Country
From the Archives

Audrey Winters, Little Richard, Tammy Wynette and George Jones huddle for a photo at the 1974 BMI Country Awards in Nashville.
Indie Meets Mainstream: Geico Features Wrinkle Neck Mules in Latest Spot

Persevere long enough, and sometimes a stroke of great luck will come your way. That’s something Wrinkle Neck Mules have learned in recent months. This past November, Geico--yes, the insurance company famous for its Gecko spokes-creature--began airing a TV commercial featuring a snippet of “Central Daylight Time,” a song the Virginia-based band had recorded but not yet released. Neither the song-title nor the Mules are…
Kenny Chesney Leads List of 2012 ACM Awards Nominees

BMI songwriters and artists overwhelmingly dominate the list of 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards nominees, announced Thursday, January 26. BMI has historically represented the majority of country music’s leaders – from Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Porter Wagoner, to Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Merle Haggard – and a review of…
CMA Songwriters Series Expands to U.K. and Ireland with BMI in Feb. 2012

The Country Music Association's very popular CMA Songwriters Series is coming to the U.K. and Ireland for the first time with special performances in February 2012 scheduled for London, Belfast, and Dublin, CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore announced today. The international tour will be known as CMA & BMI Present the CMA Songwriter Series. DATES Wednesday, February 22 London Islington Assembly Hall…
New Digital MusicWorld Issue: Top 7 Videos of 2011 and More

Check out the last BMI MusicWorld digital issue of 2011, featuring… Seven 2011 Video Clips You Don’t Want to Miss: Throughout the year, BMI captures exclusive moments on video. From sharing a career high with Lady Gaga to advice from pop master David Foster to a mad dash through SXSW with Welsh phenom Bright Light Bright Light, we’ve picked…
BMI Video: 7 Clips from 2011 You Don’t Want to Miss

Throughout the year, BMI captures exclusive moments on video. From sharing a career high with Lady Gaga to advice from pop master David Foster to a mad dash through SXSW with Welsh phenom Bright Light Bright Light, we’ve picked our seven small-screen favorites from 2011. David Foster’s 10 Tips for Songwriters When David Foster was…
The BMI Holiday Countdown

James Brown, “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” With its tightly intertwined rhythms, percussive horns and traditional jump-blues bridge, “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” catches the incomparable James Brown during a period of transition—moving from the hard-hitting soul of 1965’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and “I Got You (I Feel Good)” to the…
Spotlight: First-Time BMI Songwriting Award Winners

For a composer or lyricist, being recognized for a songwriting achievement never loses its luster, no matter how many times such an honor comes an artist’s way. Still, the thrill that results from being a “first-time” winner is always especially memorable. In 2011, BMI staged seven ceremonies that recognized the writers, publishers and producers of the most-performed songs of the past year, in a wide range of genres. When asked…
Remembering Barbara Orbison: 1951-2011

Barbara Orbison, the widow of rock-and-roll architect Roy Orbison, died at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center on December 6, 2011, on the 23rd anniversary of her husband’s death. Orbison lost a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 60 years old. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Orbison was a savvy music publisher and manager, BMI songwriter and proud steward of her…
Save the Week: Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival Preps for 17th Year

The Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI will make paradise even sweeter during the event’s 17th annual installment Wednesday, May 2 through Sunday, May 6 in its island namesake. Benefiting Operation Homefront, the festival will feature more than 100 top-tier performing songwriters in favorite venues conveniently located throughout the island. Anchor sponsor BMI will continue its widespread support of the fest, leading Key West’s annual transformation…

