Scheduled to appear is Sarah Buxton, Chuck Cannon, Eric Church, Bob DiPiero, Marv Green, Jeffrey Steele, Keith Stegall, and Lari White.

For package information call: 1-800-ATLANTIS or Caldwell Travel (615) 327-2720.

Scheduled to appear is Sarah Buxton, Chuck Cannon, Eric Church, Bob DiPiero, Marv Green, Jeffrey Steele, Keith Stegall, and Lari White.

For package information call: 1-800-ATLANTIS or Caldwell Travel (615) 327-2720.

Scheduled to appear is Sarah Buxton, Chuck Cannon, Eric Church, Bob DiPiero, Marv Green, Jeffrey Steele, Keith Stegall, and Lari White.

For package information call: 1-800-ATLANTIS or Caldwell Travel (615) 327-2720.

Scheduled to appear is Sarah Buxton, Chuck Cannon, Eric Church, Bob DiPiero, Marv Green, Jeffrey Steele, Keith Stegall, and Lari White.

For package information call: 1-800-ATLANTIS or Caldwell Travel (615) 327-2720.

Scheduled to appear is Sarah Buxton, Chuck Cannon, Eric Church, Bob DiPiero, Marv Green, Jeffrey Steele, Keith Stegall, and Lari White.

For package information call: 1-800-ATLANTIS or Caldwell Travel (615) 327-2720.

Perennial Christian music pacesetters Casting Crowns won Group of the Year, while their frontman and 2007 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year Mark Hall was honored for co-writing the Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, "Praise You in this Storm."

Prolific producer and songwriter Ed Cash scored the 2007 Producer of the Year title and was also recognized for his work with Chris Tomlin. Urban gospel favorite Kirk Franklin's "Imagine Me" was named Urban Recorded Song of the Year, while noted singer and songwriter Israel Houghton received Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song and Album of the Year awards.

Christian rock crew DecembeRadio nabbed Rock Album of the Year for their self-titled project, while long-admired rockers Jars of Clay snagged Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for Good Monsters.

Additional BMI winners included Steven Curtis Chapman, Aaron Sprinkle, Rob Graves, Tia Sillers, Bill Anderson, Aaron Lindsey, Wayne Haun, Kevin Ward, Keith Stegall, Fred Jerkins III, Tommy Sims, producing power trio PAJAM, Antonio Neal, Avriele Crandle, Otto Price, Ronald Owen and Charlie Hall.

Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Christian/gospel music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, r&b, hip-hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 4,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week, GMA Music in the Rockies, and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit http://www.gospelmusic.org/

A founding sponsor, BMI has helped the festival evolve into a highly anticipated destination for Nashville hit makers. The event’s emphasis on the songs and camaraderie of minds that create them has attracted a diverse collection of new participants each year. First-time attendees this year include hit songwriters Keith Follese, Marty Dodson and Bobby Pinson, auspicious singer/songwriters Luke Laird, Jimmy Stewart and Brandon Jane, up-and-comers Courtney Dashe and Jennifer Stegall, and alt-country heroines Suzi Ragsdale and Kate York.

The list of BMI artists and songwriters slated to attend this year features a jaw-dropping array of talent. Performers include Hugh Prestwood, Keith Stegall, Jamey Johnson, Scotty Emerick, Vicky McGehee, Wendell Mobley, Bart Allmand, Randy Houser, Wayd Battle, Chuck Cannon, Kent Blazy, Lee Brice, Morgane Hayes, D. Vincent Williams, Kylie Sackley, Phillip White, Amber White, Arlis Albritton, Billy Joe Walker, Jr. , Sherrié Austin, Christi Bauerlee, Christina Bell, Kris Bergsnes, Craig Boyd, Richie Brown, John Stone, Deanna Bryant, Lisa Carver, Stephanie Chapman, James Slater, Cliff Cody, Doug Colton, Dallas Davidson, Brian Davis, Fred Wilhelm, Dillon Dixon, Rob Hatch, Pete Sallis, James Dean Hicks, Aleysha Hoffman, Natalie Howard, Kyle Jacobs, Tim James, Ken Johnson, Chuck Jones, David Lee, Levi Simms, Cole Lee, Lauren Lucas, John Mabe, Will Rambeaux, Jason Matthews, Lila McCann, Chas Sandford, Jim McCormick, Jimmy Melton, Sally Mudd, Danny Myrick, Anna Owens, Melissa Pierce, Leslie Satcher, Jen Schott, Elisa Vazzana, Bruce Wallace, Emily West, Melinda Williams, Blake Wise and trio Rhiannon.

For the complete festival schedule, ticket information, performer profiles and line-up, please visit www.kwswf.com or call 305.296.4222.

