BMI saluted the past year's 50 most performed songs during the 51st Annual BMI Pop Awards tonight, with superlatives reserved for Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" as Song of the Year, Irv Gotti as Songwriter of the Year and EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. as Publisher of the Year. Frances W. Preston, President & CEO, and Barbara Cane, Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, presented BMI Citations of Achievement during the dinner event honoring the writers and publishers of the top 50 songs. A highlight of the gala, staged at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, was the awarding of the BMI ICON honor to the songwriting trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland in recognition of their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers."

Holland-Dozier-Holland Bio

BMI Pop Awards Song List

BMI Pop Awards Photos

Seen at the BMI Pop Awards are Irv Gotti; BMI's President and CEO, Frances W. Preston; Eddie Holland; Lamont Dozier; Chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing, Martin Bandier; Brian Holland More photos

"How You Remind Me" earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year Crystal for songwriters Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Ryan Vikedal (all SOCAN) of Nickelback and publisher Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; this distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. A #1 single from Nickelback's Roadrunner Records album Silver Side Up, "How You Remind Me" has also been certified as a BMI Million-Air at more than two million performances.

Holland-Dozier-Holland Watch Video

Nickelback

Irv Gotti placed five titles on the Most Performed List of 50 to reap the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year reward. The songs earning Gotti the crown were "Always On Time" (Ja Rule featuring Ashanti), "Foolish" (Ashanti), "I'm Real (Jennifer Lopez with Ja Rule), "Livin' It Up" (Ja Rule featuring Case), and "What's Luv?" (Fat Joe featuring Ashanti). Gotti also shared the Songwriter of the Year title at the 2002 BMI Urban Awards held last year in Miami.

Irv Gotti

Linkin Park

With 16 songs cited, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize; Martin Bandier, Chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing, 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. EMI-Blackwood's top performing tunes were "Days Go By," "Don't Let Me Get Me," "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)," "Hella Good," "Hot In Herre," "If You're Gone," "Irresistible," "Mad Season," "Only Time," "Peaches & Cream," "So Complicated," "Superman (It's Not Easy)," "Thank You," "U Don't Have To Call," "Underneath Your Clothes" and "Wasting My Time."

Of the 70 songwriters recognized, 15 in addition to Gotti were multiple winners. Ja Rule collected four Citations and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger (SOCAN) and Pharrell Williams, three each. Double honorees were Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Wade Robson, Shakira, Mike Shinoda, Scott Stapp, Rob Thomas, Mark Tremonti and Nickelback's Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Ryan Vikedal (SOCAN).

Publishers gathering three or more awards were Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Songs of Universal, Inc.; Ensign Music Corporation; DJ Irv Publishing; Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc./Zomba Songs Inc.; Slavery Music; Sony/ATV Music Group; and Waters of Nazareth Publishing.

"In The End" by Linkin Park enjoyed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriters Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn and Mike Shinoda of the group. (The song was also co-written by band member Chester Bennington.) Included on Linkin Park's Warner Bros. album Hybrid Theory, "In The End" is published by Big Bad Mr. Hahn Music, Kenji Kobayashi Music, Nondisclosure Agreement Music, Rob Bourdon Music, and Zomba Songs Inc.

Lamont Dozier and Brian & Eddie Holland - among the most successful and influential songwriters in popular music history - were lauded as BMI ICONs. The legendary trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland - principal creators of the early Motown sound - has 76 BMI Pop and R&B Awards to their credit and their songs have tallied more than 100 million broadcast performances. Among the classics that have elevated them to ICON status are: "Baby Love," "Stop! In The Name Of Love," "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch," "You Can't Hurry Love," "Reach Out, I'll Be There," "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You," "Reflections" and "You Keep Me Hanging On."

Another special presentation was the announcement of Jaide Fried as the 1st Place winner of the 2003 John Lennon Scholarship Awards. A graduating senior at the University of Miami where she majored in Studio Music and Jazz, Fried earned a scholarship for her song, "Love Me Tonight." 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. 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 2003 top Pop are repeat achievers: "Emotion," first honored in 1978 for writers Barry and Robin Gibb, and last year's winners "Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)," "Follow Me," "Hanging By A Moment," "If You're Gone," "I Hope You Dance" and "Thank You."

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, 2001 through September 30, 2002.]]> 2003-05-13T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/podcasts/container/133196 Wade Robson discusses Writing music and choreography, working with Britney Spears, N’ Sync, & Justin Timberlake Robson, Wade, Pop, In Their Own Words, Video, 2003, BMI Pop Awards 2003-05-12T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233414 Artists, *NSYNC, Jackson, Janet, Jackson, Michael, Mya, Robson, Wade, Spears, Britney, Usher1, Musical Styles, Pop, Musicworld, Hitmaker Choreographer, dancer, teacher, music producer, director, actor, songwriter and recording artist: Does the title "entertainer" have room for all these roles? It does for Wade Robson.

Robson began his career imitating Michael Jackson, and has now advanced to choreographing and remixing for Britney Spears's recent Pepsi commercial as well as her videos, live tours, and awards show performances. Other musicians who benefit from his talent and creative vision include his idol and mentor Michael Jackson, Mandy Moore, Usher, Mya, Pink, Tyrese, Janet Jackson, Youngstown and other notable artists. His latest efforts consist of helping *NSYNC develop their new album Celebrity and 2001 Pop Odyssey Tour. He co-wrote and produced several of the tracks, like the ballad "Gone," but Robson won't remain content with enhancing other artists' careers; he wants his time in the limelight as well.

Robson's first foray as a musician in the youthful rap group Quo left him unenthusiastic about returning to the recording studio as a performer, but seven years can transform apathy into aspiration. Describing himself as an edgier Will Smith, Robson draws on his experiences with hip-hop, r&b and rap to create a pop sound rivaling those of his current clients. The album will debut once his demanding schedule allows him to finish it.

As for the future, Robson hints at directing movies and possibly bringing the musical to a broader audience. But for now, the pop world has a hold of this 18-year-old entertainer and won't let go anytime soon.