News Archive
I was recently asked how the tools and techniques I teach today differ from those I have taught in the past. Have I noticed any recent changes in successful songs and in the processes of writing them? I looked back over the thirty years that I have been teaching songwriting,…
What Makes a Song a Worldwide Phenomenon?
Warning: Listening to the songs referenced in this article is likely to result in an inability to get them out of your brain. It is an incredible accomplishment for a song to reach the top of one of the Billboard charts. Occasionally, songs connect with listeners sufficiently to…
BMI Presents Storme Warren with Ambassador Award
BMI proudly presented a special award last night to veteran broadcaster, Storme Warren, in their Nashville offices. Warren received the BMI Ambassador Award in recognition of his continuous support and promotion of Nashville’s vibrant songwriting community. “We are excited to celebrate a very special and unique 25 year relationship between…
BMI Congratulates its 2020 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Nominees
Dedicated to paying tribute to the composers and lyricists responsible for the world’s most celebrated popular music, The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its laudable roster of songwriting luminaries nominated for induction in 2020, and BMI affiliates once again made a very strong showing. As one of the most prestigious…
10 Ways to Push the Creative Envelope With Your Songs
Sometimes, playing it safe is the most dangerous thing we can do. This is especially applicable when our goal is to write songs that rise above the competition; songs that become artists’ signature songs; and songs that impact audiences and propel artists to a next level. We need to find…
What Makes a Song a Hit?
When I worked in the A & R Department at a major record label, and later, as production coordinator for albums by hit artists, in many cases, my ears were the first barrier that had to be crossed when a song was submitted for those acts. Almost all the songs…
BMI Congratulates its 2019 GRAMMY Nominees
BMI is exceptionally proud to congratulate its many affiliates nominated for awards by the Recording Academy at the 61st GRAMMY Awards, scheduled to be held on February 10, 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Nominations for the music industry’s most prestigious accolades were announced on December 7. In…
BMI Congratulates its 2018 CMA Nominees
BMI is proud to announce that our affiliates have taken the majority of CMA nods again this year, including an incredible nine BMI writers each up for three awards. The ceremony, which will broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 14, at 8PM ET on ABC, will again be co-hosted…
BMI Proudly Congratulates its World of Bluegrass Awards Nominees
Again this year, BMI affiliates dominate the list of nominees for World of Bluegrass Awards. The annual show celebrating the award winners will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here’s the complete list of BMI nominees. Congratulations to all! ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Balsam…
BMI Mourns the Loss of Celebrated BMI Composer Patrick Williams
BMI is saddened by the news that Emmy, GRAMMY and BMI Richard Kirk Award-winner Patrick Williams passed away yesterday at the age of 79. Among the legendary projects on Williams’ unsurpassed resume were scores for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, The Streets of San Francisco, Columbo,…
Vince Gill: Vince Gill Accepts the BMI Icon Award at the 2014 BMI Country Awards
Captured at 2014 BMI Country Awards