BMI Performer Schedule at 2007 Key West Songwriters’ Festival

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

6-8pm - Kick-Off show @ The Top (La Concha Hotel on Duval)
7-7:45pm - James Slater

8pm -  Rum Barrel
8pm -  Randy Houser, Brian Davis & Jon Stone
9:30pm - Southland

10pm -  Conch Republic
10pm -  Jamey Johnson, Bobby Pinson & David Lee
10:45pm -  Scotty Emerick
11:30pm -  D. Vincent Williams & Chuck Jones

10pm-2am -  Hog/BMI Stage
The Massacoustics

Thursday, May 3, 2007

1-8pm - Hog/BMI Stage
1-3pm - Cliff Cody & Arlis Albritton
3-4pm - Christina Bell & Mike Loudermilk
4-5pm - Natalie Howard & Katy Kiefer
5-6pm - Sally Mudd & Christi Bauerlee
6-8pm - Pete Sallis & Jim McCormick

4pm - Blue Heaven
4pm - Phillip & Amber White, Cory Heydon, Suzi Ragsdale
4:45pm - Lauren Lucas, Stephanie Chapm - an, Kate York, Misty Loggins
5:30pm - Leslie Satcher, Kent Blazy, Jason Matthews, Courtney Dashe

8pm - Pier House Beach Show hosted by Scott Kirby
8pm - Lila McCann, Jen Schott, Melissa Pierce, Lisa Carver
8:45pm - Keith Stegall & Jen Stegall
9:15pm - Kylie Sackley & Lee Brice
10pm -  Brandon Jane, Luke Laird, Sherrié Austin, Jimmy Stewart

10pm -  Cowboy Bill’s
10pm -  Jon Mabe, Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Anna Owens, Blake Wise
11pm -  Tim James, Fred Wilhelm, Bruce Wallace & Jimmy Melton
12am Wayd Battle, Ritchie Brown, Dallas Davidson, Chas Sandford

10pm-2am - Hog/BMI Stage
The Massacoustics

Friday, May 4, 2007

1-8pm - Hog/BMI Stage
1-2pm - Southland
2-3pm - Ken Johnson & Ben Margulies
3-4pm - Rhiannon
4-5pm - Doug Colton & Aleysha Hoffman
5-6pm - Jon Mabe & Friends
6-7pm - Pat McLaughlin
7-8pm - Fred Wilhelm & Friends

4pm - Sloppy Joes
4pm - Willie Mack, Tim James, Deanna Bryant, Sherrié Austin
5pm - Kyle Jacobs, Blake Wise, Bart Allmand, Danny Myrick

5:30pm - Green Parrot “Sound Check”
5:30-6:45pm -    Southland

6pm - Fury Sunset Sail
Lee Brice & Kylie Sackley

6pm - Piano Show @ Doubletree
6pm -   Christina Bell & Mike Loudermilk
6:30pm - Chris Tompkins
7pm - James Slater & Dallas Davidson

8pm - Hog’s Breath Upstairs Writers Room
8pm - James Dean Hicks
8:30pm - Hugh Prestwood & Don Schlitz
9:15pm - Scotty Emerick
10pm -  Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Luke Laird

8pm - Tropic Cinema
8pm - Dave Berg, Walt Aldridge, Wendell Mobley & Marty Dodson
9pm - Phillip & Amber White
9:45pm - Chuck Cannon & Chuck Jones

10pm -  Green Parrot
Dillon Dixon, James Dean Hicks & D. Vincent Williams

10pm - -2am Hog/BMI Stage
The Massacoustics

Saturday, May 5, 2007

1-5pm - Hog/BMI Stage
1-3pm - Pete Sallis & Jim McCormick
3-4pm - Jason Matthews
4-5pm - Kent Blazy

1pm - Southernmost Cinco De Mayo Pool Party
1-2pm - Rob Hatch, Cliff Cody, Dillon Dixon
2-3pm - Randy Houser, Brian Davis, Jon Stone

5pm - Cinco De Mayo Bash at Hog’s Breath

6pm - Fury Sunset Sail
Dillon Dixon & James Dean Hicks

8pm - Hog’s Breath Upstairs Writers Room
8pm - Bobby Pinson & Leslie Satcher
8:45pm - D. Vincent Williams & Wendell Mobley
9:30pm - Chuck Cannon & Chuck Jones

8pm - Tropic Cinema
8pm - Courtney Dashe, Misty Loggins, Kyle Jacobs & Jen Schott
9pm - Byron Hill, Hugh Prestwood, Pat McLaughlin, Keith Follese
10pm - Scotty Emerick

10pm - Buck’s Bottle Cap
10pm - Natalie Howard, Chas Sandford & David Lee
10:45pm - Phillip & Amber White
11:15pm - Jamey Johnson, Jon Stone, Wayd Battle

10pm - 2am Hog/BMI Stage
The Massacoustics

Sunday, May 6, 2007

1-5pm - Hog/BMI Stage
1-2pm - Christina Bell & Mike Loudermilk
2-3pm - Deanna Bryant
3-4pm - Suzi Ragsdale
4-5pm - Kate York

6pm - Sunset Show @ Westin
Christina Bell, Mike Loudermilk,  Natalie Howard, Katy Kiefer,  Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Anna Owens, Jon  Mabe, Chuck Jones, Chuck Cannon, Lisa Carver and many more.

