Other top award winners were songwriters Amund Bjørklund and Espen Lind (both members of Norwegian performing right society TONO and represented in the U.S. by BMI), along with Ne-Yo, who received the prestigious Robert S. Musel Award for Song of the Year for Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable.” The song is published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd./Stellar Songs Ltd.; the song and songwriters also received the BMI Urban Song of the Year prize earlier this year.

Modest Mouse’s “Dashboard” earned BMI’s College Song of the Year crown for tallying the most performances on American college radio. The infectious lead single off the band’s We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank album, “Dashboard” was co-written by Johnny Marr (PRS), Tom "King Sour" Peloso and Joe Plummer and published by Chrysalis Music.

The BMI Dance Award went to Ian Dench and Amanda Ghost (PRS) for “Beautiful Liar,” recorded by genre-bending combo Beyoncé and Shakira. “Beautiful Liar” was published by Bucks Music Group Ltd. (PRS), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS) and Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS).

Prestigious “Million-Air” certificates were also presented throughout the evening in recognition of those songs that have achieved more than three million U.S. radio and television performances — the equivalent of more than 17 years of continuous airplay. The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” co-penned by Sir Mick Jagger (PRS) and Keith Richards (PRS), and Eric Clapton’s (PRS) “Layla,” co-written by Clapton and Jim Gordon, both topped the list with seven million performances each, while John Lennon’s (PRS) self-penned “Imagine” was recognized for six million performances. Five-million performance honorees included “Higher Love” co-penned by Steve Winwood (PRS) and Will Jennings; Graham Lyle’s (PRS) “What’s Love Got To Do With It”; and “You Really Got Me,” composed by BMI Icon Ray Davies (PRS). BMI Icon Steve Winwood also composed two more songs in the list: “Gimme Some Loving” (4 million) co-written by Muff Winwood and Spencer Davies (both PRS), and “Valerie” (3 million) which was also co-written by Will Jennings.

Additional award-winners whose compositions soared past the three million performance mark included Shania Twain (PRS), Graham Gouldman (PRS), The Bee Gees’ Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb (all PRS), Sir Paul McCartney (PRS), Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Roxette’s Per Gessle (STIM), Mats Persson (STIM), Paul Herman (PRS), Mort Shuman (SACEM), Wally Badarou (SACEM), Stig Anderson (STIM), and ABBA’s Benny Andersson (STIM) and Björn Ulvaeus (BUMA).

In addition to winning Dance Song of the Year, “Beautiful Liar” garnered BMI Pop and Urban Awards for writers Ian Dench and Amanda Ghost (both PRS); Dench and Ghost also scored Pop Awards for Jordin Sparks’ “Tattoo,” and College Song of the Year “Dashboard” garnered Pop Awards for its creative hive. Kanye West’s “Stronger,” co-written by West, Thomas Bangalter (PRS), Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (PRS) and Michael Dean, earned awards in both Pop and Urban categories as well, as did Song of the Year “Irreplaceable.” Iconic rocker Pete Townsend (PRS) garnered three awards in the TV Music Awards field, while KT Tunstall (PRS) and Julieta Venegas (SGAE) each secured two awards in the Pop and Latin fields, respectively. Composers Rupert Gregson-Williams and George Fenton (both PRS), also earned two awards each: Gregson-Williams in the Film category and Fenton in Film and Emmy Award-winning divisions.

A complete list of award winners is available here.

BMI staged its 55th Annual Pop Awards on May 15, honoring the Bee Gees as Pop Icons; Kara DioGuardi and Sean Garrett as Songwriters of the Year; “Because of You” as Song of the Year; and Warner/Chappell Music as Publisher of the Year. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President/General Manager, Los Angeles, Barbara Cane and held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, the black-tie, invitation-only dinner recognized the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most performed pop songs from BMI’s catalog of more than 6.5 million compositions.

BMI Pop Awards Song List

A highlight of the ceremony was the musical tribute to legendary singing trio the Bee Gees. The brothers Gibb were honored as BMI Icons for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Accepting the awards were Barry and Robin Gibb, and Yvonne Gibb, wife of the late Maurice Gibb. The tribute saw American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee perform “Immortality,” Bebe Winans singing a medley of “Nights on Broadway” and “How Deep Is Your Love” and Kelly Rowland performing “Emotion.” The musical partnership of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb has produced some of the most timeless songs ever written, including “Night Fever,” “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” “Staying Alive,” “I Started a Joke,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Jive Talkin,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “Run To Me.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees signature three-part harmony has endured for more than four decades, and with this award they join an elite list of previous BMI Icons that includes Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Dolly Parton and Carlos Santana.

