Recent News
In a decision that ends decades of below-market rates for songwriters, composers and publishers in the live concert industry, the Honorable Louis L. Stanton of the Southern District of New York today issued a decision in favor of BMI in its rate court dispute with Live Nation, AEG and the…
BMI Presents at the Bluebird Café Features Singer/Songwriters from Major Bob Publishing
On Tuesday night, BMI at the Bluebird Café highlighted songwriters from independent Nashville-based Major Bob Publishing, including Josh Grider, Gunnar Latham, and Zach Top, who each gave their own acoustic salutes to country music. New Mexico native Josh Grider played songs that he wrote…
BMI Presents “New Faces of Nashville” 2023 Kickoff Show at the Bluebird Cafe
BMI kicked off its 2023 Bluebird Cafe showcase series Tuesday night, with a “New Faces of Nashville” themed set of performances. The legendary stage hosted Nashville newcomers Tony Evans Jr., Harper Grae, and Lindsey Hinkle. Lindsey Hinkle started out the evening performing in her Bluebird Cafe debut. The self-taught musician…
Are Your Songs Hitting the Right Target?
When I critique songs at my workshops, I always begin by asking the writers to share their intention for their song. For example, a song might be intended solely for self-expression or catharsis. Another song might be written by a performing songwriter to include on their own recording project, while…
Jelly Roll Celebrates First Country Radio #1
On Wednesday night, friends, family, and the Nashville music community celebrated the success of “Son of a Sinner,” the first number one hit from Nashville native, Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord). The event, hosted by BMI at our Music Row offices, honored Jelly Roll and his co-writers, Ernest K. Smith and…
BMI Presents at the Bluebird Cafe Wraps 2022 Season with War and Treaty
BMI wrapped up its 2022 season BMI Presents at the Bluebird Cafe shows with the iconic husband and wife duo, War and Treaty. The pair, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, have been musical partners for several years, writing about and honoring our soldiers and their dedication to protect our…
Enjoy a Double Issue of Music World!
In this issue: Jason Blume Shares How to Stretch Yourself Melodically Dave Simons Explains the Benefits of Using a Condenser Mic BMI Honors Toby Keith at the 2022 BMI Country Awards BMI Presents “El Camp: Los Compositoras Edition” with Amazon and Erika…
A Mic for All Sessions
Like most of my engineering peers, early on I endeavored to fill my home studio with as many different types of microphones as my budget would allow, from lovely old Sennheisers to the more workmanlike family of Shure dynamics. Eventually my insatiable appetite for guitars meant selling off many of…
How to Stretch Yourself Melodically
When I critique songs in my BMI Songwriting Workshops, I often hear melodies with a range (the interval between its lowest and the highest notes) limited to one octave or less. When I ask the writers to share their intentions for these songs, they sometimes respond, “My goal is to…
BMI Remembers Pioneering Rock N’ Roll Legend Jerry Lee Lewis
BMI was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of the incomparable Jerry Lee Lewis, who died Friday at the age of 87 in his home in Desoto County, Mississippi. Nicknamed “The Killer,” Lewis was a genuine rock n’ roll pioneer who established himself very early on in his career,…