Recent Dolly Parton Updates
Charlie Louvin Dies

Charlie Louvin passed away early Wednesday morning at his home in Wartrace, Tennessee. He was 83 years old. With his brother Ira, he began his career as one half of the Louvin Brothers. The legendary duo’s harmonies were as complex as they were haunting, delivering many of hillbilly country’s most forlorn love songs, gospel musings, eerie murder ballads, and winking story songs on albums including “Tragic Songs…
Ken Hirsch Wins Big in U.S.A. Songwriting Competition

BMI songwriter Ken Hirsch took top honors in the 15th annual U.S.A. Songwriting Competition. An established hit-maker based in Los Angeles, Hirsch co-wrote “Is that So Bad,” which claimed first prize in the pop category as well as second prize in the overall competition. Also the writer of chart-topper “I’ve Never Been to Me,” Hirsch has written songs recorded by Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder,
Taylor Swift, Liz Rose, Billy Sherrill & More Honored at 2010 BMI Country Music Awards

BMI saluted the songwriters and publishers behind country music’s most-performed songs of the past year tonight during the 58th annual BMI Country Awards. The ceremony was held in the company’s Music Row offices. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant hosted the gala with Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville. At 20 years old, Taylor Swift became the youngest person ever to win the…
The Genius of Billy Sherrill

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

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…
BMI Brings Panel on ‘Music for Change’ to 2010 Woodstock Film Festival

BMI will present “Music for Change,” a panel showcasing both prominent and emerging musicians and filmmakers who use music as a tool for social change, during the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival in Woodstock, New York. Slated for October 2 at 4 p.m. in Utopia Studios, the conversation will be moderated by Doreen Ringer Ross, BMI Vice President, Film/TV Relations. Director Kenneth Bowser, composers Miriam Cutler and Sussan Deyhim, producer Summer…
Don Black to be Named Icon at BMI London Awards

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

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

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:…
Harlan Howard’s Chart Magic

When British troupe One Eskimo shot to the top of AAA charts, present and past collided. The band’s “Kandi” is a combination of freewheeling cover, inspired original, and DJ-sampling savvy: As One Eskimo frontman Kristian Leontiou’s lilting vocals launch into the familiar refrain of “He Called Me Baby,” he is suddenly joined by Candi Staton’s original recording. Her delivery aches just as acutely more…
Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster Tapped as Dale Franklin Award Recipients

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…
John Fogerty Named BMI Icon at 58th Annual BMI Pop Music Awards
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”…
Taylor Swift to Receive Hal David Starlight Award

Taylor Swift will receive the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award during the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards dinner, slated for Thursday, June 17 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. In making the announcement, Hal David, Chairman/CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, emphasized the magnitude of Swift’s breakthrough: "Taylor Swift is one of the brightest musical talents to emerge in recent years, and represents the…
Ke$ha Plays for Keeps

It-girl Ke$ha wields a persona as bold as it is authentic. The singer, whom you heard belting out the hook on Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” is actually the daughter of a true-blue, honest-to-goodness punk rock musician Pebe Sebert, best known for penning the Dolly Parton hit, “Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.” Sebert trained her children to seize the things they wanted in life, which is…
Miranda Lambert’s Revolution

"I have no idea what makes a song a hit single,” says Miranda Lambert. “There’s no rulebook for that. I just cut songs I love, and then hope that radio will play them.” Rulebook or not, Lambert has struck a deep chord with fans and critics alike. Each of her first two major-label albums — 2005’s Kerosene and 2007’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend –— placed high on a slew…
Musicians Hall of Fame Inducts BMI Pioneers

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…
Donovan to be Named Icon at BMI London Awards

Donovan will be named a BMI Icon at the annual BMI London Awards, slated for Tuesday, October 6 at London’s Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane. The invitation-only gala will recognize the UK and European songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most-played BMI songs on American radio and television. The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters who have bestowed “a unique and indelible influence on generations of…
Kris Kristofferson to be Honored as Icon at 57th Annual BMI Country Awards

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…
Crosby, Stills & Nash Enter Songwriters Hall of Fame

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…
2009 Inductees Announced for Musicians Hall of Fame

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…