Kara DioGuardi and Sean Garrett tied for the coveted BMI Songwriter of the Year title, placing three songs each in the most performed list of 50. The trio of tracks earning DioGuardi her first Songwriter of the Year Crystal includes “Real Thing” (Bo Bice),“Walk Away” (Kelly Clarkson) and “I’m Feeling You” (Santana featuring The Wreckers). Tonight marked her seventh BMI award; she received a BMI Latin Award in March. Garrett picked up his first Pop Songwriter of the Year Crystal for penning “Run It!” (Chris Brown), “Check On It” (Beyoncé featuring Slim Thug) and “Grillz” (Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp). Garrett now holds 12 BMI Awards in both the Pop and Urban categories, including being named one of the BMI Top 10 Urban Producers at last year’s honors.

“Because of You,” co-written by BMI songwriters Ben Moody and David Hodges, along with Kelly Clarkson, and published by 12:06 Publishing, Smellslikemetal Publishing, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. and Dwight Frye Music, Inc., was named BMI Pop Song of the Year for scoring the most airplay of any song on the most-performed list during the award period. “Because of You” earned the trio a huge top ten Billboard Hot 100 hit and the #1 spot on Top 40 radio, where it spent six weeks at the peak position, and was included on Clarkson’s second release, Breakaway.

Warner/Chappell Music (Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. & Unichappell Music, Inc) claimed its BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize with 11 songs on the top 50 list and the highest percentage of copyright ownership of this year’s awards. Warner/Chappell Music CEO Dave Johnson accepted the company’s 13th BMI Pop Publisher of the Year Crystal.

BMI also recognized the performance achievements of two other songs: “Miss Murder,” which earned Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for AFI’s Hunter Burgan, Adam Carson, Davey Havok, Jade Puget and Ex Noctem Nacimur Music (publishers); and “You’re Beautiful,” BMI’s Internet Song of the Year award for songwriters James Blunt (PRS), Amanda Ghost (PRS), Sacha Skarbek (PRS), and David Platz Music, Inc., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc., for tallying the most hits on BMI-licensed web sites during the award period.

Taking home two BMI Pop Awards each were Fall Out Boy’s Andrew Hurley, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Pete Wentz; Mariah Carey; Ne-Yo; and Nickelback members Daniel Adair, Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger and Ryan Peake (all SOCAN). Publishing companies EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing (Irving Music/Songs of Universal, Inc./Universal-Songs of Polygram International, Inc.), BMG Music Group (Killer Tracks/Zomba Songs), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, K’Stuff Publishing, Chicago X Softcore Songs, Rye Songs, and Super Sayin’ Publishing were each cited for multiple award-winning songs.

The BMI Foundation’s 10th Annual John Lennon Scholarship was presented to 21-year-old Berklee College of Music student Emily Shackelton. A native of Northern Minnesota, she was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for her song “Goodbye” by the Foundation. Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation and matched by generous donations from Gibson Musical Instruments, the John Lennon Scholarship program recognizes the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24.

High-resolution photos will be available on May 16 at press.bmi.com. To request access, please contact mediarelations@bmi.com.

BMI Icons are selected because of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” The Bee Gees join an elite list that includes Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Brian Wilson, James Brown, Carlos Santana and Dolly Parton, to name just a few.

Collectively, Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb boast 109 BMI Pop, Country and Latin Awards. Barry received four BMI Songwriter of the Year awards; Robin shared two of these with him. The trio claims four BMI Song of the Year wins for “Night Fever,” “Too Much Heaven” and the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet “Islands in the Stream,” which won in both the pop and country categories. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members have earned international industry accolades, including the prestigious Grammy “Legend” Award. Maurice Gibb’s passing in 2003 led to the Gibbs’ decision to cease performing as the Bee Gees, but their music lives on, enriching generation after generation.

In addition to the Icon, BMI will recognize Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year during the evening, along with the recipient of the BMI Foundation’s John Lennon Scholarship. Pop Award winners from previous years include Maroon 5, R. Kelly, Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Pharrell Williams, Michelle Branch, Lil Jon, the Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, and Sheryl Crow.

