During a recent workshop I was asked if I could identify the most important trait or skill for songwriters to possess. Was it an innate talent to craft a fresh, memorable melody? Was it the ability to craft a lyric that touched millions of hearts? Or was it something else? As…
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 ways…
5 Tips for Songwriting Success in Today’s Music Industry
I taught my first songwriting class at Los Angeles’ Pierce College in 1991. Back then, if my car radio were tuned to a pop station, it was likely I would hear chart-topping artists such as Michael Jackson, Wilson Phillips, Janet Jackson, Michael Bolton, Poison, and Roxette. During that same era, if…
The How and Why of Building Bridges in Your Songs
At a songwriting conference I attended, GRAMMY winning singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat shared some comments that her father, record producer and engineer Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys) had made regarding bridges in songs. He had stated that bridges are crucial elements because they are typically the final new…
Like Father, Like Son: A Conversation With Hit Songwriters Steve and Andrew Dorff
When it comes to songwriting, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for Steve and Andrew Dorff
Industry Celebrates BMI President Del Bryant - 2014 Golden Mike Award Recipient
More than 200 television, radio and music industry executives gathered at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Monday, February 24, 2014, to celebrate the illustrious career of Broadcast Music, Inc. President Del Bryant, who was awarded the 2014 Golden Mike Award by the Broadcasters Foundation of America for his…
BMI Joins Forces With Mid-Atlantic Radio Group in Presenting Songwriter Event
BMI and Delmarva Broadcasting joined forces recently (3/8/14) to present the first annual WSTW-FM Songwriters Workshop in Wilmington, DE, that focused on the craft of songwriting and culminated in a singer-songwriter showcase at the World Cafe Live at the Queen. The daylong session and evening showcase were headlined by two decorated BMI…
BMI President Del Bryant to be Honored With 2014 Golden Mike Award
On February 24, 2014, the Broadcasters Foundation of America will present the coveted 2014 Golden Mike Award to Broadcast Music, Inc.’s President Del Bryant at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. An impressive list of broadcasters and entertainers will participate in the Gala, including BMI Icon Kris Kristofferson, who will…
12 Days of BMI Holiday Songs
Here at Broadcast Music, Inc., we love the holiday season, because we have an excuse to play some of our favorite festive tunes by BMI songwriters - from classics like Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” to Mariah Carey’s greatest gift to the world, “All I Want For Christmas Is…
BMI Members Honored at Inaugural Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Gala
The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame Inaugural Induction Gala took place on Tuesday night at the New World Center in Miami Beach during the Billboard Latin Music Conference. The Miami-based, non-profit Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in October 2012 under the auspices of the Songwriters Hall of Fame with…