Such musicality and versatility is likely genetic, or at least reflected by his family background. A great-great grandfather was an opera singer, a grandmother was a songwriter, and a saxophonist grandfather played in the swing bands of such legends as Benny Goodman and Louis Prima.

And now Howes is not just carrying on but extending the family tradition. His first band, the punk/ska/hip-hop outfit DDT, made a splash with an indie label debut that landed them on TMC Records, the Elektra-distributed imprint run by Lars Ulrich of Metallica, and toured with such diverse acts as Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, The Scorpions and DOA.

His next band, Closure, inked a deal with TVT/Universal and landed a song in the Top 30, “Look Out Below,” off their self-titled debut album. Since then, Howes has become a consistent chart presence as a writer and producer.

Extreme Behavior, the album Howes produced for Hinder, was a multi-platinum smash, hitting #6 on the Billboard Hot 200. The single Howes wrote with the band, “Lips of an Angel,” was a Top 10 pop hit for Hinder and a Top 20 country hit for Jack Ingram.

His production work with the Canadian band Hedley resulted in a Canadian platinum album and three #1 singles in Canada that Howes co-wrote with the group, led by Canadian Idol semi-finalist Jacob Hoggard. He has also written with American Idol favorite Chris Daughtry and had songs covered by “Idol” show winners in Germany and Poland.

As a writer, Howes also scored a #1 song in South Africa, “Love the Sinner,” by Justin Bergh, a Canadian Top 10 with the song “Sleepless” by Wave, and two Top 40 Mainstream Rock chart hits by the band Skillet off the album he produced for them, Comatose.

This year has seen the release of Howes-produced albums by Faber Drive (Seven Second Surgery) and Puddle of Mudd (Famous). Recently signed to a co-publishing deal with EMI Music, his is a name that is sure to be seen on the charts and in album credits for years to come.

BMI will pair with the Los Angeles Times to present the second annual “How I Wrote the Song” panel Saturday, February 9, from 1p.m. until 3p.m., at the Key Club in L.A. Mirroring the format of 2007’s sold-out forum, another elite cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody of Evanescence, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes will discuss their work, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners. Moderated by BMI’s Vice President, Writer Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and Los Angeles Times Music Critic Ann Powers, the event is open to the public. Advance tickets are available now for $10 through Ticketmaster at www.keyclub.com or the Key Club box office; day-of admission at the door will be $20.

Grammy Award-winner Rodney Jerkins’s creative dexterity materializes in distinct but diverse musical triumphs. The pen behind take-charge smashes including Destiny Child’s “Say My Name,” Brandy & Monica’s duet “The Boy is Mine” and Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu,” Jerkins has also produced work by contemporary superstars including Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child. His unerring ear led to a vice president of a&r position with Island Def Jam, while Janet Jackson’s forthcoming project Discipline features his signature production.

American Idol alum Chris Daughtry has brazenly staked a record-breaking place in contemporary music, confidently fronting the aptly titled rock band Daughtry. The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter signed with RCA and management powerhouse 19 Entertainment after his fan-propelled success on American Idol, and his band’s eponymous debut sold more than 1 million copies in only five weeks. The projectile success of the album, featuring songs “It’s Not Over,” “Home” and “Over You,” resulted in the fastest-selling debut in the history of SoundScan.

Rapper, actor, musician and activist, Mos Def’s sheer versatility places him amongst contemporary pop culture’s premier creators. Musically, his work includes blithe collaborations with legendary group De La Soul and artist Talib Kweli. Def’s partnership with Kweli, the duet album Black Star, resulted in underground frenzy and glowing critical praise. His subsequent solo album, Black on Both Sides, produced more of the same. Nominated for two Grammys, Def also boasts Golden Globe, Emmy and Source award nods.

Serial hitmaker Ben Moody first gained recognition as guitarist and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning group Evanescence. His output during and after the band has further exposed an adroit singer/songwriter capable of powerful hooks and lush layers; songs including Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal,” along with Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” sprang from Moody’s id. Collaborations as a producer with Clarkson, Celine Dion, Bo Bice and Lindsey Lohan further emphasize his seemingly limitless versatility.

