BMI Plays ‘The Game of Love’ for Song of the Year at 52nd Annual Pop Awards
BMI saluted the past year's 50 most performed songs during the 52nd Annual Pop Awards on May 11, with superlatives reserved for "The Game of Love" as Song of the Year, Lauren Christy and Scott Spock as Songwriters of the Year and Warner/Chappell Music Group 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 a tribute to artist/writer/producer Brian Wilson, named a BMI Icon.
| Click here for photos from the event |
| Click for bios of: Brian Wilson | Gregg Alexander | The Matrix |
"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).
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| 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.
Below is the complete list of 2004 BMI Pop Music Awards winners:
ALL I HAVE
Ronald Bowser
Jennifer Lopez
David McPherson
Curtis Richardson
David McPhersongs
Eagle Note Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Nuyorican Publishing
Ron G Music
Jennifer Lopez with LL Cool J
Epic Records
ALL MY LIFE
Dave Grohl
Nate Mendel
Chris Shiflett
EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.
Flying Earform Music
I Love The Punk Rock Music
MJ Twelve Music
Foo Fighters
Roswell/RCA Records
ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?
Michelle Branch
I'm Still With The Band Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Michelle Branch
Maverick Records
THE BOYS OF SUMMER
Don Henley
Woody Creek Music
The Ataris
Columbia Records
BRING ME TO LIFE
David Hodges
Amy Lee
Ben Moody
Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
Forthefallen Publishing
Zombies Ate My Publishing
Evanescence
Wind-Up Records
BUMP, BUMP, BUMP
R. Kelly
R. Kelly Publishing, Inc.
Zomba Songs Inc.
B2K featuring P. Diddy
Epic Records
BY THE WAY
Flea
John Frusciante
Anthony Kiedis
Chad Smith
Moebetoblame Music
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Warner Bros. Records
COMPLICATED (2nd Award)
Lauren Christy
Scott Spock
Mr. Spock Music
Rainbow Fish Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Avril Lavigne
Arista Records
CRAZY IN LOVE
Rich Harrison
Eugene Record
Dam Rich Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Unichappell Music, Inc.
Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
Columbia Records
CRY
Angie Aparo
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Potty Mouth Publishing
Rounded Music
Faith Hill
Warner Bros. Nashville
DILEMMA
Kenneth Gamble
Walter "Bunny" Sigler
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
Fo Reel Records
DISEASE
Rob Thomas
Bidnis, Inc.
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Matchbox Twenty
Atlantic Records
DON'T KNOW WHY
Jesse Harris
Beanly Songs
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Norah Jones
Blue Note
FINE AGAIN
Shaun Morgan
Dale Stewart
Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
Seether Publishing
Seether & Kevin Soffera, Pat Callahan
Wind-Up Records
FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS
Shania Twain
Loon Echo, Inc.
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Shania Twain
Mercury Nashville
THE GAME OF LOVE
Gregg Alexander
Keepin' It Real How 'Bout You Music Publishing
Santana featuring Michelle Branch
Arista Records
GANGSTA LOVIN'
Jonah Ellis
Lonnie Simmons
Alisa Peoples Yarbrough
Taking Care of Business Music
Eve w/Alicia Keys
Ruff Ryders Records
GOTTA GET THRU THIS
Daniel Bedingfield (PRS)
Reverb America Music, Inc.
Daniel Bedingfield
Island Records
HEAVEN (2nd Award)
Bryan Adams
Adams Communications, Inc. (SOCAN)
Irving Music
DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do
Robbins Records
HEY MA
Cam'Ron
Killa Cam Music
Cam’Ron w/Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey and Toya
Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records
I'M GONNA GETCHA GOOD!
Shania Twain
Loon Echo, Inc.
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Shania Twain
Mercury Nashville
I'M WITH YOU
Lauren Christy
Scott Spock
Mr. Spock Music
Rainbow Fish Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Avril Lavigne
Arista Records
IGNITION
R. Kelly
R. Kelly Publishing, Inc.
Zomba Songs Inc.
