News Archive
BMI is thrilled to celebrate the best in songwriting at the 70TH Annual BMI Pop Awards. Legendary music creators Carole Bayer Sager and Mike Stoller will be honored as BMI Icons, celebrating their indelible and timeless contributions to the art of songwriting. BMI’s Pop Song of the Year, Songwriter of…
BMI Mourns the Loss of Legendary Songwriter John Prine
BMI is deeply saddened by the passing of legendary singer/songwriter John Prine, yesterday in Nashville, due to complications from COVID-19. Though primarily considered to have strong folk and Americana roots, Prine’s vivid storytelling was revered by songwriters, artists and listeners in all genres, with songs like “Sam Stone, “Speed of…
What Makes a Song a Worldwide Phenomenon?
Warning: Listening to the songs referenced in this article is likely to result in an inability to get them out of your brain. It is an incredible accomplishment for a song to reach the top of one of the Billboard charts. Occasionally, songs connect with listeners sufficiently to…
10 Ways to Push the Creative Envelope With Your Songs
Sometimes, playing it safe is the most dangerous thing we can do. This is especially applicable when our goal is to write songs that rise above the competition; songs that become artists’ signature songs; and songs that impact audiences and propel artists to a next level. We need to find…
What Makes a Song a Hit?
When I worked in the A & R Department at a major record label, and later, as production coordinator for albums by hit artists, in many cases, my ears were the first barrier that had to be crossed when a song was submitted for those acts. Almost all the songs…
A Match Made in Heaven: Meet Michael and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty
If you’ve seen Michael and Tanya Trotter — better known as The War and Treaty —live in concert, you’ve witnessed the magical chemistry of this rising duo. The Trotters have found a welcoming home in the Americana community, known for embracing multiple musical genres and for having a particular fondness…
BMI to Honor John Prine With Troubadour Award
BMI is pleased to announce that revered singer-songwriter John Prine will be honored with the Troubadour Award at a private dinner held at BMI’s Nashville office on Monday, September 10. The Troubadour Award celebrates songwriters who have made a lasting impact on the songwriting community. The award, given only once…
BMI Mourns the Loss of Celebrated BMI Composer Patrick Williams
BMI is saddened by the news that Emmy, GRAMMY and BMI Richard Kirk Award-winner Patrick Williams passed away yesterday at the age of 79. Among the legendary projects on Williams’ unsurpassed resume were scores for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, The Streets of San Francisco, Columbo,…
BMI Congratulates its 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductees
The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its latest class of inductees for 2018, and BMI is very proud to count six of these remarkably talented songwriters as longtime affiliates. We happily join our friends at the Hall in celebrating their amazing music. Dedicated to honoring the contributions of the composers…
BMI Congratulates its 2018 GRAMMY Nominees
BMI is very proud to congratulate our many talented affiliates on their prestigious GRAMMY nominations, which were announced this morning by the Recording Academy. The 60th GRAMMY Awards, to be held in Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, January 28, 2018, will salute a wide array of…