Chad Warrix (left) and D-Tox (right) of Halfway to Hazard perform a spirited set that showcased the duo’s winning chemistry.

Chad Warrix of Halfway to Hazard belts out one of the duo's tunes. Halfway to Hazard are currently recording their debut album for Mercury.

2006 BMI Songwriter of the Year Vicky McGehee ("All Jacked Up"), singer-songwriter Sherrié Austin ("Lucky in Love"), Curb recording artist Lee Brice, up-and-coming artist Mitzi Dawn, MCA recording artist and songwriter Randy Houser ("Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"), hit songwriter Tim James ("My List"), r&b producer and songwriter Ben Margulies (Mariah Carey's "Someday"), hit songwriters Kendell Marvel ("Right Where I Need to Be") and James Slater ("In My Daughter's Eyes"), singer-songwriter Kylie Sackley ("Nothin' Bout Love Makes Sense"), songwriter and producer Keith Stegall ( "Dallas"), and Mercury recording artists and songwriting team D-Tox and Chad Warrix were thrown together for three nights of shows, camaraderie and re-charging.

Chad Warrix, Lee Brice and Ben Margulies don't need drums.

Kylie Sackley is all smiles as she performs an acoustic set with Lee Brice.

Veteran hit songwriter and longtime Alan Jackson producer Keith Stegall (middle) wows the audience and his fellow performers Sherrié Austin (left) and Ben Margulies (right).

Sherrié Austin performed soon after the group arrived in Nassau.

The whole group gets together for a shot. Pictured are (l to r): First Row: Curb recording artist Lee Brice with BMI's Mark Mason; Second Row: one half of duo Halfway to Hazard D-Tox, singer-songwriter Sherrié Austin, r&b producer & hit songwriter Ben Margulies, BMI's Mary Loving, and RPM Management's Ryan Cook; Third Row: hit songwriters Kendell Marvel and James Slater, Travis Television's Greg Travis, Halfway to Hazard member Chad Warrix, hit songwriter Kylie Sackley, hit songwriter and producer Keith Stegall, GAC's Storme Warren, songwriters Mitzi Dawn and Tim James, and BMI's Bradley Collins.

Photos by Jonathan Sims

Sherrié Austin	Lee Brice	Randy Houser

"There's something about uprooting every once and a while-jumping into a different environment-that stirs creativity," says BMI's Mark Mason. "Whether it's the idea, the melody or an actual line, hit songs are born during this festival."

Kendell Marvel	Vicky McGehee	Kylie Sackley

The attendees will perform three shows: Friday, Nov. 10 at the Hard Rock Café Nassau, starting at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 11 at Dicky Mo's Cable Beach, starting at 8 p.m.; and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, the festival concludes with the Crystal Palace Pool Party. Tickets will be available at the door of each venue.

James Slater	Keith Stegall

Additional event sponsors include festival host Cable Beach Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, American Airlines, Blue Sky Real Estate, Stella Artois, Nygard Cay Resort, Junkanoo Rum, Country Music Across America, the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Caldwell Travel, Dicky Mo's, the Hard Rock Café Nassau and Bahamas Experience Transportation.]]> 2006-10-19T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/334875 Artists, Alabama, Jennings, Waylon, Murrah Music, Stegall, Keith, Tillis, Mel, White, Phillip, Musical Styles, Country, Gospel, Pop, Rock, Musicworld, Feature Indie Publisher Spotlight:
Mentoring Role Helps Murrah Music Thrive

In the highly competitive world of music publishing, it can sometimes be difficult to find accord on even the most minor question.

Not so when the subject is Roger Murrah. In addition to a songwriting career filled with hits for such luminaries as Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson and Alabama, Murrah’s Nashville-based indie publisher Murrah Music has become one of the country scene’s most important publishers — what Glenn Middleworth, Vice President of Creative for Famous Music-Nashville, calls “perhaps the best independent publishing house in town.”

Adds Karen Conrad, longtime Nashville publisher and consultant to BMG Songs Nashville: “Roger is one of those rare people who has great musical talent and business organizational skills. His contribution to the Nashville music industry as a songwriter and a mentor to other writers has been tremendous.”

