News Archive
“Great means incredibly well crafted, easily memorable, with a universally relatable sentiment and a sense of authenticity—“from the heart” as they say. Iconic means touching a cultural nerve, standing the test of time and instantly recognizable by many people - that holds true even if it’s not widely considered…
BMI Congratulates its Hollywood Music in Media Award Winners and Nominees
BMI proudly congratulates all its Hollywood Music in Media Award winners and nominees. Honoring original music (song and score) in all visual media from around the globe including film, TV, video games, trailers, commercial advertisements, documentaries, and special programs, the HMMA nominations have historically been representative of the nominees of…
BMI Celebrates its 2020 London Awards Winners
BMI today paid tribute to the top UK and European songwriters, composers and music publishers of the most-performed songs of the previous year with the 2020 BMI London Awards. Honourees for Song of the Year, Million-Air Awards, Top 30 Pop Songs and Film, TV & Visual Media were celebrated across…
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 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 Honors R&B Legend Otis Redding at The Otis Music Camp
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…
BMI Mourns the Loss of Jazz Legend Hugh Masekela
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…
The Art of Quitting: Bonnie Bishop’s Story
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…
BMI Supports Otis Redding Foundation’s Otis Music Camp
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…
Michael O Hits All the Right Notes at Hear It Here First Showcase
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,…