R. Kelly
Jive Records
IN A LITTLE WHILE
Uncle Kracker
Gaje Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Uncle Kracker
Top Dog Records
INTUITION
Lester Mendez
Apollinaire Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Jewel
Atlantic Records
JENNY FROM THE BLOCK
Jennifer Lopez
Michael Ian Oliver (PRS)
Poke
EKOP Publishing LLC
EMI-Unart Catalog, Inc.
Nuyorican Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Jennifer Lopez featuring Jadakiss & Styles
Epic Records
JUST LIKE A PILL
Dallas Austin
Cyptron Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Pink
Arista Records
LANDSLIDE (2nd Award)
Stevie Nicks
Welsh Witch Music
Dixie Chicks
Monument Records
LIKE A STONE
Tim Commerford
Tom Morello
Brad Wilk
LBV Songs
Me Three Publishing
Melee Savvy Music
Audioslave
Interscope Records
LIKE I LOVE YOU
Pharrell Williams
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Waters Of Nazareth Publishing
Justin Timberlake featuring Clipse
Jive Records
LOSE YOURSELF
Jeff I. Bass
Eminem
Eight Mile Style Music
Eminem
Shady Records
MESMERIZE
Thom Bell
Linda Creed
Irv Gotti
Ja Rule
D J Irv Publishing
Ensign Music Corporation
Slavery Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Ja Rule featuring Ashanti
The Inc.
MISS INDEPENDENT
Christina Aguilera
Matt Morris
Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc.
Logrhythm Music
Xtina Music
Kelly Clarkson
RCA Records
MISS YOU
Teddy Bishop
Noontime Tunes
October Eighth Music, Incorporated
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Aaliyah
Blackground Records
A MOMENT LIKE THIS
Jorgen Elofsson (STIM)
John Reid
Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Kelly Clarkson
RCA Records
NO ONE KNOWS
Josh Homme
Mark Lanegan
Nick Oliveri
Board Stiff Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Natural Light Music
Queens of the Stone Age
Interscope Records
ONE LAST BREATH (2nd Award)
Scott Stapp
Mark Tremonti
Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
Tremonti Stapp Music
Creed
Wind-Up Records
PICTURE
Sheryl Crow
Kid Rock
Old Crow Music
Thirty-Two Mile Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Kid Rock with Sheryl Crow
Lava/Atlantic Records
THE REMEDY (I WON'T WORRY)
Lauren Christy
Scott Spock
Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc.
Rainbow Fish Publishing
Scott Spock Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Jason Mraz
Elektra
ROCK YOUR BODY
Pharrell Williams
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Waters Of Nazareth Publishing
Justin Timberlake
Jive Records
SEEIN' RED
Pat Kim
UM2 Music
Unwritten Law
Interscope Records
SOAK UP THE SUN (2nd Award)
Sheryl Crow
Old Crow Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Sheryl Crow
A & M Records
SOMEWHERE I BELONG
Chester Bennington
Rob Bourdon
Brad Delson
Dave Farrell
Joe Hahn
Mike Shinoda
Big Bad Mr. Hahn Music
Chesterchaz Publishing
Kenji Kobayashi Music
Nondisclosure Agreement Music
Pancakey Cakes Music
Rob Bourdon Music
Zomba Songs Inc.
Linkin Park
Warner Bros. Records
STILL FLY
Mannie Fresh
Bryan "Baby" Williams
Money Mack Music
Big Tymers
Cash Money Records
A THOUSAND MILES (2nd Award)
Vanessa Carlton
Rosasharn Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Vanessa Carlton
A & M Records
TIMES LIKE THESE
Dave Grohl
Nate Mendel
Chris Shiflett
EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.
Flying Earform Music
I Love The Punk Rock Music
MJ Twelve Music
Foo Fighters
Roswell/RCA Records
UNDERNEATH IT ALL
Dave Stewart (PRS)
Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc.
No Doubt featuring Lady Saw
Interscope Records
UNWELL
Rob Thomas
Bidnis, Inc.
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Matchbox Twenty
Atlantic Records
WHEN I'M GONE
Brad Arnold
Todd Harrell
Chris Henderson
Matt Roberts
Escatawpa Songs
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
3 Doors Down
Republic Records
WORK IT
Paul Simon
Paul Simon Music
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott
The Gold Mind
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