November 2, 2005

BMI’s ‘See It Hear First’ Podcast #6 Showcases Cross-Section Of Songwriter Talent From Tennessee

Press Release

NEW YORK, November 2, 2005 – The sixth release in BMI’s successful podcast music series, “See It Hear First,” is heading to Nashville this month to showcase a broad spectrum of songwriting talent from Tennessee. Chosen by executives in BMI’s Music Row office, featured artists include Knoxville rockers Dixie Dirt, and Nashville-based singer/songwriters Peter Dawson, Joanna Smith and Jeff Hyde.
The BMI “See It Hear First” podcast has become an important tool for exposing new songwriters and artists to key decision makers. To date, over 500,000 listeners have tuned in to BMI’s multi-genre podcast series, and more than 5,000 music industry professionals have received the program globally.
The sole rock group in this collection, Dixie Dirt is not what most people would expect from a Tennessee quartet. Based in Knoxville, Dixie Dirt has made a name for themselves as one of the top original rock bands in the region. Podcast #6 features an exclusive interview with the band and a performance of their song, “Badlights.”
Originally from Dallas, singer/songwriter Peter Dawson migrated to Nashville to attend Belmont University in the shadow of Music Row and the country music industry. His credentials include more than three years touring throughout Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas, where he recorded his last album in an Austin studio. His rich baritone voice is showcased on “Take Me Home.”
Country artist Joanna Smith started dreaming of being an entertainer before she was old enough to attend school in her tiny hometown of Arlington, Georgia. Nicknamed “Peach,” she eventually honed her stage skills traveling the state as Miss Teen Georgia America. At the age of 19, she arrived in Nashville determined to learn the business of music. Her BMI podcast song is entitled “South Georgia Lovin’.”

The fourth song in the BMI podcast is provided by country singer/songwriter Jeff Hyde, who grew up in Marshall, Texas. With his college degree in hand, he moved to Nashville to join the music business, working at BMI before being lured away to become a staff writer for a music publisher. Hyde contributes “Broken Down” to podcast #6.
All editions of the BMI “See It Hear First” podcast series are available at bmi.com/podcast. You can also download them from iTunes at bmi.com/podcast/itunes as well as from Yahoo’s new podcast directory at podcasts.yahoo.com.
Listeners who visit the BMI web site can vote for their favorite podcast artist to help them win a CD duplication package from Disc Makers. Disc Makers is the leading CD manufacturer for the independent musician and offers special packages exclusively for BMI affiliates.
Now marking its 65th year in business, BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. With a repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the world, the non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.
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Contacts at BMI:
Hanna Pantle Jerry Bailey
310-289-6328                         615-401-2825
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