Rob. A is part of the Los Angeles songwriting and production collective Graffiti, a creative hive similar to Atlanta’s hit-making team The Clutch. A growing force in the contemporary music world, Rob. A has co-penned recent smashes including Rihanna's dance-pop hit "Disturbia" and Chris Brown's "Forever" - both Top 10 on the Billboard Pop charts. Together, Graffiti are currently working on songs for the Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears, Mario, Chris Brown, Brandy and others.

Shown are (l-r): BMI’s Malik Levy and Nicole Plantin, Rob. A, BMI’s Barbara Cane and Sony/ATV’s Vice President, Urban A&R Juan Madrid.

BMI will pair with the Los Angeles Times to present the second annual “How I Wrote the Song” panel Saturday, February 9, from 1p.m. until 3p.m., at the Key Club in L.A. Mirroring the format of 2007’s sold-out forum, another elite cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody of Evanescence, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes will discuss their work, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners. Moderated by BMI’s Vice President, Writer Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and Los Angeles Times Music Critic Ann Powers, the event is open to the public. Advance tickets are available now for $10 through Ticketmaster at www.keyclub.com or the Key Club box office; day-of admission at the door will be $20.

Grammy Award-winner Rodney Jerkins’s creative dexterity materializes in distinct but diverse musical triumphs. The pen behind take-charge smashes including Destiny Child’s “Say My Name,” Brandy & Monica’s duet “The Boy is Mine” and Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu,” Jerkins has also produced work by contemporary superstars including Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child. His unerring ear led to a vice president of a&r position with Island Def Jam, while Janet Jackson’s forthcoming project Discipline features his signature production.

American Idol alum Chris Daughtry has brazenly staked a record-breaking place in contemporary music, confidently fronting the aptly titled rock band Daughtry. The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter signed with RCA and management powerhouse 19 Entertainment after his fan-propelled success on American Idol, and his band’s eponymous debut sold more than 1 million copies in only five weeks. The projectile success of the album, featuring songs “It’s Not Over,” “Home” and “Over You,” resulted in the fastest-selling debut in the history of SoundScan.

Rapper, actor, musician and activist, Mos Def’s sheer versatility places him amongst contemporary pop culture’s premier creators. Musically, his work includes blithe collaborations with legendary group De La Soul and artist Talib Kweli. Def’s partnership with Kweli, the duet album Black Star, resulted in underground frenzy and glowing critical praise. His subsequent solo album, Black on Both Sides, produced more of the same. Nominated for two Grammys, Def also boasts Golden Globe, Emmy and Source award nods.

Serial hitmaker Ben Moody first gained recognition as guitarist and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning group Evanescence. His output during and after the band has further exposed an adroit singer/songwriter capable of powerful hooks and lush layers; songs including Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal,” along with Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” sprang from Moody’s id. Collaborations as a producer with Clarkson, Celine Dion, Bo Bice and Lindsey Lohan further emphasize his seemingly limitless versatility.

Super producer and innovative songwriter Polow Da Don’s quintessential hip factor springs from authentic skill. His innate musical savvy has finessed infectious hits including Fergie’s “Glamorous,” the Pussy Cat Dolls’ “Buttons,” Ciara’s “Promise” and Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love Song.” Fergie’s enthusiastic shout out, “Polow!” on her smash “London Bridge,” made Da Don’s fluid alias a pop culture catch phrase, adding household recognition to the power player’s growing reputation.

Singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton’s blend of old-school soul and cool contemporary grit is artist’s art in the best sense of the phrase: Members of the neo-soul and poetic hip hop elite including D’Angelo, Tupac Shakur and Eve have looked to Hamilton for backup harmonies, while the North Carolina native’s critically-acclaimed solo work has landed on arguably avant-garde projects including the American Gangster film soundtrack. His 2007 effort, Southern Comfort, features eleven new songs all written by Hamilton.

