Recent BMI Europe News
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…
BMI Songwriters Snag Six Brit Awards
The stars were aligned for several BMI singer/songwriters who won awards at the 2008 Brit Awards, held February 20 at Earl’s Court in London. Broadcast live on British network ITV1, BMI winners include a range of stateside and European talent lauded at the U.K’s premier award show. Mark Ronson Mika Kanye West First time winners include Mark Ronson…
Leona Lewis, Mika Top Brit Award Nominations
BMI’s U.K. singer/songwriters accounted for a sizeable amount of the Brit Award nominations, announced January 14 at London’s legendary Roundhouse in Camden. Leona Lewis and Mika, with four nominations each, lead the way at The Brit Awards, the U.K.’s premier award show, which will be broadcast live on British network ITV1 on February 20 at Earl’s Court in London. Leona Lewis, 2006 X Factor winner, scored nods for British…
Snow Patrol Receives BMI Awards

Moments before stepping onstage at their “Little Noise Sessions” acoustic gig at the Union Chapel in north London, Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody and Nathan Connolly were presented with BMI Awards for more than a million combined U.S. performances of their hits “Chasing Cars” and “Hands Open.” The performance was held to benefit Mencap, the United Kingdom’s leading learning disability charity. Hailing from Ireland, Snow Patrol released their…
Jazz Sensation Receives Gold Badge Award

UK jazz star Jamie Cullum became the youngest writer at age 26 to receive a prestigious Gold Badge Award, presented by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters on October 24 at The Savoy, Strand, in London. Cullum was born in Essex but grew up in Wiltshire where he absorbed all genres of music, favoring jazz luminaries such as Miles Davis,
James Blunt Receives BMI London Internet Award

BMI’s Nick Robinson recently presented singer/songwriter James Blunt with his 2007 BMI Internet Award for the song “You’re Beautiful,” co-written with Amanda Ghost and Sacha Skarbek. “You’re Beautiful” received the most plays on BMI-licensed websites for the past year and is the first song to receive this honor at BMI’s London Awards, held October 16 at the Dorchester Hotel. Blunt was also presented with two BMI Pop…
Peter Gabriel Receives Top Honor at BMI London Awards

BMI saluted Europe’s premier songwriters, composers and music publishers at its 2007 London Awards, held October 16 in the Grand Ballroom of London’s Dorchester Hotel. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant, along with Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Europe & Asia, Brandon Bakshi, the awards honored the past year’s most-played songs on U.S. radio and television and also recognized Peter Gabriel (PRS) as a BMI Icon…
New Wave of U.K. Acts Storms the States

Every few years, a U.K. wave crashes ashore in the U.S., accompanied by boatloads of hyperbolic press clips extolling the new big things. All too often, however, the acts ride out with the next low tide. This time, however, the artists are combining critical acclaim with commercial success. Snow Patrol KT Tunstall Corinne Bailey Rae When Amy Winehouse’s…
Winehouse Takes Top Songwriting Honor at Ivor Novello Awards

PRS songwriter/artists represented by BMI in the U.S. had a strong showing at the 2007 Ivor Novello Awards, handed out May 23 in London by the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters in association with the Performing Right Society (PRS). The Ivors honor British songwriters and composers and their contributions to the music industry Amy Winehouse won Best Contemporary Song for “Rehab,” following up on her 2007…
UK Showcase Features Talented Trio of Acts

BMI was the key sponsor of a recent showcase held at the Gibson Guitar showcase room in London where The Overkills, Chris Singleton, and Kudos, all of whom are managed by Jay Mistry, entertained the crowd with lively sets.
The Raconteurs

Webster’s defines a “raconteur” as “one who excels at telling anecdotes.” Or in other words, a storyteller. Anyone who knows Jack White’s prodigious talents as a songwriter with The White Stripes would agree that he’s one of contemporary rock’s mightiest musical storytellers (as well as a premier stylist, guitarist and bandleader). Pair him with another notable songwriter and artist, White’s old Detroit pal Brendan…
Wolfmother

One might be forgiven for thinking someone had slipped something psychedelic and time-traveling into your mocha soy latte on first hearing Wolfmother’s debut U.S. album. Hailed as the return of the power trio, the Australian threesome take off where early Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin left off in the 1970s. With heavy power chords and riffing backed by a massive bass and drum attack, the group doesn’t…
Ray Davies: BMI Icon

It’s been more than 40 years since Ray Davies and the Kinks burst onto the pop music scene with “You Really Got Me.” The No. 1 English hit remains one of rock’s most primal songs, even credited by some as the first salvo of punk. He remains as vital as ever on his official solo debut, Other People’s Lives, which was hailed as “bloody brilliant” by Harp…
Kinks Frontman Ray Davies Takes Top Honor at BMI London Awards
BMI saluted the top European songwriters, composers and publishers at its 2006 London Awards, staged Oct. 3 in the Ballroom of London's Dorchester Hotel. In addition to honoring the past year's most-played songs on U.S. radio and television, the gala dinner and awards ceremony also recognized Kinks frontman and legendary songwriter Ray Davies (PRS) as a BMI Icon for his "enduring influence on generations of music makers."…
Dancehall Producer Donovan Bennett Visits BMI London
Acclaimed Jamaican producer/writer Donovan "Vendetta" Bennett is the latest hot dancehall/reggae talent to join BMI. Bennett, the man behind hits for such artists as Sean Paul and Elephant Man, stopped by the BMI London office to chat with Writer/Publisher executives. Dancehall producer/writer Donovan Bennett (center) is pictured…
Scott Matthews Performs at Industry-Only Showcase in London
U.K. folk/rock blues artist Scott Matthews put on a stellar performance at a recent industry-only showcase hosted by BMI at the Gibson Guitar showroom in London. Signed to Universal Music Publishing, Matthews played for special guests that included heads of Universal Publishing UK and Island Records UK, as well as for various press and radio executives. …
Ray Davies To Be Honored as BMI Icon at Annual London Awards Oct. 3
BMI has announced that rock legend Ray Davies (PRS) of the Kinks will be honored as a BMI Icon at the company's annual London Awards, set for Tuesday, Oct. 3 in the Grand Ballroom of London's Dorchester Hotel. The gala ceremony and dinner will also recognize the European songwriters and publishers of the past year's top BMI songs played on American radio and…
BMI London Honors Student Composers
Royal Academy of Music student composers Gareth Coker and Howard Quinn are this year's recipients of the BMI Student Bursary Award, given each year in London to graduating students enrolled in the Academy's Music & Applied Media program. The presentation took place at the BMI Summer Garden event for songwriters and publishers held July 7 in Regent's Park.
Industry Execs Compete for BMI London’s Golf Cup
The BMI London office held its annual Golf Cup at the RAC golf course in Epsom, England. Twenty music executives in all participated in the Stapleford competition, which was held in association with the Prince's Trust. This year's winners included Swan Turton's Julian Turton, Mute Song's Andrew King, Phonetic Music Management's James Sefton and Harbottle & Lewis' Will Meekin
Tuesday Nights Rock with BMI London
BMI, along with Gibson Guitars and Billboard magazine, co-sponsored the "Tuesday Night Music Club" showcase series at the Hard Rock Café in London. This latest installment featured performances by Liset Alea, Ali de Siati, Indi Forde, and headliner Rachael Warwick. Pictured are (l to r): BMI London's…