A few weeks ago, I found myself in the unusual position of speaking to the European Commission in Brussels. As a member of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, I was there to speak in the name of CISAC, the international body representing authors' societies. The commission is conducting a review of the licensing of creators' rights, which directly affects the income of millions of creators worldwide. It was therefore our job to explain the vital role that collection societies play in enabling us, the creators, to collect revenue that is rightfully ours.

Collection societies frequently get bad press as abusive faceless monopolies acting against consumers and, indeed, authors' interests. Nothing could be further from the truth. European collection societies were set up by authors as nonprofit organizations and are run by the authors, composers and publishers who are their members to administer their rights. Of course, the societies have never been popular with the big multinational commercial broadcasters and other music users who are constantly trying to cut their own "costs" at our expense. At the hearing in Brussels, it was perfectly clear that they wished to devalue copyright in order to benefit their shareholders. It was less clear where the consumer or any author would benefit.

Crucial to societies - and the 23 million creators whom they represent - are the reciprocal agreements between them, which make up the network that enables each society to offer in its own territory the entire world's music repertoire. This system has benefited me and my fellow creators in at least two ways.

This network is central to my work as a songwriter, not a performer. I have co-written many songs with my brothers over the years such as "Chain Reaction" for Diana Ross and "Heartbreaker" for Dionne Warwick. Without this system there is no way that we would have been able to receive a fair reward in all countries for our work as writers.

Secondly, in these days of multinational copyright users, the network creates collective bargaining power, which affords authors less well-known than me some chance to receive an equitable reward for their works. With increased threats to the creative community, the agreements between collection societies, which underpin the network, are more essential than ever.

A ludicrous idea voiced at the hearing was that competition between authors' societies in the grant of licenses to users would somehow benefit creators. If a user were able to obtain clearance rights for my song "Night Fever" from 24 competing organizations, which organization do you think the user would choose? The user would, of course, choose the organization offering the cheapest possible price. What interest would I have in such a scenario? I might be in a strong enough position to personally fight this reduction in value by withdrawing my rights from societies that undercut each other, but other creators less well-known would be stuck.

Royalty devaluation will also inevitably lead to cultural devaluation. As a creator who has benefited from the strength of the Anglo-American repertoire, I have no doubt that my genre of music would survive competition - albeit financially decimated. But have a thought for Europe's cultural diversity that would be seriously jeopardized if the current system of collective management of creators' rights were destroyed.

The commission is currently threatening to fine collection societies for infringement of competition laws as if they were another Microsoft. In reality, they are nonprofit-making organizations and fining them is fining every creator throughout Europe. Most artists are dependent on royalties and it is desperately unfair to have their livelihoods threatened by an external party claiming to champion their cause.

I sincerely hope that the European Commission understood my message and will continue to listen to the voice of creators before taking any decision. It is above all a question of avoiding the erosion of the authors' negotiating position in the sole interest of a small band of very powerful broadcasters.]]> 2006-07-19T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233713 Cream, Dozier, Lamont, Fat Joe, Gibb, Robin, Gotti, Irv, Holland, Brian, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Ja Rule, Lennon, John, Linkin Park, Lopez, Jennifer, Nickelback, Ono, Yoko, Robson, Wade, Shakira, Williams, Pharrell, Wilshire, Pop, R&B, Foundation, BMI Pop Awards

BMI saluted the past year's 50 most performed songs during the 51st Annual BMI Pop Awards tonight, with superlatives reserved for Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" as Song of the Year, Irv Gotti as Songwriter of the Year and EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. as Publisher of the Year. Frances W. Preston, President & CEO, and Barbara Cane, Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, presented BMI Citations of Achievement during the dinner event honoring the writers and publishers of the top 50 songs. A highlight of the gala, staged at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, was the awarding of the BMI ICON honor to the songwriting trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland in recognition of their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers."

Holland-Dozier-Holland Bio

BMI Pop Awards Song List

BMI Pop Awards Photos

Seen at the BMI Pop Awards are Irv Gotti; BMI's President and CEO, Frances W. Preston; Eddie Holland; Lamont Dozier; Chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing, Martin Bandier; Brian Holland More photos

"How You Remind Me" earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year Crystal for songwriters Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Ryan Vikedal (all SOCAN) of Nickelback and publisher Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; this distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. A #1 single from Nickelback's Roadrunner Records album Silver Side Up, "How You Remind Me" has also been certified as a BMI Million-Air at more than two million performances.