Brian Howes' life in music did not come as a surprise with a great-great grandfather who was a baritone opera singer, a grandmother who was a songwriter, and a grandfather who played alto sax for swing band greats Benny Goodman and Louis Prima, his career choice was practically predetermined. As part of punk-ska-rap band DDT early on in his career, Brian toured with bands such as Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, The Scorpion and DOA. Post DDT, he penned hits and earned placements in several movies all while maintaining number 1 and top 10 international hits. Brian then added production to is arsenal and has had success by writing and producing with Grammy-nominated Atlantic band Skillet amongst others. Brian’s recent success has included collaborations with Kara Dioguardi, Shelly Piken, Chad Kroeger, Hinder and Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame for his RCA Records Album.

The “early-bird” $100 registration fee has been extended until the end of May. For more information, including a list of the songwriters and top industry representatives expected to attend and to register for the Festival, visit kauaimusicfestival.com. Unlike many other expos and conferences, registration to the Kauai Music Festival is limited to allow our small group of registrants more personal attention.  As a result, it will fill up quickly... so early registration is strongly suggested to guarantee participation.

The staff of songwriters and executives participating are among the best in the business, including multi-platinum writers who have penned hits for Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Hinder, Avril Lavigne, Daughtry, Faith Hill, Brandy, Meredith Brooks, N'Sync, Joss Stone, and Jojo, plus executives from Interscope, A&M, Atlantic Records, peermusic, BMI and more. BMI is proud to support the festival, which will feature Jason Blume, Charles Brotman, Barbara Cane, John Cruz, Beau Dozier, Adam Gorgoni, Brian Howes, Tony Kilbert, Michael Laskow, Myles Lewis, Steven Melrose, William G. Meyer III, Mollie Moore, David Pack, Shelly Peiken, Jeff Peterson, Jeffrey Steele, David Tickle, Harry Witz and more.

For those with rock star dreams, "The Star In You: Seven Keys to Creating a Star Mindset, Building a Star Image and Living a Star's Life" will present concepts that every songwriter and artist must know in order to make their strongest impression and increase their chances for success. Topics to be discussed include:

*How to build up your natural star qualities
*How to have rock star motivation every day
*How to make your strongest impression
*How to create your own unique style
*How to have your live performance blow people away
*How to attract the right team around you
*How to form a game plan to make your dreams a reality
*The three biggest mistakes that most emerging artists make

Instructor John Battaglia is Founder and President of Rockstar Image, an image-building and personal coaching firm for artists. His client list includes such talent as Usher, Beyoncé, Collective Soul, Jessica Simpson, Brandy, Eve and others.

Special guest Matt Hoffer spent his college years at the University of Illinois playing ice hockey, gigging around town in bands, and finally graduating with a degree in finance. After years of post-collegiate work as a real estate broker, Matt decided to make the jump from white-collar corporate guy to indie-rock musician. Playing with such noted musicians as Nir Z (session drummer for John Mayer, Genesis, Jason Mraz) elevated his songs to a new level and drew the attention of CBS execs, who cast him on Rock Star: Supernova. Although he didn't make the show's final rounds, Matt is back and ready to bring his own music to America.

At the conclusion of the seminar, Hoffer will perform a short musical set.]]> 2006-08-08T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/334717 Artists, Apple, Fiona, Brandy, Charles, Ray, Foxx, Jamie, Game, The, Kweli, Talib, Legend, John, Maroon 5, Sting, Temptations, The, Trick Pony, West, Kanye, Musical Styles, Urban, Musicworld, Feature Declaring on national television that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” might be a career-killer for most artists — but most artists aren’t Kanye West.

The 28-year-old hip-hop superstar’s ubiquitous single “Gold Digger” (featuring some Ray Charles-ish backing vocals from friend Jamie Foxx) has effortlessly topped pop, r&b, digital and ringtone charts, while sales of its accompanying album, Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam), exceeded two million in less than two months. With eight Grammy nominations and his name on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world, you’d probably think that the artist’s ego is probably as big as his bank account.

