BMI & Los Angeles Times Host Sold-Out ‘How I Wrote That Song’ Panel On February 9

BMI and the Los Angeles Times held their second annual “How I Wrote That Song” songwriter panel in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 9 at the Key Club. The sold-out event featured an elite cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins (Beyonce, Michael Jackson), Chris Daughtry, Fat Joe, Ben Moody of Evanescence (Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson), Polow Da Don (Fergie, Pussycat Dolls), Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes (Hinder, Daughtry).

As part of the panel, Austin Winkler and Cody Hanson of the multi-platinum rock group Hinder joined Howes to perform “Lips Of An Angel,” which they co-wrote; Hamilton performed his “Charlene” and “Can’t Let Go.” The panel was moderated by Los Angeles Times Chief Music Critic Ann Powers and BMI’s Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Catherine Brewton. Panelists discussed their Grammy-nominated works, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners.

Front Row: Chris Daughtry; BMI’s Catherine Brewton; LA Times’ Ann Powers; and Anthony Hamilton. Back row: Cody Hanson of Hinder; Rodney Jerkins; Austin Winkler of Hinder; Polow Da Don; Brian Howes, Ben Moody and Fat Joe.

Back row: Rodney Jerkins; Austin Winkler of Hinder; Polow Da Don; Brian Howes; Fat Joe. Front row: Cody Hanson of Hinder; Anthony Hamilton; Chris Daughtry and Brian Howes.

Polow Da Don and Ben Moody

Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Anthony Hamilton, Fat Joe, LA Times Ann Powers

Anthony Hamilton and Fat Joe

Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Anthony Hamilton and Fat Joe

Brian Howes, Austin Winkler and Cody Hanson

Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry and Anthony Hamilton

BMI’s Catherine Brewton; Fat Joe; BMI’s Phil Graham and Byron Wright

BMI’s Barbara Cane; Rodney Jerkins; BMI’s Catherine Brewton; Ben Moody; and BMI’s Myles Lewis

BMI’s Tracie Verlinde and Myles Lewis; Ben Moody; Chris Daughtry; BMI’s Barbara Cane and Phil Graham

BMI’s Ian Holder and Malik Levy; Anthony Hamilton and BMI’s Byron Wright

BMI’s Byron Wright; Polow Da Don; and BMI’s Ian Holder

Front row: BMI’s Myles Lewis and Barbara Cane; Chris Daughtry; BMI’s Catherine Brewton; the LA Timess’ Ann Powers; Anthony Hamilton; BMI’s Tracie Verlinde and Byron Wright; back row: BMI’s Samantha Cox; Hinder’s Cody Hanson; Rodney Jerkins; Hinder’s Austin Winkler; BMI’s Ian Holder; Polow Da Don; Brian Howes; Ben Moody; Fat Joe; BMI’s Phil Graham and Malik Levy.

Photos: Randall Michaelson