What constitutes a hook? Any element of a song that grabs a listener’s attention and “hooks” them in. With there being so much competition for our listeners’ attention, including multiple hooks throughout our songs has become more important than ever. According to an article in The Atlantic magazine, “A short-attention-span… Read more...
Before addressing what might constitute being “too clever” in lyrics, I’ll begin by defining what I mean by “clever” lyrics. For the purposes of this article I’m referring to songs with lyrics that are witty, tongue-in-cheek, humorous, or amusing. These are in contrast to those that fall into the category… Read more...
To grab our listeners’ attention we need to separate our songs from the competition, and one way to accomplish this is by including an unexpected twist—an element of surprise. This article examines various ways to incorporate twists into lyrics and melodies. Story Songs With Surprise Endings “Ol’ Red” (written by… Read more...
BMI is proud to partner with Nashville’s legendary Zanies Comedy Club to present “Off the Record: Songs for Gilda’s Club” on February 16, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. at Zanies. Top hitmakers Bob DiPiero and Bobby Pinson have been invited to share their irreverent and laugh-out-loud tracks, many of which have… Read more...
BMI and the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon will once again join forces to present the Key West Songwriters Festival from May 1-5, 2013. Featuring many of the most beloved songwriters, the event has become an annual pilgrimage south for country and pop music heroes for 18 consecutive years. This year, Gary… Read more...
The Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival has announced red-letter additions to its 2012 lineup, set for May 2-6. The names on the growing bill continue and expand the festival’s tradition of elevating songwriters, from marquee performers to behind-the-scenes hit-makers. Most of the stacked schedule is free, including more… Read more...
Presented by BMI, Perennial Favorite Slated for April 27-May 1 The Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, is exploding, surpassing even the biggest dreams of its founders and longtime supporters. The 2011 lineup is unprecedentedly deeper: genre-hopping singer/songwriters Raul Malo, Marshall Chapman, and Robert Earl Keen;… Read more...
The Country Music Association presented its annual CMA Triple Play Awards on Wednesday, October 14, and the majority of honorees are BMI songwriters. Handed out during the Second Annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon, held at the Pinnacle at Symphony Place in Nashville, the Triple Play Awards celebrate songwriters and artist/songwriters who… Read more...
The Key West Songwriters Festival will make paradise even sweeter during the event’s 15th annual installment Wednesday, April 28 - Sunday, May 2, 2010. Presented by Better Angels Music and benefiting the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation, the festival will feature more than 100 top-tier songwriters performing most-loved hits. Anchor-sponsor… Read more...
The Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival will make paradise even sweeter during the event’s 15th annual installment Wednesday, April 28 - Sunday, May 2, 2010. Benefiting the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation, the festival will feature more than 100 top-tier songwriters performing most-loved hits. Anchor-sponsor BMI will continue… Read more...
Captured at BMI Country Awards 2009
