News Archive
The Library of Congress has announced this year’s selection of sound recordings to be preserved in the National Recording Registry. The list, which consists of 25 recordings, featured a wide variety of outstanding spoken and musical recordings that span the years 1925 through 1983. This year’s selections include such renowned…
Suzan-Lori Parks and Paul Oscher
The Odd Couple? Her mentor was James Baldwin; he learned the fine points of guitar playing looking over Muddy Waters's shoulder. As a teen in the '80s, she gave up guitar playing soon after she started because it was such a white-guy thing; he encouraged her to go back to…
Holmes Brothers Lead Blues Artists in Handy Nominations
Blues trio the Holmes Brothers lead the list of BMI artists and composers nominated for the 26th Annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards with six, it was announced by the Memphis, Tennessee-based Blues Foundation. Co-sponsored by BMI, a long-time supporter of the non-profit organization,…
Hot Time At The Handys
The Handy Awards has grown to a three day celebration of blues excellence past and present, attended buy hundreds of aficionados and music business people. BMI's Dr. Sanjek, a member of the Blues Foundation Board of Directors, gives his eyewitness account of this year's festivities. Headin'…
At BMI, Black Music Month Is Celebrated All Year Long
At BMI, Black Music Month Is Celebrated All Year Long By Rob Patterson From the dawning days of rhythm & blues through today's multifaceted urban music scene, BMI has been at the forefront of music from the African American tradition,…
B.B. King Turns the Blues into Platinum
With a career spanning over 50 years, B.B. King has quietly transformed himself into America's leading blues ambassador. But thanks to a curious twist of fate, the pioneering singer, songwriter and guitarist has found himself competing against a formidable contender - himself. The drama unfolded last spring…