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.

Ertegun, who remained connected to the music scene until his last days, had been in a coma since Oct. 29, when he suffered a brain injury after falling backstage at New York's Beacon Theatre during a Stones concert in honor of former President Bill Clinton's 60th birthday.

"With the passing of Ahmet Ertegun, the music industry has lost a true giant," said BMI President & CEO Del Bryant. "In addition to his indelible contribution to the careers of artists whose music has virtually defined two generations, he was also a distinguished member of the BMI family for the past 53 years, with 16 BMI R&B Award winners in his catalog, including the oft-covered 'Chains of Love.' His many friends at BMI are deeply saddened by his loss."

Born in Istanbul on July 31, 1923, Ertegun was the son of a Turkish ambassador. He started collecting records for fun, but would later became one of the music industry's most powerful figures with Atlantic, which he co-founded in 1947 in an office in a derelict hotel on West 56th Street in Manhattan. His initial investment of $10,000 was borrowed from his family dentist.

The label first made its name with rhythm and blues by Charles and Big Joe Turner, but later diversified, making Franklin the Queen of Soul as well as carrying the banner of British rock (with the Rolling Stones, Cream, Led Zeppelin) and American pop (with Sonny and Cher, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and others). Today, the company is part of Warner Music Group, home to artists including Kid Rock, James Blunt, T.I. and Missy Elliott.

Ertegun will be buried in a private ceremony in his native Turkey; a memorial service will be held in New York after New Year's.

BMI will present the first in a series of educational seminars on Wednesday, July 28 from Guitar Center's Manhattan store (25 W. 14th St.). This unique event entitled "Career Connection," starts at 7:00pm and is free and open to the public. Speakers include two of the music industry's most successful executives, Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Jason Flom and EMI Music Publishing Executive Vice President Evan Lamberg, who will discuss the new realities for artists and songwriters in the digital music age. BMI's Charlie Feldman, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations in New York, will moderate.

The seminar will be webcast live exclusively on Songwriter101.com, a new website that focuses on the business side of songwriting. Topics include getting the attention of a "major" in an era of smaller artist rosters; artist development in the digital age and the new dynamic of radio, TV and the web; and the re-emergence of the songwriter/artist career path. Future BMI/Guitar Center seminars will feature top artists, managers, agents, producers and executives from around the industry.

Jason Flom is Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records Group. He served as President of Lava Records, the label he founded within Atlantic Records, from 1995 to 2004. He has worked with and signed such multimillion-selling artists as Tori Amos, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, matchbox twenty, Sugar Ray, The Corrs, Stone Temple Pilots, Collective Soul, Twisted Sister, Skid Row and White Lion.

Evan Lamberg has held various creative manager positions at Jobete Music, MCA Music Publishing, and EMI Music Publishing, where he now serves as Executive Vice President. He works with and has signed such artists and songwriters as Rob Thomas (matchbox twenty), Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers), Hootie & the Blowfish, Pharrell Williams (The Neptunes), Jessica Simpson, Kelis, BeBe Winans, Ludacris, Pink, Paula Abdul, Jewel and John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls).

Charlie Feldman is Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, where he directs all writer/publisher relations and administrative activities for the company's New York office. A board member of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Feldman has worked closely with songwriter/artists such as R. Kelly, Carole King, the Neville Brothers, Full Force, Tony Joe White and emerging star Katie Melua.

"The Game of Love" earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year Crystal for songwriter Gregg Alexander and his publishing company Keepin' It Real How 'Bout You Music Publishing; this distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. Recorded by Santana featuring Michelle Branch, "The Game of Love" was a #1 single from Santana's Arista album Shaman and has already been certified as a BMI Million-Air (one million broadcast performances). Multi-instrumentalist and producer Alexander won a Pop Award in 1999 for "You Get What You Give," a hit for his former group, the New Radicals. Alexander co-wrote "The Game of Love" with Rick Nowels (share not licensed by BMI).

Brian Wilson	Gregg Alexander	The Matrix

Lauren Christy and Scott Spock contributed three to the Most Performed List of 50 to share the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year crown. The songs earning Christy and Spock the title were "Complicated" and "I'm With You," both #1 singles for Avril Lavigne, and "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," recorded by Jason Mraz. Christy and Spock, along with Graham Edwards (PRS), are also known professionally as songwriting/production team The Matrix. Other artists for whom they have written songs are Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, Ricky Martin, Ronan Keating, Liz Phair and Hootie & the Blowfish.

