Five years and several hit albums later, he continues to increase his reputation as an international singing star and songsmith. With his latest studio release, Awake, Groban is breaking new ground for himself. “The goal was to put music on the new album that was stylistically different from a lot of things that I’ve done,” he commented in a recent interview.

Inspired by a trip to South Africa, he wrote “Lullaby” with South African native Dave Matthews, featuring the harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Herbie Hancock is on hand to help create the subtle, understated funk of “Machine,” a collaboration with Eric Mouquet and Dave Bassett.

There is also plenty on the album to satisfy fans of Groban’s classic ballad style, such as the beautiful “February Song,” for which he shares writer credits with John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting and Marius De Vries. Groban relates how the song was born one sleepless night: “I walked over to the piano and it just came to me in the most magical way.”

Having achieved success so early, Josh Groban seems committed to discovering all he is capable of. “I feel that we’re in an exciting time when people are ready to accept all sorts of music,” he avers. “I owe it to the crazy success that has happened [to me] not to rest on it — and go where it thrills me.”

Shown at the festival are BMI's Samantha Cox, BMI composer Chris Boardman and director/screenwriter George Gallo.

In his career, Boardman has scored over 30 films and television shows and has orchestrated, arranged and conducted over 100 films, including Swing Kids, Meet Joe Black, Diehard and the Lethal Weapon series. He has also worked on numerous projects with BMI award-winning songwriter/producer David Foster (Josh Groban, Celine Dion). For his efforts, Boardman has earned six Emmys out of 13 nominations, as well as an Academy Award nomination for his score to the film The Color Purple.

Launched in 2002 by the Tribeca Film Institute, the Tribeca Film Festival was created by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro to enable the international film community and the general public to experience the power of film by redefining the film festival experience. The Tribeca Film Festival was founded to celebrate New York City as a major filmmaking center and to contribute to the long-term recovery of lower Manhattan after 9/11.]]> 2006-05-08T18:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334626 Bee Gees, The, Brooks & Dunn, Bryant, Del, Chaplin, Tom, Clapton, Eric, Copeland, Stewart, Davies, Ray, Enya, Gessle, Per, Gregson-Williams, Harry, Groban, Josh, Hollis, Mark, Hughes, Richard, John, Elton, Keane, Kent, Rolfe, Kloser, Harald, Lennon, John, McEwan, Steve, Morrison, Van, Parton, Dolly, Persson, Mats, Santana, Carlos, Sideways, Simon, Paul, Snow Patrol, Sting, Townshend, Pete, Twain, Shania, Wilson, Brian, Winans, Mario, Winwood, Steve, BMI London Awards Del Bryant and BMI Senior Vice President Phil Graham. The invitation-only event was staged in the Ballroom of London's Dorchester Hotel.

BMI London Awards Photo Slideshow

2005 BMI London Awards winners list

2005 BMI London Awards: Million-Airs

"It's My Life," written by Mark Hollis (PRS) and published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd., was named Song of the Year and received the copyright organization's highest accolade, the Robert S. Musel Award. This prestigious award is named for the late Robert Musel, BMI's long-time UK consultant. Originally a hit for 80s synthpop band Talk Talk (of which Hollis was a member), the No Doubt remake also won a Pop Award at the 2004 London Awards and at the 2005 Pop Awards held in Los Angeles.

Mark Hollis	Steve Winwood	Sting

A highlight of the gala celebration was a special tribute to legendary songwriter and recording artist Steve Winwood, who was honored as a BMI Icon for his "enduring influence on generations of music makers." The Grammy Award-winning singer joins a distinguished list of honorees that includes Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana and Dolly Parton, among others.

Per Gessle	Mats Persson

Winwood's 40-plus year career includes international stardom as both a solo artist and as a member of the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith. He penned such classics as the Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'" and Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home"; co-wrote all of Traffic's biggest songs, including "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" and "Dear Mr. Fantasy"; and enjoyed a string of mega-hits in the 80s with BMI Award winners "While You See a Chance," "Valerie," "Back in the High Life Again," "Higher Love," "Finer Things" and "Roll With It."

Rolling Stones	Van Morrison

"Run," written by Snow Patrol members Iain Archer, Nathan Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Jonny Quinn, and published by Big Life Music Ltd. and Kobalt Music Publishing Limited (all PRS), was named BMI's College Song of the Year for tallying the most performances on American college radio. Included on the band's breakthrough album Final Straw, the song peaked at #15 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart. "Run" also received a Pop Award during the ceremony.

