Wes Hutchinson	David Roland	Michael Flynn

Wes Hutchinson, who is currently working on his record while living in New York City, effortlessly blends influences ranging from early Elton John to Bill Withers, from Crowded House to The Who to Pearl Jam, to create songs that are saturated with melody, intellectually honest lyrics, and music that moves with meaningful undercurrents of rock and pop.

	Listen: "Sheltering Sky" by Wes Hutchinson
	Listen: "Gina" by David Roland
	Listen: "Everything Is Exactly What It Seems" by Michael Flynn

David Roland currently calls Atlanta home, but you can hear the time he spent in New York and Miami in his music, in the anxiety drifting in and around the lyrics. Drawn to songwriting at the age of 14, he currently has a catalog of 127 songs. His latest effort,The Hum of Anxiety, features 12 tracks that echo early Bowie, Nick Cave, Scott Walker and George Harrison.

A South Carolina native, Michael Flynn's influences include Wilco, Eliott Smith, and Tom Waits. His self-released album No Disassemble features emotionally-charged songs of melodic and lyrical pop that go straight to the heart and make it burst with pent-up feelings. Michael was also named the second place winner of the 2001 BMI Foundation-sponsored John Lennon Scholarships.

The Rock Boat Concert Cruise sets sail Columbus Day weekend (October 7 - 11) and will feature BMI artists Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher, Shawn Mullins, Ingram Hill, The Clarks, Dexter Freebish, Will Hoge, David Ryan Harris, Peter Searcy, Chuck Carrier, Evenout and others.]]> 2004-09-22T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234132 Artists, Clarks, The, DeGraw, Gavin, Harris, David Ryan, Hill, Ingram, Ingram Hill, Mullins, Shawn, Searcy, Peter, Sister Hazel, Tolcher, Michael, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock The Rock Boat Washed Ashore Concert Cruise 2004 Song Contest. Sponsored by BMI, The Rock Boat is a four-day rock n' roll sea cruise to Grand Cayman, from October 7 to October 11, 2004. You could win cabin accommodations and airfare for two to Miami, Florida (departure city), as well as an opening acoustic spot on the bill aboard The Rock Boat! (terms and conditions apply - please see official Contest Rules).

Confirmed to set sail Columbus Day weekend are BMI artists Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher, Shawn Mullins, Ingram Hill, The Clarks, Dexter Freebish, Will Hoge, David Ryan Harris, Peter Searcy, Chuck Carrier, Evenout and more!

We are looking for great rock, pop and Americana songs from BMI songwriters who are serious, unsigned performers. Enter your song in The Rock Boat Washed Ashore Concert Cruise 2004 Song Contest for a chance to perform, mix and mingle with musicians, music lovers and music industry executives aboard The Rock Boat. HURRY!! All applications must be postmarked no later than August 23, 2004.

Artists welcome the chance to drift away with 2200 of their most devoted fans, joining them by the pool to enjoy games and music while soaking up the sun's rays or to enjoy the sights and sounds of Grand Cayman. Fans begin each evening with a first-class dinner alongside artists and their families before heading to several intimate concerts.

Unlike passengers on a traditional cruise, guests on The Rock Boat share a common, relatable interest: they are all loyal music lovers. After experiencing The Rock Boat, fans keep in touch long after the ship has docked back in Miami through message boards on The Rock Boat website. Here they reminisce about their past adventures on the cruise, discuss plans for their upcoming journey and even make plans to reunite in the meantime. There have even been engagements and weddings resulting from relationships made aboard The Rock Boat!

This adventure of a lifetime begins when The Rock Boat 2004 departs Miami, Florida, on Thursday, October 7 at 3:30 pm. All day on Friday, October 8, The Rock Boat will navigate the waters to arrive in Grand Cayman on Saturday, October 9. On Sunday, October 10, the high seas will be rockin' again as the ship heads back to Miami dropping anchor on Monday, October 11, 2004.