With 11 songs represented, Warner/Chappell Music Group (through its companies Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Unichappell Music, Inc.) claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize. Les Bider, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Group, 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. Warner/Chappell's top performing tunes were "Are You Happy Now?," "Crazy In Love," "Complicated," "Dilemma," "I'm With You," "In A Little While," "Mesmerize," "Miss You," "Picture," "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" and "Soak Up The Sun."

Brian Wilson was saluted as a BMI Icon for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." One of the most revered pop music creators of the last 50 years, Wilson co-founded the Beach Boys and co-wrote such seminal rock and pop songs as "Good Vibrations," "I Get Around," "God Only Knows," "California Girls," "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice," among many others. Collectively with the Beach Boys and individually, he helped to create the sound that defined a generation and painted the picture of the West Coast "surf" sound. His genius is embedded throughout the group's history, but it particularly resonates on their legendary 1966 release, Pet Sounds.

After an Icon video tribute, Fountains of Wayne performed "Be True To Your School," followed by Wilson Phillips - featuring Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy - singing "In My Room." Wilson and his band took the stage for several songs, closing with "Good Vibrations."

Wilson enters the elite company of previously praised BMI Icons including Isaac Hayes, Bill Anderson, James Brown, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Bo Diddley . He is also the first person to be honored by BMI as both an Icon and with the President's Award (in 1995).

Of the 80 songwriters cited, nine were double winners: Sheryl Crow, R. Kelly, Jennifer Lopez, Shania Twain, N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett, and matchbox twenty's Rob Thomas.

Other writer/artists earning awards were Audioslave, Daniel Bedingfield (PRS), Big Tymers, Michelle Branch, Cam'Ron, Vanessa Carlton, Creed, Eminem, Evanescence, Ja Rule, Kid Rock, Linkin Park, Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers, 3 Doors Down, Uncle Kracker, and Unwritten Law.

Publishers garnering three or more awards were EMI Music Publishing (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc./EMI-Unart Catalog, Inc./EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.); Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc./Zomba Songs Inc.; Universal Music Publishing Group; Dwight Frye Music, Inc.; Mr. Spock Music/Scott Spock Songs; Rainbow Fish Publishing (Christy's company) and Sony/ATV Songs LLC.

"When I'm Gone" by 3 Doors Down enjoyed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriters Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Matt Roberts of the group. Included on 3 Doors Down's Republic/Universal CD Away From the Sun, "When I'm Gone" is published by Escatawpa Songs and Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.

Another special presentation was the announcement of Andrew Horowitz as the 1st Place winner of the 2004 John Lennon Scholarship Awards. A student at the University of Michigan, Horowitz earned a $10,000 scholarship for his song, "Goodday." 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. More than $125,000 has been awarded over the last seven years through generous donations from Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments. 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 2004 top Pop songs are repeat achievers: "Heaven," first honored in 1985 for writer/artist Bryan Adams; "Landslide," a 1998 Pop Award winner for Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks and the 2003 BMI Country Song of the Year via its recording by the Dixie Chicks; plus last year's winners "Complicated," "One Last Breath" and "Soak Up The Sun."

BMI's Citation of Achievement performance certificates are 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, 2002 through September 30, 2003.

"We could've fallen apart very easily and each gone our own way," says Whitener. "The fact that we were able to stay together says a lot about the band's spirit and determination." Indeed, the trio's new singer, African-born Hugo Ferreira, was a perfect fit, and the new lineup emerged as Tantric in 2001 with a Toby Wright-produced (Alice In Chains), self-titled debut on Maverick Records.

Singles, including "Mourning" (Top 20) and "Breakdown" (#1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Chart), and tours with 3 Doors Down, Creed and Kid Rock propelled the newly minted lineup, making Days of the New a distant memory. TV appearances on The Tonight Show and songs in TV and films (including Warner Bros. Salton Sea ) insured Tantric's place as emerging stars.

At once sonically somber, aggressive and sensual, in the years since their debut, Tantric has honed its heavy acoustic-rock signature sound. February 2004 marks the latest Tantric disc, After We Go, which features the first single, the active rock hit "Hey Now." A cool cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" is also on After We Go .

