Heather Lauren - Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Heather has performed consistently in the San Francisco Bay Area over the last five years with special appearances in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Austin, TX and Milan, Italy. She was awarded 2006 Song of the Year for the West Coast Songwriter's International Song Competition, for which original composition entitled "Sense of Me," produced and co-written with Bonnie Hayes and cellist and songwriter, Matthew Schoening, won first place. Heather has opened for Fiona Apple and Tori Amos and is now actively performing in Los Angeles, her new home.

Henry Gummer - Henry comes from a small town in the Berkshire Mountains of Connecticut. In 2004, he moved to New York and founded the tragically under-heard pop band Bravo Silva (for which he played under the anonym Silva). Over the ensuing years, Henry honed his ear for a catchy melody and memorable turn of phrase, and, in the spring of 2007, struck out on his own in pursuit of the perfect song. Currently a resident of Los Angeles, Henry is working on his debut solo effort.

Larry Bagby - Born and raised in California, this singer/songwriter and actor most recently performed “Counting My Lucky Stars,” the only original song, on a CBS television Cold Case episode featuring a Tim McGraw soundtrack. In addition, Larry's musical talents took him to Nashville, where he competed for a spot on USA Network show Nashville Star. Larry was chosen out of 20,000 competitors to go to Nashville and compete with 56 regional finalists vying for one of 10 coveted spots on the show's fifth season. Also, with an acting career that spans more than 20 years, Larry has appeared in Walk the Line, Saints and Soldiers and Hocus Pocus, and has many guest appearances on shows such as CSI, JAG, Malcolm in the Middle, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as football hero Larry Blaisdell. Larry can also be seen in numerous commercials.

Paul Nagi - It has been four years since this singer/songwriter left New York City to head west. With an original musical sound that bridges the gap between British new wave and indie rock and vocals that are reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and Morrissey, Paul continues to win over the hearts of music fans. Lyrics that are heartfelt and vividly succinct evoke a time in music when words had meaning. Without the help of management or agents, he released his first, three song ep, Auto Repair, in December 2006 at a private show in Silverlake.

The Acoustic Lounge is one of many opportunities BMI offers to artists to showcase their talent in front of their peers and a supportive audience. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, offering a great opportunity to network with other aspiring and working singer/songwriters. For established writers, it provides a chance to monitor new musical trends and be involved in the grass-roots/DIY musical movement.

London Awards Event Photos

Ray Davies: BMI Icon Feature Story

London Awards Song List

Davies is co-founder, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Kinks, one of the most long-lived and influential rock groups of the British Invasion. As the band's chief songwriter, he is the pen behind such Kinks classics as "You Really Got Me," "All Day and All of the Night," "A Well Respected Man," "Waterloo Sunset," "Tired of Waiting For You," "Sunny Afternoon," "Lola" and "Come Dancing."

In a written tribute to Davies that was read at the event, Who guitarist Pete Townshend called Davies "the true laureate of British popular music." In addition to Townshend, who credits his sound to the 40-plus year music vet, artists as diverse as Morrissey, Blur and Oasis also claim Davies as their main influence.

"Listen to Your Heart," written by Per Gessle and Mats Persson, and published by Jimmy Fun Music (all STIM), was named Song of the Year and received one of the organization's highest accolades, the Robert S. Musel Award. Recorded by Belgium-based duo D.H.T., the song was originally a No. 1 hit for Roxette in 1989 and received the BMI Dance Award at last year's ceremony.

"Feel Good Inc.," co-written by Gorillaz members Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett (both PRS), along with De La Soul's David Jolicoeur, was named BMI's College Song of the Year for tallying the most performances on American college radio. The Grammy Award-winning hit is from the Gorillaz' Demon Days CD, which went double platinum in the U.S. and triple platinum in the U.K.

The BMI Dance Award went to "Everytime We Touch," written by Stuart MacKillop, Maggie Reilly (both PRS) and Peter Risavy (GEMA), and published by Mambo/Sony/ATV Music Publishing Germany (GEMA). The infectious tune by Euro-dance trio Cascada was a worldwide smash, including in America, where it topped the dance charts and made it into the Top Ten of the pop charts.

