BMI was saddened to learn of the death of Thom Bell, who passed away Thursday at his home in Bellingham, Washington at the age of 79. An influential figure in contemporary American pop and soul music and one of the preeminent architects of the Philadelphia Sound, Bell was already a… Read more...
BMI was deeply saddened to learn of the death of singer/songwriter and former BMI executive Bobby Weinstein, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 82. A New York City native, Weinstein started off his musical career in the mid-Fifties with his vocal group, The Legends, after winning… Read more...
For most of us, 2020 will rank as one of the most tumultuous years of our lifetime. The restrictions, losses, and fears caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the emotions stirred up in the political and social arenas, touched virtually everyone—and creative people were hit extra hard. Songwriters, musicians,… Read more...
At my BMI Nashville Songwriters’ Workshops, I screen and critique songs from each attendee. When I find songs that I believe are competitive with those being written by today’s top hitmakers, I forward them to ten music publishers who have agreed to listen. After the last BMI Workshop, I forwarded… Read more...
BMI is saddened by the news of the passing of legendary producer and songwriter Scott English. English is responsible for penning BMI Icon Barry Manilow’s #1 hit “Mandy,” the infectious “Bend Me Shape Me” by The American Breed, as well as songs for Donny Osmond, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, Westlife,… Read more...
The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its latest class of inductees for 2018, and BMI is very proud to count six of these remarkably talented songwriters as longtime affiliates. We happily join our friends at the Hall in celebrating their amazing music. Dedicated to honoring the contributions of the composers… 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 senior executives are used to mixing music with politics, demonstrated most recently as champions of the Songwriters Equity Act, and they have again returned to Washington, D.C., this time for the Recording Academy’s 2014 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. The event calls for the music industry to lobby together… Read more...
The 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards are less than two weeks away and the dozens of BMI affiliates nominated are well positioned for a huge evening. Rapidly ascendant newcomers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis snagged an impressive seven nods, including Album of the Year for The Heist, Song of the Year and… Read more...
Robin Gibb, a beloved longtime member of BMI’s songwriting family, died on Sunday, May 20 in London. He was 62. Along with brothers Maurice and Barry, Robin formed the Bee Gees, and although the band became synonymous with the disco movement they led, the Bee Gees achieved pop music perfection… Read more...
Captured at 2009 BMI Urban Awards
