BMI Salutes Rock ‘N Roll Past and Present at 50th Annual Pop Awards
BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most performed songs during the 50th Annual BMI Pop Awards tonight, with superlatives reserved for Rob Thomas’s song “If You’re Gone,” songwriter Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down and Universal Music Publishing. Frances W. Preston, President & CEO, and Barbara Cane, Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, handed out BMI Citations of Achievement to more than 150 writers and publishers during the dinner event, which culminated in the announcements of Song, Songwriter, Publisher and College Song of the Year. A highlight of the golden-anniversary gala, staged at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, was the presentation of the first BMI ICON Awards to Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard in recognition of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”
 Little Richard; Frances W. Preston, BMI President & CEO; Chuck Berry; and Bo Diddley |
“If You’re Gone” earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year crystal for songwriter Rob Thomas of matchbox twenty and publishers Bidnis, Inc. and EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. This distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. A #1 single from matchbox twenty’s Lava/Atlantic album Mad Season, “If You’re Gone” brings Thomas’s BMI Awards total to 11. With this win, Thomas, who was named 1999 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, joins an illustrious list of those who have taken both Song and Songwriter trophies, including Stephen Bishop, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Barry and Robin Gibb, Will Jennings, Bert Kaempfert (GEMA), Dolly Parton, Carole Bayer Sager and Shania Twain.
 Rob Thomas |  Brad Arnold |
Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down placed four songs on the Most Performed List of 50 to collect the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year reward. From the band’s debut album The Better Life on Republic/Universal Records, the songs earning Arnold the crown were “Be Like That,” “Duck and Run,” “Kryptonite” (2nd award) and “Loser.”
 BMI's Barbara Cane, Universal Music Publishing's David Renzer, BMI's Frances W. Preston, Songwriter of the Year Brad Arnold, BMI's Del Bryant and Universal Music Publishing's Tom Sturges |
With 11 songs cited - including Arnold’s four - Universal Music Publishing (through its companies Irving Music, Songs of Universal, Inc., and Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.) claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize; David Renzer, President, Worldwide Universal Music Group, accepted the crystal obelisk. The Publisher of the Year title is given to the publishing concern with the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. Universal’s other top performing tunes were “All Or Nothing,” “Breathe,” “Breathless,” “Change Your Mind,” “Hemorrhage (In My Hands),” “Play” and “Ride Wit Me.”
 Johnny Lang performing during the Chuck Berry tribute |  3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold shows off his Songwriter of the Year crystal |
Of the 86 songwriters recognized, ten, in addition to Arnold, were multiple winners. Placing three songs each on the list were 3 Doors Down members Todd Harrell and Matt Roberts and previous songwriter victors Janet Jackson (1990) and Cory Rooney (2000); double honorees were Mirwais Ahmadzai, 3 Doors Down’s Chris Henderson, and Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith.
 Little Richard and Ivan Neville (Neville performed the Little Richard tribute) |
Publishers gathering three or more awards were Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Escatawpa Songs, Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Black Ice Publishing, Cori Tiffani Publishing and Ensign Music Corporation.
 Mavis Staples |
“Hanging By A Moment” grabbed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriter Jason Wade of Lifehouse. The song, from Lifehouse’s debut DreamWorks album No Name Face, is published by G-Chills Music and Songs of DreamWorks.
Among this year’s honorees, 15 songs have earned the status of BMI Million-Air (accumulating at least one million broadcast performances) for a total of more than 22 million performances. Based on an average length of three minutes, one million airplays is the equivalent of 50,000 hours or 5.7 years, continuously. Million-Airs on the 2001 list translate into over 1.1 million hours or 125.4 years of airplay.
 BMI's Tracie Verlinde (2nd left) and Myles Lewis (right) with members of Lifehouse |
Five of the 50 top Pop are repeat achievers. “Amazed” collected its third consecutive Pop Award; the 2000 BMI Country Song of the Year has accrued nearly four million performances. Four songs picked up second Awards: last year’s honorees “Kryptonite,” “With Arms Wide Open” and “Breathe” (also Pop Song of the Year), and “Lady Marmalade,” first recognized in 1975.
BMI’s Citation of Achievement is given annually in recognition of popularity in the field of popular music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television. This year’s Pop Awards' eligibility period ran October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001.