Keane	Enya

The BMI Dance Award went to "Listen to Your Heart" written by Per Gessle and Mats Persson and published by Jimmy Fun Music (all STIM). Recorded by Belgium-based duo D.H.T., the song is a remake of the 1989 #1 hit by Roxette, which won a BMI Pop Award in 1990. The D.H.T. version spent several weeks in the Top Ten of the Adult Contemporary, Hot Digital Songs, Pop 100 and Hot 100 Billboard charts, and reached the #25 position on the Hot Ringtones chart. Original Roxette members Gessle and Maria Fredriksson accepted the award; it was the first public appearance by Fredriksson since her recovery from brain cancer.

Snow Patrol	Elton John

Million-Air certificates were also presented throughout the evening in recognition of those songs that have had two million or more U.S. radio and television performances. Topping the list were Sting's "Every Breath You Take," which reached the eight million performance plateau and the Van Morrison classic "Brown Eyed Girl," which won a seven million performance award. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton's "Layla" each earned certificates for six million performances, while "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees was recognized for five million plays.

Sir Elton John (PRS) and writing partner Bernie Taupin took home the night's most Million-Air awards with "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (five million); "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (four million); "Bennie and the Jets" (three million); and Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" (two million). Songs written by the late John Lennon (PRS) also earned multiple Million-Air certificates, including "Let It Be" (five million), "Here, There and Everywhere" (three million) and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (two million).

Other Million-Air winners included the Kinks anthem "You Really Got Me," written by Ray Davies (PRS), which earned a four million performance award; 2002's Song of the Year "Thank You," written by Paul Herman (PRS) and recorded by Dido, with three million plays; and last year's Song of the Year "Forever and For Always" by Shania Twain (PRS), which achieved two million performances. "Forever" is also a two-time BMI Pop Award winner (2003 and 2004) and a 2004 Country Award winner.

In addition to a two million performance certificate for "Behind Blue Eyes," Who guitarist Pete Townshend (PRS) received three TV Music Awards for the themes to CSI, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. Film composers Harald Kloser (AKM) [Alien vs. Predator, The Day After Tomorrow], Harry Gregson-Williams (PRS) [Man on Fire, Shrek 2] and Rolfe Kent (PRS) [Mean Girls, Sideways] each picked up a pair of Film Music Awards, while ex-Police drummer Stewart Copeland (PRS) earned a TV Award for the music to ABC's smash series Desperate Housewives.

Additional awards included a Pop Award to Keane members Tom Chaplin (PRS) and Richard Hughes (PRS) for "Somewhere Only We Know," a Country Award to Steve McEwan (PRS) for the Brooks & Dunn hit "That's What It's All About," Pop and Urban Awards to Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan (all PRS) for the Mario Winans song "I Don't Wanna Know" (featuring P. Diddy and Enya), and Christian and Pop Awards to Brendan Graham (IMRO) for "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban.

Groban’s flirtation with destiny continues on his latest album, Closer . The album sprinted to the Top 10 just months after its release, earning multi-platinum status and spawning the AC hit “You Raise Me Up.” Juxtaposing pop gems like “Remember When It Rains” with Eurocentric tracks like “Oceano” and “Il Postino,” Groban’s new album has brought the singer “Closer” to household word status.

Discovered by veteran record producer David Foster, Groban began his ascent after a last-minute appearance as a stand-in for Andrea Bocelli at the 1999 Grammy Awards dress rehearsal. His duet with Celine Dion won the attention of several influential fans, including Grammy host Rosie O’Donnell. Subsequent performances and appearances on O’Donnell’s talk show, the “Ally McBeal” TV series and the 2002 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony cemented Groban’s reputation as a unique talent in contemporary music.

Groban has since become a television mainstay, appearing on “Good Morning America,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Today Show” and “The Tonight Show,” not to mention a bravura performance at Super Bowl 2004. PBS anointed the singer with his own “Great Performances” special, which the network has used to promote its crucial pledge drives. The special, which spawned the CD/DVD package Josh Groban in Concert , documents the remarkable genesis of a superstar career in the making.

Kanyé West	Sheryl Crow	Norah Jones

Also crossing genres were double nominees Sheryl Crow, up for Favorite Artist in both the pop/rock and adult contemporary fields, and Norah Jones, who will compete with Crow for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, while her sophomore release Feels Like Home got a bid for Favorite Pop/Rock Album.

