is a three-time Grammy nominee and a five-time Emmy nominee. His credits include the Kenny Rogers' classic "Through The Years," TV themes such as "Murphy Brown" and "Growing Pains," and the George Strait smash "I Cross My Heart" from the Pure Country soundtrack. BMI Award-winning writer Bobby Tomberlin, also a Grammy nominee, has had songs recorded by Darryl Worley, Diamond Rio, Chely Wright, Linda Davis and Russ Taff.

Seen after the dinner are BMI's Dan Spears and Darlene Rosado, BMI songwriter Bobby Tomberlin, BMI's Michelle Mazzara, Texas Association of Broadcasters' Ann Arnold and BMI songwriter Steve Dorff.

Click here for photos from BMI's IBMA Nominees Party

The Del McCoury Band

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

The Del McCoury Band received two awards, including a first-time win for Song of the Year, for their recording of the Richard Thompson-penned "1952 Vincent Black Lightning." They also walked away with their sixth award for Entertainer of the Year. Dan Tyminski, a member of Alison Krauss + Union Station as well as a solo artist, earned his second nod for Male Vocalist of the Year. Rhonda Vincent took Female Vocalist honors for the third consecutive year.

Rhonda Vincent

Alison Krauss + Union Station

Jerry Douglas

Album of the Year winner Down From the Mountain was produced by T Bone Burnett and features performances by the Fairfield Four, John Hartford, Alison Krauss + Union Station, Tyminski, The Cox Family, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Chris Thomas King and Colin Linden. The success of the album spawned a national Down From the Mountain tour, which was named Bluegrass Event of the Year.

Ralph Stanley

Mountain Heart

Patty Loveless

Ralph Stanley & Friends picked up a win for Recorded Event of the Year for Clinch Mountain Sweethearts. Produced by Bil VornDick, Stanley's collaborators on the project included Pam Tillis, Gillian Welch, Dolly Parton, Sara Evans, Gail Davies, Chely Wright, Melba Montgomery, Lucinda Williams and Valerie Smith.

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year went to The Journey, by Mountain Heart. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver claimed Vocal Group honors for the second consecutive year.

Instrumental Performer winners included eight-time victor Jerry Douglas (dobro), repeat winner Jim Hurst (guitar) and first-time honoree Tom Adams (banjo).

The 2002 IBMA's Bluegrass Hall of Honor inductees were record executive David Freeman and BMI affliates The Lilly Brothers & Don Stover. In 1952, Bea and Everett Lilly and Don Stover began an 18-year partnership as pioneers in introducing professionally performed southern Appalachian music to the Upper Northeast region of the U.S.

BMI's 2002 International Bluegrass Music Award Winners

Entertainer of the Year
The Del McCoury Band

Vocal Group of the Year
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dan Tyminski

Female Vocalist of the Year
Rhonda Vincent

Song of the Year
"1952 Vincent Black Lightning," The Del McCoury Band (artists), Richard John Thompson [PRS] (writer)

Album of the Year
Down From the Mountain; featuring the Fairfield Four, John Hartford, Alison Krauss + Union Station, Dan Tyminski, the Cox Family, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and Chris Thomas King with Colin Linden (artists); T Bone Burnett (producer)

Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
The Journey, Mountain Heart (artists), Tim Austin and Mountain Heart (producers)

Recorded Event of the Year
Clinch Mountain Sweethearts; Ralph Stanley & Friends, Pam Tillis, Gillian Welch, Dolly Parton, Sara Evans, Gail Davies, Chely Wright, Melba Montgomery, Lucinda Williams and Valerie Smith (artists); Bil VornDick (producer)

Instrumental Performers of the Year

Banjo: Tom Adams

Dobro: Jerry Douglas

Guitar: Jim Hurst]]> 2002-10-29T17:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233136 Artists, Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Keith, Toby, McBride, Martina, McGraw, Tim, Nelson, Willie, Wright, Chely, Musical Styles, Country Country superstars and their sizzling music videos were in the spotlight at the first-ever CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, held June 12 as a kick-off to Nashville's Fan Fair festival. Telecast live on CMT from the Gaylord Entertainment Center, the Flameworthy awards are country music's only fan-voted awards show; more than two million votes were cast on CMT.com.

