News Archive
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,…
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…
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…
Noel Gallagher and World’s Top Songwriters Honored at 2019 BMI London Awards
Tonight, BMI honored Noel Gallagher with the BMI President’s Award at the 2019 BMI London Awards. Guests included Raye, who also performed her brand new track, “Love Me Again,” and who was recognized with the BMI Impact Award (a brand new award for 2019). Anne-Marie and Niall Horan also attended…
Tips for Writing Songs About Anything…But Love
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…
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,…
How to Use the “List Technique” in Your Song
What do the songs in the list below have in common? “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (traditional) “Achy Breaky Heart” (recorded by Billy Ray Cyrus, written by Don Von Tress) Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith” (written by Sting) Carrie Underwood’s “
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…
Harry Gregson-Williams and Other Top Songwriters Honored At 2018 BMI London Awards
Tonight, BMI proudly honored acclaimed film composer Harry Gregson-Williams with the BMI Icon Award at the 2018 BMI London Awards. Guests including Liam Payne, James Arthur, Natasha Bedingfield, Tinie Tempah and Trevor Rabin attended the awards at London’s Dorchester Hotel for an evening of celebration for UK and European songwriters,…
BMI to Honor Film Composer Harry Gregson-Williams as a BMI Icon at The 2018 BMI London Awards
BMI is proud to announce that esteemed composer Harry Gregson-Williams will be named a BMI Icon at this year’s BMI London Awards. Gregson-Williams is receiving the honor in recognition of his unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers. The private event will be held at the Dorchester Hotel…