BMI is saddened by the news that singer-songwriter Jamie O’Hara passed away yesterday. Highly decorated for the GRAMMY-winning megahit “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days),” which was recorded by The Judds in 1986, O’Hara was also the scribe behind Ronnie McDowell’s smashes “Wandering Eyes” and “Older Women.” Early… Read more...
On September 15, master storytellers Ken Burns, Dayton Duncan and Julie Dunfey’s new eight-part documentary, Country Music, will debut on PBS. The much-awaited series chronicles the evolution of country music and explores the question most asked about the genre, especially in today’s world, “What is country music?” The Emmy-winning trio… Read more...
The fiery mandolin of bluegrass icon, Bill Monroe, widely regarded as one of the most deeply influential artists in history, is once again blazing into the spotlight in a new documentary to be brought about by BMI composer John Frizzell and several other equally, and deservedly, spellbound fans of Monroe.… Read more...
BMI proudly showcased a new singer-songwriter duo recently (6/27-28) at the Florida Association of Broadcasters annual conference, which was held at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg. The Sweetheart Deal, comprised of BMI songwriters Emily Kinney and Paul McDonald, performed for a packed house of radio and television executives… Read more...
BMI songwriter and member of the Doobie Brothers John McFee stopped by BMI’s Nashville office to celebrate one million radio spins of his song “Any Way the Wind Blows,” recorded by Southern Pacific. Released on the band’s 1989 album County Line, the song hit number 4 on the Billboard Hot… 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 saddened by the passing of BMI songwriter, and folk music legend Oscar Brand, who passed away Friday at the age of 96. Brand is most famously remembered for his New York public radio show Folk Festival, which set the Guinness World Record in 2006 as the longest-running radio… Read more...
Michaela Anne looks and sounds precisely like a character from “Urban Cowboy”—seemingly having borrowed the tiny frame, unruly curls and body-con western wardrobe of the film’s underdog hero, Sissy. That’s Michaela Anne’s favorite movie—she’s watched it more times than she can count—and she shares with it a heart for the… Read more...
BMI congratulates its affiliates Nile Rodgers, Chip Taylor, Seymour Stein and Nick Jonas, who are being celebrated at this year’s induction ceremony for the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame serves as the bridge between music’s past and present, honoring the contributions… Read more...
2015 proved to be another explosive year for BMI songwriters. In advance of the 58th Annual GRAMMY awards, BMI is very proud to congratulate all of our many affiliates who have earned impressive nominations for their musical contributions across a wide range of genres, including Taylor Swift and Maroon 5… Read more...