The Louisville, Kentucky-based quartet follows up their debut without a worry about the oft-talked-about sophomore slump. “You can’t go into the studio worrying about writing another hit or selling twice as many copies as the first album,” says Ferreira. “All you can do is make music that moves you and hope that it affects others the same way."]]> 2004-03-09T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233903 Artists, Aaliyah, Alabama, Chapman, Steven Curtis, Hill, Faith, Jackson, Michael, Keith, Toby, Kid Rock, Lil Jon, Linkin Park, Lopez, Jennifer, McGraw, Tim, Musical Styles, Blues, Country, Latin, Pop, Rock American Music Awards, held November 16 during a live ABC telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

BMI songwriter/artists once again swept the Country Music category, winning all four awards. Winners included country music's superstar couple Tim McGraw, who took home his third Favorite Male Artist trophy, and Faith Hill, who won her second award for Favorite Female Artist. Rounding out the category were multi-award winning artist Toby Keith, who earned his first American Music Award with a Favorite Album win for his triple-platinum CD Unleashed, and perennial favorites Alabama, who collected their 23rd AMA, this one for Favorite Country Group. The group has more American Music Awards than any other performer, followed by Michael Jackson with 21 and Kenny Rogers with 19.

Other top BMI winners included Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band, Ricky Martin for Favorite Latin Artist, and Steven Curtis Chapman for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Music Artist.

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.

BMI's 2003 American Music Award Winners:

POP OR ROCK 'N ROLL MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Kid Rock

Favorite Female Artist
Jennifer Lopez

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Fleetwood Mac

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC
Favorite Female Artist
Aaliyah

COUNTRY
Favorite Male Artist
Tim McGraw

Favorite Female Artist
Faith Hill

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Alabama

Favorite Album
"Unleashed"
Toby Keith

RAP/HIP-HOP
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Linkin Park

LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Ricky Martin

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Steven Curtis Chapman]]> 2003-11-17T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233824 Artists, Alabama, Allan, Gary, Brooks & Dunn, Buffett, Jimmy, Byrd, Tracy, Crow, Sheryl, Dixie Chicks, Douglas, Jerry, Gentry, Montgomery, Gill, Vince, Griggs, Andy, Jewell, Buddy, Johnson, Doug, Keith, Toby, Kid Rock, Krauss, Alison, Lonestar, Loveless, Patty, Maines, Lloyd, McBride, Martina, McGraw, Tim, Nelson, Willie, Parton, Dolly, Shelton, Blake, Musical Styles, Country, Rock Toby Keith led the list of nominees for the 37th Annual CMA Awards (August 26). Nominated for Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year, in addition to an Album of the Year mention for Unleashed, Keith also picked up Song, Single, Music Video and Vocal Event nominations for "Beer for My Horses," a duet with Willie Nelson that he co-wrote with Scotty Emerick.

Toby Keith

Willie Nelson

Tim McGraw

Other BMI talents collecting multiple CMA nominations are Brooks & Dunn with four; Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, and James Stroud with three each; and the Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton with two each.

Brooks & Dunn

Martina McBride

In addition to Keith and Emerick, BMI songwriters honored in the Song of the Year category are Wynn Varble ("Have You Forgotten?"), Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn ("Red Dirt Road"), and Doug Johnson ("Three Wooden Crosses").

Dixie Chicks

The CMA Awards show takes place November 5 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Vince Gill will host the CBS broadcast for the 12th consecutive year.

Montgomery Gentry

Blake Shelton

BMI's 2003 CMA Awards Nominees

Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw

Male Vocalist of the Year
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw

Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Patty Loveless
Martina McBride
Dolly Parton

Vocal Group of the Year
Alabama
Diamond Rio
Dixie Chicks
Lonestar
Rascal
Flatts

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers

Horizon Award
Gary Allan
Buddy Jewell
Blake Shelton

Vocal Event of the Year (Awards presented to artists and producer(s))
"Beer for My Horses"
Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson

"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
Jimmy Buffett

"Picture"
Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow

"Tears in the Holston River"
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

"The Truth About Men"
Tracy Byrd (with Andy Griggs, Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton)

Album of the Year
Home
Dixie Chicks
Dixie Chicks and Lloyd Maines, producers

Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors
Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors
Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw and Darran Smith, producers

Unleashed
Toby Keith
James Stroud and Toby Keith, producers

Song of the Year
"Beer for My Horses"
Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson
Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick, songwriters
Tokeco Tunes, Big Yellow Dog Music and Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, publishers

"Have You Forgotten?"
Wynn Varble, songwriter
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., publisher

"Red Dirt Road"
Brooks & Dunn
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, songwriters
Buffalo Prairie Songs, Showbilly Music, Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, publishers