"Million-Air" certificates were also presented throughout the evening in recognition of those songs that have achieved over three million U.S. radio and television performances - or the equivalent of more than 17 years of continuous airplay. Topping the list was the theme to Mondo Cane, "More," which earned a seven million performance award for songwriters Marcello Ciorciolini (SIAE), Norman Newell (PRS), Nino Oliviero (SIAE) and Riz Ortolani (SIAE). "You're Still the One," written and recorded by 2004 BMI London Awards Song of the Year winner Shania Twain (PRS), reached the six million performance plateau. Other "Million-Air" recipients included Sir Elton John, Eric Clapton, the Bee Gees, Sting, Seal, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel and Paul Rodgers of Free (all PRS).]]> 2006-10-03T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334938 Davies, Ray, Morrison, Van, Morrissey, Townshend, Pete, Winwood, Steve, Rock, BMI Europe BMI has announced that rock legend Ray Davies (PRS) of the Kinks will be honored as a BMI Icon at the company's annual London Awards, set for Tuesday, Oct. 3 in the Grand Ballroom of London's Dorchester Hotel. The gala ceremony and dinner will also recognize the European songwriters and publishers of the past year's top BMI songs played on American radio and television.

The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters and artists who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers," with artists as diverse as Morrissey, Blur, Oasis and even Pete Townshend crediting their sound to Davies. He joins an elite group of BMI Icons that includes previous London Award honorees Steve Winwood and Van Morrison.

Affectionately referred to as the "Godfather of Brit pop," Davies is co-founder, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Kinks, one of the most long-lived and influential rock groups of the 1960s British Invasion. As the band's chief songwriter, he is the pen behind such Kinks classics as "You Really Got Me," "All Day and All of the Night," "A Well Respected Man," "Waterloo Sunset," "Tired of Waiting," "Sunny Afternoon," "Lola" and "Come Dancing."

His 40-plus year career features the Kinks' 1990 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as a host of successful independent projects, including the release of his semi-fictional biography "X-Ray," his long-running one-man show entitled "Storyteller," and the recent release of his first official solo album, the critically acclaimed Other People's Lives.

Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Senior Vice President Phil Graham, the BMI London Awards will also present the Robert J. Musel Award to the writer and publisher of the most performed Song of the Year. Additionally, BMI "Million-Air" certificates will be awarded to those songs that have achieved over three million U.S. radio and television performances - the equivalent of more than 17 years of continuous airplay.

Like those classic rock albums, From Under the Cork Tree is a sweet ‘n’ sour mélange of high-impact instrumentation, bubblegum-flavored melodies and darkly humorous lyrics.

The band’s virtues are explosively evident on their Top 40 single, “Sugar, We’re Going Down.” Singer/songwriter Patrick Stump comports himself with admirable skill, crooning earnestly one minute, belting urgently the next. Guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley prove themselves equally adept at musical dynamics.

Then there’s Fall Out Boy bassist and wordsmith Peter Wentz, whose Morrissey-like penchant for spinning lyrical gold from inside jokes is evident in absurdist song titles like “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More ‘Touch Me’,” “Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends” and “Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn’t Get Sued.”

Hailing from Chicago, Fall Out Boy emerged in 2003 with the independent album Take This To Your Grave. The 2004 acoustic EP, My Heart Will Always Be the B-Side to My Tongue, was the spark that ignited a bidding war. Signing with Island/Def Jam, Fall Out Boy became the break-out band from the 2004 Vans Warped! Tour (FOB made a triumphant return in 2005). In summer 2005, the band announced it was headlining Nintendo’s Fusion Tour, a 40-state jaunt described as a mix of “games, music and sweaty teens.”