Toby Keith	Martina McBride	Josh Groban

Country superstar Toby Keith also received two mentions, earning the Favorite Male Artist nod for the second year in a row. His triple platinum smash, Shock'n Y'All, is up for Favorite Country Album, which he won last year for Unleashed. Keith faces fellow BMI country artist Martina McBride, herself a double AMA nominee, in the favorite album category; she is also vying for the Favorite Female Country Artist crown.

Nominations for the American Music Awards are based on sales figures and radio play, and winners are selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners. The 2004 American Music Awards will take place on November 14 in Los Angeles.

Harry Connick, Jr.	Maroon 5

BMI's 2004 American Music Award nominees:

POP/ROCK
Favorite Male Artist
Josh Groban

Favorite Female Artist
Sheryl Crow

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Evanescence
Nickelback

R. Kelly	Evanescence

Favorite Album
Feels Like Home
Norah Jones

SOUL/R&B
Favorite Male Artist
R. Kelly

Favorite Female Artist
Janet Jackson

Tim McGraw	Nickelback

COUNTRY
Favorite Male Artist
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw

Favorite Female Artist
Martina McBride

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Brooks & Dunn
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album
Shock'n Y'All
Toby Keith
Martina
Martina McBride

RAP/HIP-HOP
Favorite Male Artist
Juvenile
Lil' Flip
Kanyé West

Favorite Album
The College Dropout
Kanyé West

ALTERNATIVE
Favorite Artist
Linkin Park

ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Favorite Artist
Harry Connick, Jr.
Sheryl Crow
Norah Jones

LATIN
Favorite Artist
Intocable

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist
Steven Curtis Chapman

BREAKTHROUGH/FAVORITE NEW ARTIST (all genres)
Maroon 5
Kanyé West

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

The XIX Olympic Winter Games aren't just about athletes and world-class competition. The music is world-class, too, and BMI composers are contributing much of what will be heard by a worldwide television audience at the opening and closing ceremonies.

David Foster

John Williams

Kurt Bestor

Michael Kamen

Five-time Oscar winner John Williams has written his fourth Olympic theme, "Call of the Champions." A rousing fanfare that utilizes the full symphonic and choral forces of the Utah Symphony and the 350-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it also is believed to be the first Olympic theme to set to music the ancient motto "citius, altius, fortius" (Latin for "swifter, higher, stronger").

"The Olympics are a wonderful metaphor for world cooperation," says Williams, "the kind of international competition that's wholesome and healthy, an interplay between countries that represents the best in all of us." The composer previously penned themes for the Olympics in 1984, 1988 and 1996, winning an Emmy for his "Summon the Heroes" theme for the '96 games in Atlanta.

Williams will conduct his five-minute piece at the Opening Ceremonies in Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium on Friday, February 8, the composer's 70th birthday.

Salt Lake City composer Kurt Bestor, an Emmy winner for his music for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, has, with partner, Sam Cardon, written a five-minute piece for the Closing Ceremonies. It will be heard as the athletes march into the stadium with the flags of each of their respective nations.

"It's scored for full orchestra, adult choir and children's choir, as well as a plethora of world instruments. It will sound like a big celebration," says Bestor. The choirs will be singing words like "jubilation" and "celebration" in various languages. "This is the culmination of three weeks which we hope will be nothing but joyous," he adds. "The music will say that."

Grammy-winning songwriter-producer David Foster and his wife Linda Thompson Foster have penned a song based on this year's theme, "Light the Fire Within," to be sung by Leann Rimes after the lighting of the Olympic torch. The Canadian-born Foster - who composed the theme for the '88 games in Calgary and the '96 Olympic song "The Power of the Dream" - became an American citizen just last year. Another Foster tune, "The Prayer" (with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager), will be performed by Charlotte Church and hot new artist Josh Groban during the closing ceremonies.

Famed Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn is also unveiling "Gold," a song from his upcoming theater piece Camille Claudel, during the opening ceremonies.

Michael Kamen, who contributed music to both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Atlanta games, returns with a 10-minute piece (also on the theme of "Light the Fire Within") that will feature no fewer than 1,000 ice skaters during the Opening Ceremonies.

Kamen applied his gifts in several musical arenas: The Utah Symphony and Mormon Choir are supplemented by a rock & roll band, former Queen guitarist Brian May on electric guitar, a boy soprano, tribal rhythms and a 150-voice children's choir, all in the service of a story about "a child of light, all very hopeful and positive," he says.

"The Olympics, historically," Kamen points out, "were always a gathering not just of athletes but of artisans. Music has always been as much a part of the Games as epic poetry and players. The arts have always combined with the physical prowess of athletes to express ourselves as human beings. That's what the Olympics are about."