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… Read more...
BMI was proud to participate, last week, in The Otis Redding Foundation’s philanthropic initiative, The Otis Music Camp, an annual, two-week program in Macon, GA, that hosts high level music forums conducted by key leaders in the music industry. BMI’s David Claassen was on hand not only as a guest… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the news that trumpeter, composer, flugelhorn player, bandleader, singer and political activist Hugh Masekela has passed away at the age of 78. The legendary South African jazz musician recorded more than 40 solo albums in his storied career, while also collaborating with countless diverse musical icons… Read more...
For nearly 13 years, Bonnie Bishop had been waiting for her big break. After graduating from the University of Texas in Austin in 2001, she immediately started making a living as an artist, never even holding a day job. She played regularly in fairs and festivals around Texas, steadily building… Read more...
Broadcast Music, Inc. Director Dave Classeen, along with Michael Dunaway, PASTE Magazine Movies Editor and Sarasota Film Festival Creative Director, participated in a lively panel discussion at the Otis Music Camp, part of the Otis Redding Foundation’s outreach. Held at the scenic Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia, the… Read more...
Broadcast Music, Inc. singer-songwriter Michael Odokara-Okigbo performed at BMI Los Angeles’ latest installment of Hear It Here First on Aug. 13. Michael O to his fans, he was first discovered on NBC’s The Sing Off and was recently cast in the upcoming film, Pitch Perfect 2. During the three-song showcase,… Read more...
Broadcast Music, Inc. songwriter Sam Cooke, who was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987, is again being recognized for his work with the 2013 Songwriters Hall of Fame Towering Song Award for “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The 44th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Thursday,… Read more...
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame joined forces to toast a year’s worth of hit-worthy craftsmanship and several lifetimes’ worth of genre-building during the 40th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 17, at… Read more...
Musical bridge builders Steve Cropper and Paul Davis will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame next month. The two BMI legends will enter the hallowed Hall in separate categories: Cropper in the Songwriter field, Davis under the Songwriter/Artist category. Peers, business allies and family members will toast… Read more...
In its June issue, Rolling Stone magazine offered the latest version of its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” an update of its countdown originally released in 2004. Nuggets crafted by BMI songwriters overwhelmingly dominate the list: Standards from the BMI catalogue make up more than 60% of the classic… Read more...