Holland-Dozier-Holland Watch Video

Nickelback

Irv Gotti placed five titles on the Most Performed List of 50 to reap the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year reward. The songs earning Gotti the crown were "Always On Time" (Ja Rule featuring Ashanti), "Foolish" (Ashanti), "I'm Real (Jennifer Lopez with Ja Rule), "Livin' It Up" (Ja Rule featuring Case), and "What's Luv?" (Fat Joe featuring Ashanti). Gotti also shared the Songwriter of the Year title at the 2002 BMI Urban Awards held last year in Miami.

Irv Gotti

Linkin Park

With 16 songs cited, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize; Martin Bandier, Chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing, accepted the crystal obelisk. The Publisher of the Year accolade is given to the publishing concern with the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. EMI-Blackwood's top performing tunes were "Days Go By," "Don't Let Me Get Me," "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)," "Hella Good," "Hot In Herre," "If You're Gone," "Irresistible," "Mad Season," "Only Time," "Peaches & Cream," "So Complicated," "Superman (It's Not Easy)," "Thank You," "U Don't Have To Call," "Underneath Your Clothes" and "Wasting My Time."

Of the 70 songwriters recognized, 15 in addition to Gotti were multiple winners. Ja Rule collected four Citations and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger (SOCAN) and Pharrell Williams, three each. Double honorees were Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Wade Robson, Shakira, Mike Shinoda, Scott Stapp, Rob Thomas, Mark Tremonti and Nickelback's Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Ryan Vikedal (SOCAN).

Publishers gathering three or more awards were Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Ensign Music Corporation; DJ Irv Publishing; Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc./Zomba Songs Inc.; Slavery Music; Sony/ATV Music Group; and Waters of Nazareth Publishing.

"In The End" by Linkin Park enjoyed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriters Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn and Mike Shinoda of the group. (The song was also co-written by band member Chester Bennington.) Included on Linkin Park's Warner Bros. album Hybrid Theory, "In The End" is published by Big Bad Mr. Hahn Music, Kenji Kobayashi Music, Nondisclosure Agreement Music, Rob Bourdon Music, and Zomba Songs Inc.

Lamont Dozier and Brian & Eddie Holland - among the most successful and influential songwriters in popular music history - were lauded as BMI ICONs. The legendary trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland - principal creators of the early Motown sound - has 76 BMI Pop and R&B Awards to their credit and their songs have tallied more than 100 million broadcast performances. Among the classics that have elevated them to ICON status are: "Baby Love," "Stop! In The Name Of Love," "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch," "You Can't Hurry Love," "Reach Out, I'll Be There," "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You," "Reflections" and "You Keep Me Hanging On."

Another special presentation was the announcement of Jaide Fried as the 1st Place winner of the 2003 John Lennon Scholarship Awards. A graduating senior at the University of Miami where she majored in Studio Music and Jazz, Fried earned a scholarship for her song, "Love Me Tonight." Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, the John Lennon Scholarship Awards recognize the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24. The BMI Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants.

Five of the 2003 top Pop are repeat achievers: "Emotion," first honored in 1978 for writers Barry and Robin Gibb, and last year's winners "Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)," "Follow Me," "Hanging By A Moment," "If You're Gone," "I Hope You Dance" and "Thank You."

BMI's Citation of Achievement is given annually in recognition of popularity in the field of popular music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television; this year's Pop Awards eligibility period ran October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002.]]> 2003-05-13T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233116 3 Doors Down, Amazed, Arnold, Brad, Austin, Dallas, Babyface, Berry, Chuck, Bolton, Michael, Bryant, Del, Carey, Mariah, Diddley, Bo, Evan and Jaron, Gibb, Robin, Gibbons, Billy, Groban, Josh, Hardson, Tre, Jackson, Janet, Jennings, Will, Lifehouse, Little Richard, Mirwais, Neville, Ivan, Parton, Dolly, Roberts, Matt, Rooney, Rooney, Cory, Staples, Mavis, Thorogood, George, Twain, Shania, Wilshire, Country, Pop, Rock, Feature, BMI Pop Awards BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most performed songs during the 50th Annual BMI Pop Awards tonight, with superlatives reserved for Rob Thomas’s song “If You’re Gone,” songwriter Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down and Universal Music Publishing. Frances W. Preston, President & CEO, and Barbara Cane, Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, handed out BMI Citations of Achievement to more than 150 writers and publishers during the dinner event, which culminated in the announcements of Song, Songwriter, Publisher and College Song of the Year. A highlight of the golden-anniversary gala, staged at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, was the presentation of the first BMI ICON Awards to Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard in recognition of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”

