News Archive
BMI is saddened by the passing of three Outlaw-Country pioneers, Billy Joe Shaver, Jerry Jeff Walker and Johnny Bush. Shaver was the writer of some of country music’s greatest songs, including “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “Georgia on a Fast Train,” “Old Five and Dimers Like Me,” and “Live Forever.” Along with…
Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster Tapped as Dale Franklin Award Recipients
Leadership Music will present the Dale Franklin Award to BMI Icons Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, as well as BMI legend Fred Foster, during the organization’s annual benefit gala, slated for Sunday, August 29 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. Named for the first executive director of Leadership Music,…
Musicians Hall of Fame Inducts BMI Pioneers
Industry admirers, peers, and contemporary stars gathered to salute the 2009 class of virtuosos inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame on Monday, October 12 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. BMI legends Chet Atkins, Fred Foster, Charlie Daniels, Billy Cox, and band Toto all became members of the…
Todd Snider Delivers ‘The Excitement Plan’
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider is the consummate outsider, a rough cut auteur who, over the course of eleven albums, has distinguished himself as one of American music’s most offbeat, arresting voices. Blunt, bluesy and languid, Snider’s nakedly personal observations mix sardonic ironies with wistful self-analysis but never sacrifice a consistently high…
2009 Inductees Announced for Musicians Hall of Fame
The 2009 inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame include a slew of BMI legends: Chet Atkins, Fred Foster, Charlie Daniels, Billy Cox, and band TOTO will all become members of the prestigious club that already includes Booker T. & The MGs, The Crickets, Duane Eddy, Al Kooper, The Memphis…
John Hiatt to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from AMA
BMI singer/songwriter John Hiatt will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting from the Americana Music Association at the organization’s annual award ceremony September 18 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. As a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting honoree, Hiatt joins an elite list that includes Willie Nelson, Rodney…
BMI Writers Morgan, Shaver and Hart Join Nashville Hall of Fame
Career BMI songwriters Dennis Morgan, Billy Joe Shaver and Freddie Hart are the newest members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Morgan, Shaver and Hart, along with Guy Clark, were inducted November 7 during annual ceremonies hosted by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation at Loews Vanderbilt…
Loretta Lynn Top Winner at Americana Honors & Awards Show
Taking home the Album of the Year and Artist of the Year trophies, longtime BMI affiliate Loretta Lynn was the night's big winner at the 2004 Americana Honors & Awards Show in Nashville. Among other BMI-affiliated winners were newcomer Mindy Smith, named New/Emerging Artist of the Year, and…
Billy Joe Shaver Honored at 65th Birthday Bash
Billy Joe Shaver, on the eve of the release of his new album Billy and the Kid, celebrated his 65th birthday in Austin, Texas with a show billed as the "Billy Joe Shaver Birthday Bash" at the city's Paramount Theater. Friends who paid tribute to Shaver…
Praises for Lauderdale at Americana Awards
Jim Lauderdale claimed two top honors at the inaugural Americana Awards show, held September 13 in Nashville during the Americana Music Association's third annual conference. Lauderdale was named Artist of the Year and also won Song of the Year kudos for…