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Recent Kris Kristofferson Updates

The Genius of Billy Sherrill

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The word genius is bandied about far too often. Sometimes flippant but often rooted in the depths of fervent, if over-eager, admiration, the label has lost some of its luster. “She’s a genius” just doesn’t sparkle like it used to. But listen: Billy Sherrill is a genius. Listen to Tammy Wynette’s “’Til I Can Make It on My Own.” The song seems to tremble…

From MusicWorld, posted 11.09.10

Billy Sherrill to be Honored as Icon at 58th Annual BMI Country Awards

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BMI will name Billy Sherrill, the father of the contemporary country sound, a BMI Icon during its 58th annual Country Awards, slated for Tuesday, November 9 at the organization’s Music Row offices in Nashville. In addition to crowning Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year, the black-tie ceremony will celebrate the songwriters and publishers of the past year’s 50 most-performed country songs from the BMI catalog. The…

From News, posted 10.01.10

Don Black to be Named Icon at BMI London Awards

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Songwriter Don Black, OBE will be honored as a BMI Icon at the U.S. performing right organization’s annual London Awards. The ceremony is slated for Tuesday, October 5 at London’s Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant; BMI Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Phil Graham; and Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Europe & Asia Brandon Bakshi, the invitation-only gala recognizes…

From News, posted 9.02.10

Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson Saluted with Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award

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The Nashville music community came together to celebrate BMI pioneers Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson with the seventh annual Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, presented during the organization’s gala dinner on Sunday, August 29 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Music City. Vince Gill hosted the ceremony and Shawn Camp led the ace…

From News, posted 8.31.10

Margaret Ann Rich Dies

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Songwriter Margaret Ann Rich has died. The wife of late legend Charlie Rich, she was also a magnetic creative force in her own right, and Rich credited her as one of the key reasons for his success. Her best-known work, “Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs,” was inimitably recorded by her husband as well as Ricky Van Shelton, who topped country charts with his version. She…

From News, posted 7.23.10

BMI Greats Dominate American Songwriter Top 50 List, Icon Merle Haggard Featured

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Nashville music writer and singer/songwriter Peter Cooper recently compiled “50 Country Songs Every Songwriter Should Know,” and the majority of ranking honky-tonk prototypes are BMI classics. Featured in the current issue of American Songwriter, the list kicks off with “Lost Highway,” penned by BMI songwriter Leon Payne and inimitably recorded by BMI legend Hank Williams. In fact, eight out of the top ten genre-shapers are BMI standards:…

From News, posted 6.09.10

Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster Tapped as Dale Franklin Award Recipients

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Leadership Music will present the Dale Franklin Award to BMI Icons Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, as well as BMI legend Fred Foster, during the organization’s annual benefit gala, slated for Sunday, August 29 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. Named for the first executive director of Leadership Music, the award was created “to recognize a music industry leader who…

From News, posted 5.23.10

John Fogerty Named BMI Icon at 58th Annual BMI Pop Music Awards

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RedOne Earns Songwriter of the Year Crown; Taylor Swift’s "Love Story" Named Song of the Year; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Earns Publisher of the Year BMI held its 58th annual Pop Music Awards tonight at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. John Fogerty was celebrated as a BMI Icon; RedOne claimed his first-ever Songwriter of the Year crown; and “Love Story”…

From News, posted 5.19.10

Rock-and-Roll Songwriting Giant Bobby Charles Dies

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Legendary songwriter Bobby Charles has died. He was 71. The co-writer of classics including Fats Domino’s “Walking to New Orleans,” Frogman Henry’s “I Don’t Know Why I Love You (But I Do),” Bill Haley & the Comets’ “See You Later Alligator,” and many others, Charles veritably helped launch rock-and-roll. The recipient of numerous BMI Pop and R&B Awards, Charles created a rich catalog that…

From News, posted 1.15.10

Kris Kristofferson, Taylor Swift, Bobby Pinson, and More Honored at 2009 BMI Country Awards

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The 57th Annual BMI Country Awards celebrated the genre’s top hit-makers tonight in Nashville. In addition to toasting the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most-performed country songs from the BMI repertoire, the ceremony honored Kris Kristofferson as a BMI Icon; named Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” Song of the Year, Bobby Pinson Songwriter of the Year, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Publisher of…

