News Archive
BMI was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, whose death at the age of 81 was announced on Tuesday morning. A Detroit native and one third of the trailblazing production trio Holland-Dozier-Holland, Lamont Dozier helped define the sound of the 1960s with a…
Songwriting Legends Carole Bayer Sager and Mike Stoller To Be Honored as BMI Icons at 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards
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 Gaynel Hodge
BMI is saddened to learn that longtime affiliate Gaynel Hodge passed away in Amsterdam on June 2 at the age of 83. An accomplished singer, songwriter, pianist and musical director, Hodge is invariably most renowned for co-writing the multi-platinum hit and doo-wop classic “Earth Angel,” released by The Penguins in…
Zigzagging Through Genres, BMI Composer Aaron Zigman’s Music Transcends Boundaries
As a classically trained pianist, conductor and composer, Aaron Zigman brings to his work a degree of versatility that’s rarely seen. His deep classical roots, combined with his background in writing and producing songs for many of music’s greatest performers, has given him the ability to traverse all genres of…
Tips for Writing Songs About Anything…But Love
At my BMI Nashville Songwriters’ Workshops, I screen and critique songs from each attendee. When I find songs that I believe are competitive with those being written by today’s top hitmakers, I forward them to ten music publishers who have agreed to listen. After the last BMI Workshop, I forwarded…
Breakthrough Hits and Signature Songs: What Can They Teach Us?
Although it was more than sixteen years ago, I still recall chatting with a twenty-something guy who stood in front of me in line as we waited to attend the taping of the David Letterman Show. The guy was excited because his brother Adam would be performing on the show,…
BMI Rocks Las Vegas at 8th Annual ‘Los Producers’ Charity Event
Last night, BMI and Rebeleon Entertainment presented the highly anticipated 8th annual Los Producers at the Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The exclusive, invite-only live music event, hosted by Pili Montilla, featured performances by some of this year’s Latin GRAMMY Award nominees and…
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 Mourns the Loss of Soul Legend Aretha Franklin
BMI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of trailblazing music legend, Aretha Franklin, who passed away today at the age of 76. A BMI affiliate for five decades, Franklin was hailed as the Queen of Soul, in the 1960s, for her unquantifiable contributions to the canon of contemporary…
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…