News Archive
This morning, the Library of Congress announced the newest works to be listed in the prestigious National Recording Registry, with several BMI songwriters and composers receiving the honors. The inductions will become part of an elite group of recordings destined for special preservation and scholarship attention due to their “cultural,…
Heavy-Hitting BMI Writers ‘Remember Hank Cochran’ During Frank Brown Int’l Songwriters Festival
On November 14, 2015, where the white sand beaches meet the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar on the state line will be buzzing with festival goers waiting to hear BMI songwriters Jamey Johnson, Dean Dillon and Scotty Emerick during the Frank…
10 Questions With Dean Dillon
Dean Dillon’s life has been the stuff of country songs—hard-living, hard-earned, bootstrapping, boot-wearing. He grew up poor in East Tennessee, and just out of high school in 1973, hitchhiked to Nashville to take his chances as a songwriter. That’s where he met George Strait, presented to Dillon then as a…
Hank Cochran Dies
Iconic songwriter Hank Cochran died Thursday morning at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The writer behind country standards including “Make the World Go Away,” “She’s Got You,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “The Chair,” “Ocean Front Property,” “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me,” “Is It Raining at Your House,”…
Legends Toast Hank Cochran at BMI
Living legends gathered to salute iconic songwriter Hank Cochran Monday, June 15 at BMI’s Music Row offices. Merle Haggard, Bobby Bare, Dean Dillon, Jamey Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, Gene Watson, Red Lane, and Whitey Shafer took turns delivering acoustic versions of Hank Cochran classics, while guests including Elvis Costello, Cowboy…
Scotty Emerick
It’s incredible to think that Scotty Emerick has already been writing hits for nearly half his life — since he’s only 32. But from the time the Vero Beach, Florida native set foot in Nashville at 19, he has consistently been making music that both fans and his fellow artists…
Con Hunley ‘Still’ Singing Strong
BMI Nashville welcomed new affiliate Con Hunley back to Music Row with a reception to mark the release of the single "Still," which Hunley has reinvented from its original recitation by artist/writer Bill Anderson into a country-soul song. "Still" will be included on Sweet Memories, his upcoming…
Hank Cochran Inducted to Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame
Legendary BMI songwriter Hank Cochran was inducted to the Mississippi during ceremonies at the Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson on August 9. Hank joked with the exuberant crowd before serenading them with a medley of some of his best-known compositions: "I Fall To Pieces,"…
Golden Voice Nominees Honor BMI Country Greats
BMI country legends dominated the nominations for the fifth annual Golden Voice Awards, with Bobby Bare, Freddie Hart and Ray Price claiming two mention each (4/11). Presented by the Performers Benefit Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping senior performers with ongoing hospitalization needs, the Golden Voice Awards and Brunch…
Jerry Chesnut
Sony /ATV Music Publishing Nashville held a special ceremony recently to unveil a portrait of legendary songwriter Jerry Chesnut. Painted by Nashville-based artist Anne Collie, the portrait of Chesnut joins those of other Tree Publishing & BMI greats -- including Harlan Howard, Conway Twitty, Hank Cochran, Curly Putman, Bobby Braddock…