Click here for the official rules, application, and more info.]]> 2004-07-22T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233801 Artists, Aparo, Angie, Harris, David Ryan, Honestly, Mattox, Bain, Sister Hazel, Musical Styles, Rock BMI-sponsored Rock Boat Song Contest. Joe's prize includes an opening acoustic spot on the bill aboard The Rock Boat Labor Day Concert Cruise 2003, as well as cabin accommodations and airfare for two to Tampa, FL (departure city)! BMI artist/songwriters Honestly and New August were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

The Rock Boat Concert Cruise 2003 is a four-day rock n' roll sea cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, from August 28 to September 1, 2003. Confirmed to set sail are BMI artists Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Dexter Freebish and Angie Aparo, as well as the Pat McGee Band, Tonic, Edwin McCain, The Dave Matthews Cover Band, Chuck Carrier, David Ryan Harris, Chrystina Lloree, Bain Mattox, Courtney Jai, Cary Pierce and Alex Woodard, with more to be added.]]> 2003-08-11T18:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233787 Artists, Aparo, Angie, Harris, David Ryan, Mattox, Bain, Sister Hazel, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock Confirmed to set sail Labor Day weekend are BMI artists Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Dexter Freebish and Angie Aparo, as well as the Pat McGee Band, Tonic, Edwin McCain, The Dave Matthews Cover Band, Chuck Carrier, David Ryan Harris, Chrystina Lloree, Bain Mattox, Courtney Jai, Cary Pierce and Alex Woodard, with more to be added.

Interested? Visit the showcases section to download the contest rules and application

We are looking for great rock, pop and Americana songs from BMI songwriters who are serious, unsigned performers. Enter your song in the Rock Boat Labor Day Concert Cruise 2003 Song Contest for a chance to perform, mix and mingle with musicians, music lovers and music industry executives aboard the Rock Boat. All applications must be postmarked no later than July 25, 2003. Not a performer, but you'd like to go anyway? Go to TheRockBoat.com and make your own reservations for what promises to be a memorable Labor Day experience.

Artists welcome the chance to drift away with 2500 of their most devoted fans, joining them by the pool to enjoy games and music while soaking up the sun's rays or to enjoy the sights and sounds of Cozumel. Fans begin each evening with a first-class dinner alongside artists and their families before heading to several intimate concerts.

Unlike passengers on a traditional cruise, guests on the Rock Boat share a common, relatable interest - they are all loyal music lovers. After experiencing the Rock Boat, fans keep in touch long after the ship has docked back in Tampa through message boards on the Rock Boat web site. Here they reminisce about their past adventures on the cruise, discuss plans for their upcoming journey and even make plans to reunite in the meantime. There have even been engagements and weddings resulting from relationships made aboard the Rock Boat!

This adventure of a lifetime begins when the Rock Boat 2003 departs Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 28 at 4:00 pm. All day on Friday, August 29, the Rock Boat will navigate the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to arrive in Cozumel on Saturday, August 30. On Sunday, August 31, the high seas will be rockin' again as the ship heads back to Tampa dropping anchor on Monday, September 1, 2003.]]> 2003-07-16T18:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233770 Artists, Aparo, Angie, Harris, David Ryan, Mattox, Bain, Sister Hazel, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock

Confirmed to set sail Labor Day weekend are BMI artists Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth, Dexter Freebish and Angie Aparo, as well as the Pat McGee Band, Tonic, Edwin McCain, The Dave Matthews Cover Band, Chuck Carrier, David Ryan Harris, Chrystina Lloree, Bain Mattox, Courtney Jai, Cary Pierce and Alex Woodard, with more to be added.

Interested? Visit the showcases section to download the contest rules and application

We are looking for great rock, pop and Americana songs from BMI songwriters who are serious, unsigned performers. Enter your song in the Rock Boat Labor Day Concert Cruise 2003 Song Contest for a chance to perform, mix and mingle with musicians, music lovers and music industry executives aboard the Rock Boat. HURRY!! All applications must be postmarked no later than July 18, 2003. Not a performer, but you'd like to go anyway? Go to TheRockBoat.com and make your own reservations for what promises to be a memorable Labor Day experience.