High-resolution photos are available for downloading on the BMI Media Relations web site at press.bmi.com.
 Tatiana Litvin, BMI songwriter Tre Hardson, BMI songwriter Dallas Austin, BMI's Catherine Brewton, Jody Gerson and actor Orlando Jones |
 members of CrazyTown |
Below is the complete list of 2002 BMI Pop Music Awards winners:
ALL FOR YOU
Janet Jackson
Black Ice Publishing
Janet Jackson
Virgin Records
ALL OR NOTHING
Wayne Hector (PRS)
Steve Mac (PRS)
Irving Music
Songs of Windswept Pacific
O-Town
J Records
AMAZED (3rd Award)
Marv Green
Chris Lindsey
Aimee Mayo
Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc.
Golden Wheat Music
Silverkiss Music
Songs of Nashville DreamWorks
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Lonestar
BNA Records
ANGEL
Ahmet Ertegun
Chip Taylor
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Shaggy featuring Rayvon
MCA Records
BE LIKE THAT
Brad Arnold
Chris Henderson
Escatawpa Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
3 Doors Down
Republic/Universal Records
BIG PIMPIN'
Jay-Z
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Lil Lu Lu Publishing
Jay-Z featuring U.G.K.
Def Jam Records
BREAKDOWN
Hugo Ferreira
Cherryworks Music
Eight Inches Plus Publishing Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Tantric
Maverick Records
BREATHE (2nd Award)
Stephanie Bentley
Hopechest Music
Universal-Songs of PolyGram
International, Inc.
Faith Hill
Warner Bros. Records
BREATHLESS
Andrea Corr (IMRO)
Caroline Corr (IMRO)
James Corr (IMRO)
Sharon Corr (IMRO)
Beacon Communications Music Company
Universal-Songs of PolyGram
International, Inc.
The Corrs
143/Lava/Atlantic Records
BUTTERFLY
Flea
John Frusciante
Anthony Kiedis
Chad Smith
Moebetoblame Music
Crazy Town
Columbia Records
CALIFORNICATION
Flea
John Frusciante
Anthony Kiedis
Chad Smith
Moebetoblame Music
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Warner Bros. Records
CHANGE YOUR MIND
Jeff Beres
Ken Block
Andrew Copeland
Ryan Newell
Mark Trojanowski
Crooked Chimney Music, Inc.
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sister Hazel
Universal Records
COME ON OVER BABY (ALL I WANT IS YOU)
ChakDaddy
Eric Dawkins
Shelly Peiken
Celebrity Status Entertainment
E.D. Duz-It Music
peermusic
Shellayla Songs
Christina Aguilera
RCA Records
CRAZY FOR THIS GIRL
Jeff Cohen
Jaron Lowenstein
As You Wish Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Tzitzis What We Do Music
Evan and Jaron
Columbia Records
DOESN'T REALLY MATTER
Janet Jackson
Black Ice Publishing
Janet Jackson
Def Soul Records
DON'T TELL ME
Mirwais Ahmadzai
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Madonna
Maverick Records
DROPS OF JUPITER (TELL ME)
Scott Underwood
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Wunderwood Music
Train
Aware/Columbia Records
DUCK AND RUN
Brad Arnold
Todd Harrell
Chris Henderson
Matt Roberts
Escatawpa Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
3 Doors Down
Republic/Universal Records
FOLLOW ME
Uncle Kracker
Gaje Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Uncle Kracker
Top Dog/Lava/Atlantic Records
GOTTA TELL YOU
Samantha Mumba (IMRO)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Samatha Mumba
Wildcard/Polydor/Interscope Records
HANGING BY A MOMENT
Jason Wade
G-Chills Music
Songs of DreamWorks
Lifehouse
DreamWorks Records
HE LOVES U NOT
Pamela Sheyne (PRS)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Dream
Arista/Bad Boy Records
HEMORRHAGE (IN MY HANDS)
Carl Bell
Pener Pig Publishing
Universal-Songs of PolyGram
International, Inc.
Fuel
550 Music Records
HERE'S TO THE NIGHT
Max Collins
Tony Fagenson
Jon Siebels
Fake and Jaded Music
Less Than Zero Music
Southfield Road Music
Eve 6
RCA Records
HIT 'EM UP STYLE (OOPS!)