Tim McGraw

Willie Nelson

Martina McBride

Toby Keith

Dixie Chicks

Brooks & Dunn

Congratulations to these BMI stars who were deemed Flameworthy:

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO VISIONARY AWARD
Awarded for outstanding accomplishment in creating music videos
The Dixie Chicks

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
"Mendocino County Line" by Willie Nelson

FLAMEWORTHY "LOL" (LAUGH OUT LOUD) VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"I Wanna Talk About Me" by Toby Keith

FLAMEWORTHY FASHION PLATE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Jezebel" by Chely Wright

FLAMEWORTHY GROUP DUO OF THE YEAR
"Only In America" by Brooks & Dunn

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"The Cowboy In Me" by Tim McGraw

FLAMEWORTHY FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Blessed" by Martina McBride

Toby Keith

Martina McBride

Brooks & Dunn

Faith Hill

Among the multiple nominees, Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Hill, Alison Krauss & Union Station and McGraw could pick up an additional nomination since all have clips in the running for Flameworthy Video of the Year. The five final nominees will be announced at the beginning of the telecast of the Flameworthy Awards on June 12.

Alison Krauss

Tim McGraw

Montgomery Gentry

keith urban

This premiere CMT event is an unofficial kick-off to the 31st annual Country Music Fan Fair, the world's biggest country music festival. Actress Kathy Najimy ("Sister Act," "Veronica's Closet," "King of the Hill") will host the show on Wednesday, June 12 at 9:00-11:00 PM, ET on CMT: Country Music Television. Fans can vote online at CMT.com through June 9.

Congratulations to these BMI nominees:

FLAMEWORTHY BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Where The Blacktop Ends" keith urban
"I'm Movin' On" Rascal Flatts

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Mark Seliger for "Mendocino County Line" (Willie Nelson)

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
"Easy For Me To Say" Clint Black with Lisa Hartman Black
"Foggy Mountain Breakdown" Earl Scruggs & Friends - Glen Duncan, Randy Scruggs, Steve Martin, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Gary Scruggs, Albert Lee, Jerry Douglas
"Inside Out" Don Henley
"Mendocino County Line" Willie Nelson

FLAMEWORTHY LOVE YOUR COUNTRY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Only in America" Brooks & Dunn
"Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly" Aaron Tippin
"America Will Survive" Hank Williams Jr.
"Riding With Private Malone" David Ball

FLAMEWORTHY "LOL" (LAUGH OUT LOUD) VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"I Wanna Talk About Me" Toby Keith
"When God-Fearin' Women Get The Blues" Martina McBride

FLAMEWORTHY FASHION PLATE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Jezebel" Chely Wright
"There You'll Be" Faith Hill
"Man Of Me" Gary Allan
"Where The Blacktop Ends" keith urban
"Blessed" Martina McBride

FLAMEWORTHY CONCEPT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"My List" Toby Keith
"Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde" Travis Tritt
"Cold One Comin' On" Montgomery Gentry

FLAMEWORTHY GROUP DUO OF THE YEAR
"Only In America" Brooks & Dunn
"I'm Already There" Lonestar
"Cold One Comin' On" Montgomery Gentry
"The Lighthouse's Tale" Nickel Creek
"The Lucky One" Alison Krauss & Union Station

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Let Me Touch You For Awhile" Alison Krauss & Union Station
"The Cowboy In Me" Tim McGraw

FLAMEWORTHY FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"There You'll Be" Faith Hill
"Blessed" Martina McBride
"Saints & Angels" Sara Evans
"Shine" Dolly Parton

FLAMEWORTHY MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"I Wanna Talk About Me" Toby Keith
"The Cowboy In Me" Tim McGraw

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
*Finalists announced on live telecast on June 12
"Only In America" Brooks & Dunn
"There You'll Be" Faith Hill
"I Wanna Talk About Me" Toby Keith
"The Lucky One" Alison Krauss & Union Station
"Angel Boy" Tim McGraw
"Mendocino County Line" Willie Nelson
"Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde" Travis Tritt

keith urban, Phil Vassar, Martina McBride, Creative Artists Agency's John Huie, Faith Hill Creative Artists Agency's Rod Essig

The star-studded, black tie event was presented by the T.J. Martell Foundation and raised more than $145,000 for innovative research into the treatments and cures of leukemia, cancer and AIDS. The Foundation funds cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, the only comprehensive cancer center in Tennessee recognized by the National Cancer Institute.

Marlyce & Paul Corbin of BMI with Marion Williams

Over 140 people attended, including country artists, sports celebrities and prominent music industry executives. Celebrity guests included Faith Hill, Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie, Gary Chapman, Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Alabama's Randy Owen, Blake Shelton, keith urban, Lee Ann Womack, BlackHawk’s Henry Paul, Chely Wright, Tracy Lawrence, Louise Mandrell, Steve Cropper, and NFL defensive tackle Jason Fisk.