Artists welcome the chance to drift away with 2500 of their most devoted fans, joining them by the pool to enjoy games and music while soaking up the sun's rays or to enjoy the sights and sounds of Cozumel. Fans begin each evening with a first-class dinner alongside artists and their families before heading to several intimate concerts.

Unlike passengers on a traditional cruise, guests on the Rock Boat share a common, relatable interest - they are all loyal music lovers. After experiencing the Rock Boat, fans keep in touch long after the ship has docked back in Tampa through message boards on the Rock Boat web site. Here they reminisce about their past adventures on the cruise, discuss plans for their upcoming journey and even make plans to reunite in the meantime. There have even been engagements and weddings resulting from relationships made aboard the Rock Boat!

This adventure of a lifetime begins when the Rock Boat 2003 departs Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, August 28 at 4:00 pm. All day on Friday, August 29, the Rock Boat will navigate the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to arrive in Cozumel on Saturday, August 30. On Sunday, August 31, the high seas will be rockin' again as the ship heads back to Tampa dropping anchor on Monday, September 1, 2003.]]> 2003-06-29T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/532773 Artists, Aparo, Angie, Harris, David Ryan, Mars, Charlie, Tolcher, Michael, Walker, Butch, Awards, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Urban, Regions, Atlanta, Showcase, Showcase Templated On Friday morning, April 4, 2003, twenty notable Georgia BMI affiliates- writers, artists and producers- working primarily in the genres of Urban, Rock and Pop boarded a bus in Atlanta bound for Nashville. Sponsored by Suntrust Bank and aimed at facilitating more integration and collaboration between the two diverse music scenes, the two-day trip was timed to take advantage of Tin Pan South- one of the country's premier songwriter conferences held in Nashville April 3rd- 6th. The trip itinerary included an Atlanta/Nashville Songwriters-In-The-Round at the BMI Theater, studio and Country Music Hall of Fame tours, receptions at major organizations supporting songwriters. Perhaps the highlight of the trip was a filled-to-capacity, Tin Pan South-affiliated acoustic performance at 12th & Porter by BMI artists David Ryan Harris, Angie Aparo, Butch Walker, Michael Tolcher and Charlie Mars.      

Michael Tolcher and Charlie Mars

Catherine Brewton & Justin Sias

Eric Cire

Jay Mathis (left) & Kristi Carter

Kristi Carter & Angelo

Angie Aparo & Jay Mathis

David Ryan Harris & Angie Aparo

Harold Sellers (front left) & Jones

Michael Weeman (left) and Crawford Adam

Algebra

BMI writer and recording artist Julie Dexter, BMI's Catherine Brewton and Brand New Emortals member David Ryan Harris

BMI writers, producers, artists and staff gather around after the showcase

Injected manager Aaron Wachtel, BMI's Michael Weeman, Blue Maze Records' Evan Shapiro, producer Ben Allen, Dark Horse Tavern agent Ken Green

Arista recording artist Butch Walker, BMI party host Drez, Darkchild recording artist Jay Mathis

Miami's DJ Rawku$

BMI's Catherine Brewton (center) with members of the Angenetta Boys and Lil Zane

Rehab member Danny Alexander, BMI's Catherine Brewton, 11th Hour Entertainment's Shannon Houchins and Steve Johnson

Maverick artist Michael Lee, Kirsten Hansen, Brand New Emortals member David Ryan Harris, TBA Management's Simon Horrocks, Greenburg Trauig's Aimee Stern and BMI's Michael Weeman

David Ryan Harris, Darkchild recording artist Jay Mathis, BMI writer Chukky Charles and BMI's Catherine Brewton

Jad member Chris Love and John Stringer, Dark Horse Tavern's Ken Green, and Jad members James Beale and Thomas Panza

Angenetta Boys member Fred Davis, BMI's Catherine Brewton, Angenetta Boys member Lil Scoob, BMI's Michael Weeman and Angenetta Boys member Slim Davis

Angenetta and Lil Zane perform

11th Hour Entertainment's Terrance Wooten, Shannon Honchins and Demun Jones, BMI's Catherine Brewton, 11th Hour Entertainment's Steve Johnson and BMI's Michael Weeman

all photos: Sheila Turner