Dallas Austin
Cyptron Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Blu Cantrell
Arista Records
I HOPE YOU DANCE
Tia Sillers
Choice Is Tragic Music
Ensign Music Corporation
Lee Ann Womack with Sons of the Desert
MCA Records
I THINK I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU
Cory Rooney
Dan Shea
Cori Tiffani Publishing
Dan Shea Music, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Jessica Simpson
Columbia Records
IF YOU'RE GONE
Rob Thomas
Bidnis, Inc.
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
matchbox twenty
Lava/Atlantic Records
INDEPENDENT WOMEN PART 1
Poke
Cory Rooney
Colpix Music, Inc.
Cori Tiffani Publishing
Ekop Publishing LLC
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Destiny's Child
Columbia Records
JADED
Marti Frederiksen
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Pearl White Music
Aerosmith
Columbia Records
KRYPTONITE (2nd Award)
Brad Arnold
Todd Harrell
Matt Roberts
Escatawpa Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
3 Doors Down Republic/Universal Records
LADY MARMALADE (2nd Award)
Bob Crewe
Stone Diamond Music Corporation
Tannyboy Music
Christina Aguilera with Lil' Kim,
Mya and Pink
Interscope Records
LOSER
Brad Arnold
Todd Harrell
Matt Roberts
Escatawpa Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
3 Doors Down
Republic/Universal Records
LOVE DON'T COST A THING
Amille Danielle Harris
Greg Lawson
Connotation Music
Reach Global Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Jennifer Lopez
Epic Records
MOST GIRLS
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
ECAF Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Pink
LaFace/Arista Records
MUSIC
Mirwais Ahmadzai
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Madonna
Maverick/Warner Bros. Records
NO MORE (BABY I'MA DO RIGHT)
CAM'RON
Killa Cam Music
Un Rivera Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
3LW
Epic Records
ONE MORE DAY
Bobby Tomberlin
Mike Curb Music
Diamond Rio
Arista Nashville Records
ONE STEP CLOSER
Rob Bourdon
Brad Delson
Joseph Hahn
Mike Shinoda
Big Bad Mr. Hahn Music
Kenji Kobayashi Music
Nondisclosure Agreement Music
Rob Bourdon Music
Zomba Songs Inc.
Linkin Park
Warner Bros. Records
PLAY
Christina Milian
Cory Rooney
Cori Tiffani Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Jennifer Lopez
Epic Records
PUT IT ON ME
Ja Rule
Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo
D J Irv Publishing
Ensign Music Corporation
Slavery Music
White Rhino Music, Inc.
Ja Rule featuring Lil' Mo & Vita
Murder Inc./Def Jam Records
THE REAL SLIM SHADY
Tommy Coster
Eminem
Eight Mile Style Music
Ensign Music Corporation
Strawberry Blonde Music
Eminem
Aftermath/Interscope Records
RIDE WIT ME
City Spud
Dynacom Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Nelly featuring City Spud
Fo Reel/Universal Records
SHE BANGS
Robi "Draco" Rosa
A Phantom Vox Corp.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Ricky Martin
Columbia Records
SOMEONE TO CALL MY LOVER
Janet Jackson
Black Ice Publishing
Janet Jackson
Virgin Records
SOUTH SIDE
Moby
The Little Idiot
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Moby featuring Gwen Stefani
V2 Records
STUTTER
Steve Boone
Roy L. Hamilton III
Tre'Vant J. Hardson
J-Sw!ft
Romye Robinson
John Sebastian
Mark Sebastian
Derrick "Fatlip" Stewart
Emandu Imani Rashaan Wilcox
Alley Music Corp.
Beetjunkye Music
Crack Addict Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Mark Sebastian Music
Trio Music Co., Inc.
Zomba Songs Inc.
Joe featuring Mystikal
Jive Records
THANK YOU
Paul Herman (PRS)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Dido
Arista Records
WHEN IT'S OVER
Craig "DJ Homicide" Bullock
Stan Frazier
David Kahne
Murphy Karges
Mark McGrath
Rodney Sheppard
E Equals Music
Grave Lack of Talent Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Sugar Ray
Lava/Atlantic Records
WITH ARMS WIDE OPEN (2nd Award)
Scott Stapp
Mark Tremonti
Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
Tremonti Stapp Music
Creed
Wind-Up Records
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