“Roger has been a mentor and friend and taught me the difference between a good song and a great song,” says writer/producer Keith Stegall, now the Chief Creative Officer at Broken Bow Records. “Lyrically speaking, he taught me that less is always more.”

Murrah’s own modest demeanor belies his considerable achievements, which includes two consecutive terms as president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), a term as chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Foundation (NSF, where he currently serves as chairman), a BMI Songwriter of the Year citation, and, for Al Jarreau’s “We’re in This Love Together,” a BMI Million-Air Award recognizing the hit’s one million-plus radio performances.

Not bad for someone who just wanted to be a singer.

Born in Athens, Ala., Murrah taught himself how to play music on a piano his father had traded a pick-up truck for. “I think he felt it was good to have around us — he traded trucks, cattle, everything, but that was definitely his most unusual trade,” he recalls with a laugh. “I learned just enough to write, and since I’d learned by ear I always kept it simple, didn’t ever really get too complicated.”

While serving in the Army in 1968, Murrah signed on as a staff writer with Muscle Shoals music publisher/producer Rick Hall. Following his military service, he and some partners opened a recording studio in Huntsville, Ala., ultimately forming a relationship with industry vet Bobby Bare; by 1972 Murrah had relocated to Nashville to sign with Bare’s Return Music, and a year later had married the former Kitty Goodman and notched his first nationally charted song, “It’s Raining In Seattle,” recorded by Wynn Stewart.

“I actually got into the business to be a singer,” Murrah notes. “I kind of backed into songwriting, but that took off once I was in Nashville. I was successful enough with it to not have to worry about my singing career. In the end it worked out for the best, because I wasn’t really cut out to be on the road all the time.”

Murrah’s ascent as a songwriter started gradually, but quickly picked up speed. “At that stage in your career the least things can be very exciting to you, giving you hope to tide you over for a couple of years,” he says. “It was a long and drawn out process, but it was all necessary to learn how to write. I was also pitching a lot of songs, which I enjoyed.”

So much so, in fact, that by 1987 he was co-publishing his own material with Tom Collins Music. “One day I stood on Tom’s front porch and, both figuratively and literally, looked up and down Music Row and nothing appealed to me that would work. So I decided to step out on a limb and try it myself. It was,” he says, “the best move I ever made in my career.”

Within two years of its 1990 inception, Murrah Music was named Billboard’s Independent Publisher of the Year, due in no small part to Murrah’s own songwriting for such acts as Mel Tillis, Conway Twitty and the Oak Ridge Boys, as well as by such developing writers as Rachel Thibodeau, Mike Mobley, Neal Coty and Jon Henderson.

Murrah’s interest in working with new talent — more than a few Nashville figures describe him as a “mentor” — is something that comes naturally. “I love helping to train new writers and help them come along. Sharing their first success gives me an opportunity to go through that again.”

Such an approach is what separates the independents from the majors, he says. “Big corporations are not so interested in training writers; they want and to some degree need to hit the ground earning. As a result, it’s difficult to impossible for large corporations to maintain a close personal relationship with writers, especially young writers. It’s more about the bottom line and the money. They become bankers, bankrolling writers.

“But a writer needs to feel there’s a contact there, there’s warm bodies. Being a writer myself, I can help them grow quicker, by working closely and helping to nurture them.”

Currently, Murrah Music represents 10 writers besides Murrah himself, and administers about 10,000 copyrights. The company is always on the lookout for catalog acquisitions, and represents songs by Mark Alan Springer, Phillip White, Jimmy Melton and Pat Terry.

And as he continues to work tirelessly with the NSF, whose goal is to build a Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame (he hopes to make a “major announcement” later this year), Murrah’s personality and reputation continue to impress others in the community.

“Roger has always been one of my favorite writers and has written some of my all-time favorite songs,” says Renee Bell, Senior VP, A&R, RCA Label Group, who estimates she’s known Murrah for nearly two decades. “He is an incredible mentor for writers, and this is why he has had one of the most successful independent publishing companies in town over the past 16 years.”

“I used to pop over to Tom Collins Music, which was right across the street from where I worked in the mailroom at RCA Records, back in the early ’80s,” says Famous’ Middleworth. “I loved to hang out and listen to Roger's new songs and Tom's stories and perspective about the publishing biz. I think that's when I decided I wanted to get into publishing.”

“When a songwriter becomes a publisher, very often he doesn’t stick with it and he goes back to being a songwriter,” Murrah reflects. “But I always enjoyed exercising both sides of my brain, as it were: When I’m working the business side I give the creative side a rest, and when I work the creative side I give the business side a rest.”