Fortunately, the pressures of fame and touring don’t appear to have dampened the band’s creative spirit. “When it’s all over, we want to be remembered as a rock band that pushed limits and was sincere and totally honest to itself and its fans,” Wentz said recently. “When we are 90 years old and on our death beds, it will matter to us that at least we took chances."]]> 2006-03-09T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/533075 Artists, Fall Out Boy, Morrissey, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock, Musicworld, Hitmaker If ever a band was poised to assume the power pop mantle of greatness, it’s Fall Out Boy. Exploring the musical turf between heart-on-sleeve tenderness and straight out bombast, the band’s major label debut recording, From Under the Cork Tree, delivers the same heady thrill as the Ramones’ Road to Ruin and Cheap Trick’s In Color. Like those classic rock albums, From Under the Cork Tree is a sweet ‘n’ sour mélange of high-impact instrumentation, bubblegum-flavored melodies and darkly humorous lyrics.

The band’s virtues are explosively evident on their Top 40 single, “Sugar, We’re Going Down.” Singer/songwriter Patrick Stump comports himself with admirable skill, crooning earnestly one minute, belting urgently the next. Guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley prove themselves equally adept at musical dynamics.

Then there’s Fall Out Boy bassist and wordsmith Peter Wentz, whose Morrissey-like penchant for spinning lyrical gold from inside jokes is evident in absurdist song titles like “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More ‘Touch Me’,” “Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends” and “Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn’t Get Sued.”

Hailing from Chicago, Fall Out Boy emerged in 2003 with the independent album Take This To Your Grave. The 2004 acoustic EP, My Heart Will Always Be the B-Side to My Tongue, was the spark that ignited a bidding war. Signing with Island/Def Jam, Fall Out Boy became the break-out band from the 2004 Vans Warped! Tour (FOB made a triumphant return in 2005). In summer 2005, the band announced it was headlining Nintendo’s Fusion Tour, a 40-state jaunt described as a mix of “games, music and sweaty teens.”

Fortunately, the pressures of fame and touring don’t appear to have dampened the band’s creative spirit. “When it’s all over, we want to be remembered as a rock band that pushed limits and was sincere and totally honest to itself and its fans,” Wentz said recently. “When we are 90 years old and on our death beds, it will matter to us that at least we took chances.”

The man's famously dour demeanor – cemented by such Smiths titles as "Unloveable" and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now," not to mention such solo tracks as "I Don't Mind If You Forget Me" and "Sorrow Will Come in the End" - was belied by his sweet lead vocals and sometimes Wildean wit. Nevertheless, when asked last year by the Sydney Morning Herald if making music makes him happy, he replied, "Well, yes, because if you're not making music then what are you? I mean what am I, anyway? I don't know what I am. I've been trying for 30 years." He concluded with a chuckle, "I feel undefinable, actually."

Born Steven Patrick Morrissey in Manchester 45 years ago, the singer's hooking up with guitarist/songwriter Johnny Marr was a life-altering act, resulting in three solid albums and one - 1986's The Queen is Dead - a near-masterpiece of '80s alternative rock. A year later, Marr left, and the group was over.

A stream of solo albums followed, with highlights including his 1988 solo debut Viva Hate and 1992's Your Arsenal - the latter muscularly produced by guitar legend Mick Ronson - and You Are the Quarry takes its rightful place among those efforts. Swinging from catchy pop gems like "First of the Gang to Die" and the purposeful statement song "America Is Not the World" (the always-controversial singer broke the news of Ronald Reagan's death to a Dublin audience by saying he'd have preferred the White House's current occupant to have died) to the sweet, complex "I Have Forgiven Jesus" and "Let Me Kiss You" (a highlight of Nancy Sinatra's recent, otherwise forgettable self-titled album), Quarry represents a smashing return to form.

Just how long the mercurial artist's return to the spotlight will last is anyone's guess, however, as Morrissey has hinted in the press that another seven-year absence wouldn't be out of the question. For now, fans can tide themselves over with a re-released version of Quarry , featuring a DVD of the album's videos and a handful of TV appearances.

"Despite massive discouragement, I remain myself," he told the Morning Herald. "Somebody has to be me so it might as well be me."