Martell Foundation's Tod Minnich, EMI Christian Music Group's Bill Hearn, Charlie Daniels, Martina & John McBride, Randy Owen and Chef Norman Van Aken

The dinner party paired a recording artist with a wine connoisseur to co-host each table. The exotic feast was prepared by guest Chef Norman Van Aken with the assistance of Loews Vanderbilt Hotel’s Executive Chef Elaine Taubin, students from the Tennessee Tech culinary school, Cathy Lewis of Nick of Thyme, Thayer Wine, The Tennessean’s food and wine columnist, and Chef Jason McConnell from F. Scotts.

Theresa & Joe Diffie with Martina & John McBride

Exclusive wines were provided by table hosts Brett and Donna Allen, Tom Black, Greg and Collie Daily, Billy Ray and Joanie Hearn, Irving and Barbara Lingo, Paul and Carla McCombs, Tony and Terry Moorby, David and Anne Morgan, Bill and Rosann Nunnely, Keith and Deborah Pitts, Michael and Janet Richardson, Tim and Mary Schoettle, Ron and Becky Sohr, and David and Phyllis Vandewater.

Pam and Tim DuBois of Universal South, keith urban, Phil Vassar and Julie Wood

Norman’s of Coral Gables is located in Miami, Florida, and was not to be overlooked at this party. The hotel ballroom was transformed to set the mood of a Miami room at sunset. Gary Musick Scenic adorned the room in coral colors and palm trees that were enhanced by a waterfall that served as a backdrop to one of the stages. Tropical floral arrangements from Garden Delights added to the ambiance. On the other stage, the Floridian flair was accentuated by salsa music from Al DeLory & Music Makers.

As one of the originators of fusion cuisine, Chef Norman Van Aken is self-taught and has influenced an entire generation of innovative chefs. His ingredients are the foodstuffs of Southern Florida and the Caribbean: conch, shrimp, grouper and red snapper; black beans, mangoes, coconuts, and keylimes. These ingredients, along with the folk-cooking methods intrinsic to the area, have been melded by Van Aken with classical cooking techniques and traditional elements such has pork loin, foie gras, truffles and lobster. He calls the result New World Cuisine.

As a chef, restaurateur, and author of three cookbooks, Van Aken is one of the most prolific and influential masters of cooking in America today. His restaurant has been recognized by virtually every culinary guide and authority, from the Mobile Travel Guide and Zagat’s to The James Beard Foundation, Gourmet, Conde’ Nast Traveler and Wine Spectator. Chef Van Aken has also been honored with the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence and the Food Arts Silver Spoon Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Highlights from the seven-course menu were the Yuca Stuffed Shrimp with Pickled Habanero Tarter Salsa; Spiced Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Golden Grits, Red Mole, Smoky Plantain Crema and a Spanish Sherry Reduction; Vietnamese Soft Spring Rolls with Tuna Petals, Paw-Paw Slaw and Crushed Peanut-Soy Salsa; Cornbread and Foie Gras Stuffed Roasted Quail with Ancho-Pomegranate Glaze; and New World Banana Split with Macadamia Nut Brittle Ice Cream, Venezuelan Chocolate Sauce and Rhum-Flamed Bananas.

To date the T.J. Martell Foundation has raised over $160 million and funds nine research facilities throughout the U.S. for cutting edge research into the cures and treatment of cancer, leukemia and AIDS. The Martell Foundation was founded in 1975 by music industry executive Tony Martell and his colleagues in memory of his son, T.J., a victim of leukemia, and is nationally recognized for support of research facilities at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles, and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Arriving at the event are Congressman Conyers; Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Executive Director Felice Mancini; BMI's Frances Preston; Michael Kamen; BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, who serves as President of the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation; and Los Angeles attorney Robert Urband.

BMI President and CEO Frances Preston presented the award to Congressman Conyers, saying: “When it comes to statesmen, our nation is truly blessed to have the creative skills of one of America’s great legislators in the service of composers, artists, educators and our children.” Praising Kamen and Wright, Preston added: “Each has used their creativity to develop unique and meaningful programs to enrich the opportunities of school children to explore and learn about music.”

FAME Award recipients Congressman Conyers, Michael Kamen and Chely Wright pose with BMI’s Frances Preston.

Composer Michael Kamen makes a point during the evening’s photo call. From left: Mancini, MENC Executive Director John Mahlmann, Kamen, Ringer Ross, Preston and Wright.