“I’m depressed,” he says.

Uh, come again?

“It’s hard when people are depending on you to have an album that’s not just good, but inspired,” he continues, referring to the out-of-the-box success of his debut album, The College Dropout, which in addition to going triple platinum, earned Grammys for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best R&B Song and launched the catchily meditative “Jesus Walks” into a million consciousnesses. “I mean, my music isn’t just music — it’s medicine. I want my songs to touch people, to give them what they need. Every time I make an album, I’m trying to make a cure for cancer, musically. That stresses me out!”

Any widespread concerns about West’s being a one-trick pony were dispelled by “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” a sweeping single that preceded Late Registration by several weeks and went to the top of the charts, pumped not only by West’s impassioned vocals but also by an ingenious utilization of Shirley Bassey’s James Bond theme, “Diamonds Are Forever.”

The pop smarts were gained from years in the production booth, delivering chart-toppers for Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Ludacris and Alicia Keys. Indeed, his production work on Jay-Z’s now-classic 2001 album The Blueprint, where he drew upon such sources as the Jackson 5, the Doors and the Temptations to put across Jay’s rhymes, made him the go-to producer in hip-hop.

That success was parlayed into a recording contract, but just as things started cooking, West was involved in a near-fatal auto accident in 2002. “I have flashbacks of what happened every day,” he says. “And anytime I hear about any accident my heart sinks in and I thank God that I’m still here. I found out how short life is and how blessed you are to be here.” The experience informed both “Through the Wire,” which he performed with his jaw still wired shut, and the triumphant “Jesus Walks.”

Flash forward to 2005, and with the help of composer/producer Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann), West has delivered an album that’s sure to lead many year-end “best of” lists. In addition to Foxx and Jay-Z, Late Registration’s guest list includes Brandy, Paul Wall, Cam’ron, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and his longtime friend and collaborator John Legend.

The result is an epic in every sense, ranging from the personal to the political, from the romantic to the off-the-wall hilarious. “Crack Music,” with its one-line hook from hip-hop icon The Game, examines the effects of drugs on the black community, as does the searing “Addiction,” wherein West wonders why it is that “everything that’s supposed to be bad makes me feel so good?” On “Bring Me Down,” Brandy lends her soulful voice to West’s cynical raps like “If you ever wanted to ever be anything, there’ll always be somebody that’ll shoot down any dream.”

On the flip side, there’s the infectiously cautionary tale that is “Gold Digger,” as well as the humorous “Drive Slow” with Wall, not to mention the breezy, harmonious confection with Levine on “Heard ‘Em Say.”

That he’s accomplished so much in such a relatively short time has, of course, worked to dispel a lot of that “depression” he speaks of. (The uproar over his Bush comments during a Hurricane Katrina benefit show didn’t hurt, either.) Of his outspokenness, West says, “People either love it or hate it. People love and hated Muhammad Ali. My grandfather loved Muhammad Ali and my grandmother hated him. But I bet you more people love and remember Muhammad Ali than less. Because he used to talk s**t – ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’ – and I think I say the same kind of things in my own statements. It’s like, you can’t please everybody, but if anybody’s got a shot, it’s me.”

Six years ago, Harold Lilly Jr. was working at a warehouse near the airport in Richmond, Virginia. Harold, now 27, would pass time by making up songs. He would sing about his steel-toe boots. He’d sing about his work goggles. He’d sing about mandatory overtime on Saturdays. Then, the young man decided that he would stop fighting destiny and get serious. Though he’d played keyboard and piano since age 12, Lilly says he suddenly “really decided that I needed to go hard with music,” he said. “It was one of those now or never moments.”