"Three Wooden Crosses"
Doug Johnson, songwriter
Mike Curb Music and Sweet Radical Music, publishers

Single of the Year
"Beer for My Horses"
Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson
James Stroud and Toby Keith, producers

"Have You Forgotten?"
James Stroud, producer

Music Video of the Year
"Beer for My Horses"
Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson

"Concrete Angel"
Martina McBride

"Red Dirt Road"
Brooks & Dunn

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas
Dobro

Aubrie Haynie
Fiddle/Mandolin

Brent Mason
Guitar

Randy Scruggs
Guitar

Toby Keith

Tim McGraw

Shania Twain

Hosted by Keith and Pamela Anderson at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center, the evening was highlighted by performances from Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Rascal Flatts, plus Keith and McGraw.

Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock

Faith Hill

Congratulations to BMI's winners:

FLAMEWORTHY FASHION PLATE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Best dressed/styled artist in a video]
Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"

FLAMEWORTHY CONCEPT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Most creative concept that broadens the scope of the song's story]
Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Sexiest video by a female artist]
Faith Hill - "When The Lights Go Down"

Rascal Flatts

Martina McBride

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Sexiest video by a male artist]
Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"

FLAMEWORTHY COCKY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Video with the most attitude]
Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"

FLAMEWORTHY GROUP/DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Best video by a group or duo]
Rascal Flatts - "These Days"

FLAMEWORTHY FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Best video by a female artist]
Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel"

FLAMEWORTHY MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Best video by a male artist]
Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
[Best video of the year]
Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"]]> 2003-04-13T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/200003 Artists, Azar, Steve, Crow, Sheryl, Dixie Chicks, Gentry, Montgomery, Gill, Vince, Hanson, Jennifer, Hill, Faith, Keith, Toby, Kid Rock, McBride, Martina, McGraw, Tim, Rascal Flatts, Shelton, Blake, Trick Pony, Twain, Shania, Urban, Keith, Musical Styles, Country, Rock, Urban Toby Keith, Faith Hill and Shania Twain each earned five nods. Other top contenders include Tim McGraw, keith urban and the Dixie Chicks. Fans may vote at CMT.com through April 5 to determine winners in each category. Trophies will be passed out on Monday, April 7, from Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center during a live telecast hosted by Keith and actress Pamela Anderson [7 p.m. CDT].

Toby Keith

Faith Hill

Shania Twain

Tim McGraw

keith urban

Dixie Chicks

Jennifer Hanson

BMI congratulates the following nominees:

FLAMEWORTHY BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Steve Azar - "Waitin' On Joe"
Jennifer Hanson - "Beautiful Goodbye"
Blake Shelton - "Ol' Red"

Blake Shelton

Martina McBride

Sheryl Crow

Kid Rock

FLAMEWORTHY FASHION PLATE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Dixie Chicks - "Long Time Gone"
Faith Hill - "When The Lights Go Down"
Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"
Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"
keith urban - "Somebody Like You"

Montgomery Gentry

Trick Pony

FLAMEWORTHY CONCEPT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Vince Gill - "Next Big Thing"
Toby Keith - "Who's Your Daddy"
Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel"
Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"

Diamond Rio

LeAnn Rimes

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Dixie Chicks - "Long Time Gone"
Faith Hill - "When The Lights Go Down"
LeAnn Rimes - "Life Goes On"
Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"

FLAMEWORTHY HOTTEST MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Toby Keith - "Who's Your Daddy"
Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"
Rascal Flatts - "These Days"
keith urban - "Raining On Sunday"

FLAMEWORTHY COCKY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"
Montgomery Gentry - "My Town"

FLAMEWORTHY GROUP/DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Diamond Rio - "Beautiful Mess"
Dixie Chicks - "Long Time Gone"
Montgomery Gentry - "My Town"
Rascal Flatts - "These Days"
Trick Pony - "Just What I Do"

FLAMEWORTHY FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Faith Hill - "Cry"
Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel"
Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"

FLAMEWORTHY MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"
Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"
Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow - "Picture"

FLAMEWORTHY VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Final five nominees announced on live telecast; voting held online during the show.
Dixie Chicks - "Long Time Gone"
Faith Hill - "Cry"
Toby Keith - "Courtesy Of The Red, White, & Blue"
Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel"
Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain"
Rascal Flatts - "These Days"
Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"
keith urban - "Somebody Like You"]]> 2003-03-12T17:00:00-05:00