In 1986, BMI found a kindred spirit in a baby music festival with big ideas. 26 years later, the SXSW Music and Media Conference sets the industry standard, and anchor sponsor BMI is still one of the festival's most dedicated supporters. BMI is hosting key events throughout SXSW 2012, from educational panels -- including a conversation with Mark Mothersbaugh March 13 and a discussion featuring John Doe, Todd Snider and Jesse Maylin on March 15 -- to indie showcases, industry mixers, the Friday-night Auditorium Shores concert headlined by Counting Crows and more. Check bmi.com/sxsw for the full schedule, and follow @BMI on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.
BMI honored John Fogerty as a BMI Icon at its 58th annual Pop Awards, on Tuesday, May 18 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Barbara Cane, BMI Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, the invitation-only event also honored the songwriters and publishers of the past years most-performed pop songs in the United States.
BMI saluted the songwriters and publishers behind country music's most-performed songs of the past year tonight during the 58th annual BMI Country Awards. At 20 years old, Taylor Swift became the youngest person ever to win the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year crown. "You Belong With Me" also earned Swift her third consecutive BMI Country Song of the Year win, making her the only songwriter ever to win the award three years in a row. Co-written with frequent collaborator Liz Rose, the song is published by Sony/ATV Tree, Taylor Swift Music, Orbison Music LLC, and Wagnerville Music. Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville earned its ninth consecutive BMI Country Publisher of the Year title, while Billy Sherrill, the father of the contemporary country sound, was named a BMI Icon.
The ceremony was held in BMI's Music Row offices. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant hosted the gala with Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville.
BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 500,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music.