Super producer and innovative songwriter Polow Da Don’s quintessential hip factor springs from authentic skill. His innate musical savvy has finessed infectious hits including Fergie’s “Glamorous,” the Pussy Cat Dolls’ “Buttons,” Ciara’s “Promise” and Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love Song.” Fergie’s enthusiastic shout out, “Polow!” on her smash “London Bridge,” made Da Don’s fluid alias a pop culture catch phrase, adding household recognition to the power player’s growing reputation.

Singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton’s blend of old-school soul and cool contemporary grit is artist’s art in the best sense of the phrase: Members of the neo-soul and poetic hip hop elite including D’Angelo, Tupac Shakur and Eve have looked to Hamilton for backup harmonies, while the North Carolina native’s critically-acclaimed solo work has landed on arguably avant-garde projects including the American Gangster film soundtrack. His 2007 effort, Southern Comfort, features eleven new songs all written by Hamilton.

Brian Howes' life in music did not come as a surprise with a great-great grandfather who was a baritone opera singer, a grandmother who was a songwriter, and a grandfather who played alto sax for swing band greats Benny Goodman and Louis Prima, his career choice was practically predetermined. As part of punk-ska-rap band DDT early on in his career, Brian toured with bands such as Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, The Scorpion and DOA. Post DDT, he penned hits and earned placements in several movies all while maintaining number 1 and top 10 international hits. Brian then added production to is arsenal and has had success by writing and producing with Grammy-nominated Atlantic band Skillet amongst others. Brian’s recent success has included collaborations with Kara Dioguardi, Shelly Piken, Chad Kroeger, Hinder and Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame for his RCA Records Album.

Check out details on BMI's activities at SXSW.

Visit the official SXSW2007 website.

On the eve of their 20th anniversary, Public Enemy - one of music's most influential and important groups - shows no signs of slowing down. Their messages are as urgent and compelling as ever, and their performances just as electrifying. The legends have embarked on more than 55 tours and performed over 1,300 concerts for fans in 45 countries. Boasting three certified multi-platinum albums, three gold albums, four gold singles and a platinum-selling home video, Public Enemy continues to blaze musical and technological trails with new songs and new media, pulling rap music into the future, all while keeping its musical roots firmly intact. Since the group burst onto both the rap and pop music world in 1987 with their first single, "Public Enemy #1," their startling combination of Chuck D's commanding orations and Flava Flav's show-stopping antics to keep the message entertaining set the pace for hip-hop, both in the studio and live. Performing with a live band over the last five years, Public Enemy's trademark "noise" is louder than ever.

Ozomatli's signature sound crosses genre and language barriers with a thundering Spanish/English hybrid of salsa, hip-hop, cumbia, dub and Middle Eastern funk. Since the group's conception in 1995, Ozomatli has released five albums, all the fruits of relentless gigging, personal tribulations and musical maturation. 2007's Don't Mess with the Dragon finds the group's co-founders still at its core, more congruous and appreciative of each other's strengths. With veteran Latin producer KC Porter at the helm, Don't Mess with the Dragon provides a dazzling display of Ozomatli's style-bending concoctions. The group's effervescent dedication to shedding light on social injustices remains audible in new tracks like "Temperatura" and "Magnolia Soul," while genre-twisting experiments including "After Party," "La Segunda Mano" and the title track illustrate Ozomatli's contemporary relevancy and hit-making know-how.

Politically charged hip-hop forefathers X-Clan relay passionate messages with enlightened lyrics and infectious grooves. The early 90s saw co-founders Grand Verbalizer Funkin' Lesson Brother J, Professor X the Overseer, Sugar Shaft the Rhythm Provider and Grand Architect Paradise release two groundbreaking LPs, To The East Blackwards and Xodus. Hits including "Funkin' Lesson," "Heed the Word of the Brother" and "Raise the Flag" were dance-inducing conduits for the messages of figures including Malcolm X and Sonny Carson. Following the success of their first two albums, X-Clan took an extended hiatus, choosing to focus on individual projects and recording endeavors. During this time, the group's architect Professor X passed away. Now led by Professor X protégé Brother J, the X-Clan revitalization began with the release of a brand new album, Return from Mecca, in 2006.