From News, posted 11.10.09

Musicians Hall of Fame Inducts BMI Pioneers

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Industry admirers, peers, and contemporary stars gathered to salute the 2009 class of virtuosos inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame on Monday, October 12 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. BMI legends Chet Atkins, Fred Foster, Charlie Daniels, Billy Cox, and band Toto all became members of the prestigious club that already includes…

From News, posted 10.14.09

Kris Kristofferson to be Honored as Icon at 57th Annual BMI Country Awards

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Kris Kristofferson will be honored as a BMI Icon at the 57th annual BMI Country Awards, the oldest awards saluting country's top music makers. Slated for Tuesday, November 10 at BMI's Music Row offices in Nashville, the black-tie, invitation-only gala will also celebrate the songwriters of the past year's most-performed country songs from the extensive BMI catalog. The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters and artists…

From News, posted 6.30.09

Crosby, Stills & Nash Enter Songwriters Hall of Fame

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Holland-Dozier-Holland Receive Johnny Mercer Award Crosby, Stills & Nash numbered among the elite few inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 18 in New York. Folk-pop pioneer James Taylor officially inducted the trio after performing a medley of CSN classics including “Love the One You’re With,” “Long Time Gone,” and “Teach Your Children.” Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of…

From News, posted 6.24.09

2009 Inductees Announced for Musicians Hall of Fame

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The 2009 inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame include a slew of BMI legends: Chet Atkins, Fred Foster, Charlie Daniels, Billy Cox, and band TOTO will all become members of the prestigious club that already includes Booker T. & The MGs, The Crickets, Duane Eddy, Al Kooper, The Memphis Horns, The…

From News, posted 6.08.09

NSAI Assumes Ownership of Bluebird Cafe

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) will ring in 2008 by assuming ownership and full operating responsibility of legendary songwriter venue the Bluebird Café. Amy Kurland founded the Bluebird in 1982, and what began as a gourmet restaurant featuring acoustic live music developed into a virtual academy for aspiring singer/songwriters and beloved showcase hall for established masters. NSAI will retain Kurland's cherished staff and time-tested method of operation, ensuring the…

From News, posted 11.30.07

Willie Nelson, Jeffrey Steele, Sony/ATV Earn Top Honors at BMI Country Awards

Awards Honor Premier Songwriters and Publishers at BMI's 55th Annual Ceremony The BMI Country Awards turned a spry 55 years old as they were held tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the performing right organization's Music Row offices in Nashville. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) - the first home for country music - was also the first U.S. organization to honor the genre's songwriters and publishers with their own awards show in…

From News, posted 11.07.07

Ed Hill

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Growing up on a cotton farm in California might not seem like the best preparation for a songwriting career, but for Ed Hill, BMI’s 2006 Songwriter of the Year, it held plenty of valuable lessons that have helped him rise to the top of his profession. The biggest one probably applied after he had been in Nashville awhile struggling, trying to make things happen and painting houses…

From MusicWorld, posted 7.26.07

Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood Win Big at 40th Annual CMA Awards

Big wins for BMI affiliates including powerhouse pair Brooks & Dunn, explosive newcomer Carrie Underwood, fan and critical favorite Keith Urban, and multiplatinum-selling Rascal Flatts dominated the 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards, held Nov. 6 in Nashville. The ceremony, which took place downtown at Gaylord Entertainment Center, featured a slew of live performances and plenty of extra room…

From News, posted 11.06.06

BMI Legends Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings Inducted Into Hollywood RockWalk

BMI's Barbara Cane, Tracie Verlinde and Joe Maggini were on hand to celebrate the induction of legendary BMI songwriters Kris Kristofferson and the late Waylon Jennings into the Hollywood RockWalk in Los Angeles. BMI country singer/songwriter Jessi Colter, Jennings' wife, accepted the posthumous induction in his honor.

From News, posted 7.09.06

Song Hall Honors Thom Bell, Mac Davis, Kris Kristofferson

The 2006 Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony pulled out all the stops as SHOF Chairman/CEO Hal David and President Linda Moran helped honor BMI songwriting heavyweights Thom Bell, Mac Davis, Will Jennings, Sylvia Moy and Kris Kristofferson. The 37th annual induction ceremony, which also saluted songwriters Henry Cosby, John Mayer, Peter, Paul &…

From News, posted 6.19.06

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