Peter Dawson	Joanna Smith	Jeff Hyde

The BMI "See It Hear First" podcast has become an important tool for exposing new songwriters and artists to key decision makers. To date, over 500,000 listeners have tuned in to BMI's multi-genre podcast series, and more than 5,000 music industry professionals have received the program globally.

Dixie Dirt

The sole rock group in this collection, Dixie Dirt is not what most people would expect from a Tennessee quartet. Based in Knoxville, Dixie Dirt has made a name for themselves as one of the top original rock bands in the region. Podcast #6 features an exclusive interview with the band and a performance of their song, "Badlights."

Originally from Dallas, singer/songwriter Peter Dawson migrated to Nashville to attend Belmont University in the shadow of Music Row and the country music industry. His credentials include more than three years touring throughout Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas, where he recorded his last album in an Austin studio. His rich baritone voice is showcased on "Take Me Home."

Country artist Joanna Smith started dreaming of being an entertainer before she was old enough to attend school in her tiny hometown of Arlington, Georgia. Nicknamed "Peach," she eventually honed her stage skills traveling the state as Miss Teen Georgia America. At the age of 19, she arrived in Nashville determined to learn the business of music. Her BMI podcast song is entitled "South Georgia Lovin'."

The fourth song in the BMI podcast is provided by country singer/songwriter Jeff Hyde, who grew up in Marshall, Texas. With his college degree in hand, he moved to Nashville to join the music business, working at BMI before being lured away to become a staff writer for a music publisher. Hyde contributes "Broken Down" to podcast #6.

All editions of the BMI "See It Hear First" podcast series are available at bmi.com/podcast. You can also download them from iTunes at bmi.com/podcast/itunes as well as from Yahoo's new podcast directory at podcasts.yahoo.com.

Listeners who visit the BMI web site can vote for their favorite podcast artist to help them win a CD duplication package from Disc Makers. Disc Makers is the leading CD manufacturer for the independent musician and offers special packages exclusively for BMI affiliates.

Soon, however, at every opportunity she planted herself there: on a stage at any festival, fundraiser, church and school event that afforded itself to her. Traveling the state as Miss Teen Georgia America in 2002 offered many such opportunities.

Graduating from Early County High School as valedictorian, she entered Auburn University on scholarships but soon the doors of Nashville began to open. At 19 years old, she arrived in Music City in a loaded down Ford Explorer Sport and embarked on a different educational experience: learning the business of music. While working part-time jobs, she began to network on Music Row and discovered the creativity and skills for songwriting. Co-writing appointments and demo work began filling more and more of her time. Her true southern accent carries into her singing voice and flavors it well.

However, her love for the stage remains—performing enthusiastically and encouraging the audience to feel and love the music as deeply as she always has and always will. So, Joanna (nicknamed “Peach” around town) continues to dream and hold fast to the promise in her favorite scripture (Romans 8:28). With a love for God, family, hard work and country music, she presses on to meet goals set at an early age with an attitude expressed in her favorite quote: “Far and away, the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” - Theodore Roosevelt