Little Richard; Frances W. Preston, BMI President & CEO; Chuck Berry; and Bo Diddley

“If You’re Gone” earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year crystal for songwriter Rob Thomas of matchbox twenty and publishers Bidnis, Inc. and EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. This distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. A #1 single from matchbox twenty’s Lava/Atlantic album Mad Season, “If You’re Gone” brings Thomas’s BMI Awards total to 11. With this win, Thomas, who was named 1999 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, joins an illustrious list of those who have taken both Song and Songwriter trophies, including Stephen Bishop, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Barry and Robin Gibb, Will Jennings, Bert Kaempfert (GEMA), Dolly Parton, Carole Bayer Sager and Shania Twain.

Rob Thomas

Brad Arnold

Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down placed four songs on the Most Performed List of 50 to collect the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year reward. From the band’s debut album The Better Life on Republic/Universal Records, the songs earning Arnold the crown were “Be Like That,” “Duck and Run,” “Kryptonite” (2nd award) and “Loser.”

BMI's Barbara Cane, Universal Music Publishing's David Renzer, BMI's Frances W. Preston, Songwriter of the Year Brad Arnold, BMI's Del Bryant and Universal Music Publishing's Tom Sturges

With 11 songs cited - including Arnold’s four - Universal Music Publishing (through its companies Irving Music, Songs of Universal, Inc., and Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.) claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize; David Renzer, President, Worldwide Universal Music Group, accepted the crystal obelisk. The Publisher of the Year title is given to the publishing concern with the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. Universal’s other top performing tunes were “All Or Nothing,” “Breathe,” “Breathless,” “Change Your Mind,” “Hemorrhage (In My Hands),” “Play” and “Ride Wit Me.”

Johnny Lang performing during the Chuck Berry tribute

3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold shows off his Songwriter of the Year crystal

Of the 86 songwriters recognized, ten, in addition to Arnold, were multiple winners. Placing three songs each on the list were 3 Doors Down members Todd Harrell and Matt Roberts and previous songwriter victors Janet Jackson (1990) and Cory Rooney (2000); double honorees were Mirwais Ahmadzai, 3 Doors Down’s Chris Henderson, and Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith.

Little Richard and Ivan Neville (Neville performed the Little Richard tribute)

Publishers gathering three or more awards were Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Escatawpa Songs, Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Black Ice Publishing, Cori Tiffani Publishing and Ensign Music Corporation.

Mavis Staples

“Hanging By A Moment” grabbed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriter Jason Wade of Lifehouse. The song, from Lifehouse’s debut DreamWorks album No Name Face, is published by G-Chills Music and Songs of DreamWorks.

Josh Groban and Chuck Berry

Among this year’s honorees, 15 songs have earned the status of BMI Million-Air (accumulating at least one million broadcast performances) for a total of more than 22 million performances. Based on an average length of three minutes, one million airplays is the equivalent of 50,000 hours or 5.7 years, continuously. Million-Airs on the 2001 list translate into over 1.1 million hours or 125.4 years of airplay.

BMI's Tracie Verlinde (2nd left) and Myles Lewis (right) with members of Lifehouse

Five of the 50 top Pop are repeat achievers. “Amazed” collected its third consecutive Pop Award; the 2000 BMI Country Song of the Year has accrued nearly four million performances. Four songs picked up second Awards: last year’s honorees “Kryptonite,” “With Arms Wide Open” and “Breathe” (also Pop Song of the Year), and “Lady Marmalade,” first recognized in 1975.

BMI songwriter/producer Dallas Austin, BMI Board member Frank Melton and Chuck Berry

BMI’s Citation of Achievement is given annually in recognition of popularity in the field of popular music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television. This year’s Pop Awards' eligibility period ran October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001.

Evan and Jaron

High-resolution photos are available for downloading on the BMI Media Relations web site at press.bmi.com.

ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Bo Diddley

Tatiana Litvin, BMI songwriter Tre Hardson, BMI songwriter Dallas Austin, BMI's Catherine Brewton, Jody Gerson and actor Orlando Jones

George Thorogood

members of CrazyTown