View List of Award Winning Songs

BMI held its 56th Annual Pop Awards tonight, May 20, honoring Daryl Hall and John Oates as BMI Icons. Famed songwriter and producer Polow Da Don earned the coveted Songwriter of the Year crown, Hinder's ubiquitous "Lips of an Angel" garnered Song of the Year honors and Publisher of the Year went to EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, the invitation-only ceremony was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President/General Manager, Los Angeles, Barbara Cane and also recognized the writers and publishers of the past year's 50 most-performed pop songs from BMI's extensive catalog of more than 6.5 million compositions.

The evening's capstone took the form of a musical tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates, who were named BMI Icons in recognition of their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." With this award, they join an elite list of previous BMI Icons that includes the Bee Gees, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Dolly Parton and Carlos Santana.

The effervescent popularity of Daryl Hall and John Oates's magical collaborations springs from the duo's devout passion for Philly soul and buoyant pop harmonies. Warmly accessible and expertly polished, Daryl Hall and John Oates's smooth production utilizes undeniable hooks and innate contemporary lyrical sensibility. The resulting eight no. 1 singles, three double-platinum and two platinum albums catapulted the pair into pop superstardom; in 1987, Daryl Hall and John Oates became the best-selling rock duo of all time. Skilled songwriters, they are both members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, together boasting 24 BMI Pop Awards and a catalog studded with 14 BMI Million-Air award songs, including "She's Gone," "Everytime You Go Away," "Kiss On My List," "Maneater" and "Sara Smile." They have prompted a surge of interest and homage from a diverse bevy of new artists, who cite the pair as definitive influences. Restless creators, Daryl Hall and John Oates have spent much of the last decade touring throughout the world.

Polow Da Don's resounding claim to the BMI Songwriter of the Year title stems from penning four songs among the year's top 50: the Pussycat Dolls' "Buttons," featuring Snoop Dogg; Fergie's "London Bridge" and "Glamorous," featuring Ludacris; and "Runaway Love," recorded by Ludacris and featuring Mary J. Blige. Fergie's emphatic shout, "Polow!" in "London Bridge" embedded Da Don's first name in the pop culture psyche, while his hit-making expertise catapulted him to behind-the-scenes impresario. Polow Da Don's first BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year win arrives on the shoulders of his first four BMI Awards, underscoring his unparalleled breakout success in 2007.

Hinder's "Lips of an Angel" garnered Song of the Year bragging rights thanks to generating the most airplay of any tune on BMI's most-performed pop song list during the designated award period. Co-written and recorded by BMI songwriters and Hinder band members Blower, Cody Hanson, Mark King, Michael Rodden and Austin Winkler, along with producer Brian Howes (SOCAN), the wistful tune climbed to the no. 1 slot of Billboard's Pop 100, Hot Digital Songs and Top 40 Mainstream charts, achieving broad crossover success. Country artist Jack Ingram's recording of the song also resonated, reaching the top 20 tier of Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. Published by EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. and Hinder Music Co., "Lips of an Angel" also earned the Internet Song of the Year win as the most performed song on the Internet during the award period.

EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. claimed its BMI Pop Publisher of the Year crown with a staggering 14 award songs and highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year's top 50. In addition to publishing Song of the Year "Lips of an Angel," EMI-Blackwood's catalog includes award-winners "Money Maker" (Ludacris feat. Pharrell), "Break It Off" (Rihanna feat. Sean Paul), "Glamorous" (Fergie feat. Ludacris), "Hurt" (Christina Aguilera), "Nothing Left to Lose" (Mat Kearney), "The Riddle" (Five for Fighting) and "U + Ur Hand" (Pink).

Nickelback also enjoyed a big night as members Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Dan Adair (all SOCAN) each took home three BMI Pop Awards; songwriters earning two awards each included Christina Aguilera; Hinder's Blower, Cody Hanson, Michael Rodden, Mark King and Austin Winkler; Snoop Dogg, Chris Daughtry; Sean Garrett; Three Days Grace's Adam Gontier, Barry Stock, Brad Walst and Neil Sanderson (all SOCAN); Brian Howes (SOCAN); Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Andrew Hurley; Ne-Yo; Pink; and will.i.am.

Publishing companies Universal Music Publishing Group (Irving Music/Songs of Universal, Inc./Universal Music-Careers/Universal Music-Z Songs), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Warner/Chappell Music Group (Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Unichappell Music, Inc.), Songs of Windswept Pacific, Cherry River Music Co., Chicago X Softcore Songs, Hinder Music Co., Hitco Music, My Own Chit Publishing, Pink Inside Publishing, Super Sayin' Publishing, Surface Pretty Deep Ugly Music, Team S Dot Publishing, will.i.am music, inc. and Xtina Music each garnered multiple awards.

The BMI Foundation's 11th Annual John Lennon Scholarship was presented to burgeoning jazz/pop songwriter Travis Knapp for his song "Before You Go."  A recent graduate of Ithaca College where he studied music and anthropology, Knapp is currently recording his sophomore collection of original music. Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation and matched by generous donations from Gibson Musical Instruments, the prestigious John Lennon Scholarship program recognizes and fosters auspicious young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24.

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.

As part of the panel, Austin Winkler and Cody Hanson of the multi-platinum rock group Hinder joined Howes to perform “Lips Of An Angel,” which they co-wrote; Hamilton performed his “Charlene” and “Can’t Let Go.” The panel was moderated by Los Angeles Times Chief Music Critic Ann Powers and BMI’s Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Catherine Brewton. Panelists discussed their Grammy-nominated works, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners.

Front Row: Chris Daughtry; BMI’s Catherine Brewton; LA Times’ Ann Powers; and Anthony Hamilton. Back row: Cody Hanson of Hinder; Rodney Jerkins; Austin Winkler of Hinder; Polow Da Don; Brian Howes, Ben Moody and Fat Joe.

Back row: Rodney Jerkins; Austin Winkler of Hinder; Polow Da Don; Brian Howes; Fat Joe. Front row: Cody Hanson of Hinder; Anthony Hamilton; Chris Daughtry and Brian Howes.

Polow Da Don and Ben Moody

Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Anthony Hamilton, Fat Joe, LA Times Ann Powers

Anthony Hamilton and Fat Joe

Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Anthony Hamilton and Fat Joe

Brian Howes, Austin Winkler and Cody Hanson

Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry and Anthony Hamilton

BMI’s Catherine Brewton; Fat Joe; BMI’s Phil Graham and Byron Wright

BMI’s Barbara Cane; Rodney Jerkins; BMI’s Catherine Brewton; Ben Moody; and BMI’s Myles Lewis

BMI’s Tracie Verlinde and Myles Lewis; Ben Moody; Chris Daughtry; BMI’s Barbara Cane and Phil Graham

BMI’s Ian Holder and Malik Levy; Anthony Hamilton and BMI’s Byron Wright

BMI’s Byron Wright; Polow Da Don; and BMI’s Ian Holder

Front row: BMI’s Myles Lewis and Barbara Cane; Chris Daughtry; BMI’s Catherine Brewton; the LA Timess’ Ann Powers; Anthony Hamilton; BMI’s Tracie Verlinde and Byron Wright; back row: BMI’s Samantha Cox; Hinder’s Cody Hanson; Rodney Jerkins; Hinder’s Austin Winkler; BMI’s Ian Holder; Polow Da Don; Brian Howes; Ben Moody; Fat Joe; BMI’s Phil Graham and Malik Levy.

Photos: Randall Michaelson

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.