One of his demos, a duet with Missy Elliott protégée Nicole Wray, ended up in the hands of Big Jon Platt at EMI. On the strength of that one song, Lilly became the subject of intense interest from the executive. With only a short stint at a community college under his belt, the former assembly worker abruptly found himself at the helm of a lucrative recording career.

“I’ve been blessed,” says the songwriter and producer, who won his first Grammy this year for co-writing the Alicia Keys hit, “You Don’t Know My Name.”

Though he’s consistently created hits for some of music’s hottest names, including Luther Vandross (“Take You Out”), Angie Stone (“Brother”), Brandy (“Talk About Our Love”), and Fantasia ("Baby Mama"), Lilly’s sound doesn’t stay the same; it varies from track to track, ensuring the young talent will only continue to hone his skills and grow as an artist. His "Just Gotta Make It," recorded by Trey Songz, is currently climbing the charts.

“I care about the craft,” says the decidedly low-key musician. “Everybody doesn’t go to the club, everybody is not about blinging. People want to hear music they can relate to. That’s where I come in and carve out a niche for myself.”

Multi-faceted composer Kurt Farquhar.

This talented Los Angeles-based composer/songwriter has quickly become a staple in the world of television music. A Chicago native, he composed his first symphonic work at age 12, going on to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Eastern Illinois University and at the Paris and Versailles Conservatories in France.

Having worked in the TV music world for over 14 seasons, he got his start scoring the themes and underscores for such shows as "Sinbad," "Thea," "Sister Sister" and "South Central." Known for his ability to work in the world of sitcoms as well as dramas, his scores for urban shows have been an added feather in his cap.

"My method of work is less technical than soulful; I write from my soul and from the heart of the characters on screen," he explains. "These days I'm very attracted to simplicity and color, silence and overtones. I'm constantly telling the music to just breathe."

A three-time recipient of a BMI Television Music Award for his music on "The King of Queens," his busy fall lineup included the 100th episode of "The Parkers," aired in November.

"It's great to be on a show from the beginning," says Farquhar. "To see the characters develop and to create the music that grows with them over the years is rewarding. This season what's exciting to me is that there will be a soundtrack CD that will be released that I'm an executive producer for and also have some of my songs on. It will include cast members Countess Vaughn James and Jenna Von Oy singing. I'm still blown away on how good those two ladies sound. The whole 100th episode is going to sort of revolve around the music of this soundtrack."

New projects for Farquhar include the television shows "Dance 360," "Hip Hop Harry," and "All of Us," the much anticipated comedy produced by powerhouse couple Will Smith & Jada Pinckett Smith.

On a sad note for Kurt, 2003 is the series finale of "Soul Food," Showtime's most successful, original dramatic series. He continues to delve into the pop music world in addition to scoring, having produced and composed music for Natalie Cole, Brandy, The Pointer Sisters, Brenda, Lionel Richie and Destiny's Child.

Farquhar just completed the score for the upcoming feature film Beauty Shop, directed by Leslie Collins and starring Monique. "I feel blessed that not a lot of composers get to advance from TV to features. I'm excited -- you get to express so much more on the big screen."]]> 2004-01-06T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233802 Artists, Brandy, Floetry, Train, Musical Styles, R&B, Urban 9th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, recently announced in Los Angeles. Dominating the list of nominees was British singing and songwriting duo Floetry, who earned four nominations including Best R&B/Soul Single Group, Band or Duo and Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, Group, Band or Duo for their smash, "Say Yes," and R&B/Soul Album of the Year, Group, Band or Duo for Floetic and R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year for the album's title track.

Floetry

Heather Headley

BMI songstress Heather Headley followed closely behind, capturing three nominations including Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo for "He Is," R&B/Soul Album of the Year, Solo for This Is Who I Am, as well as the coveted Best New Artist nomination in the R&B/Soul or Rap category. Headley will also co-host the ceremony.

L'il Kim

Brandy

Dottie Peoples

Other BMI nominees included L'il Kim for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video, Brandy for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year, and Dottie Peoples for Best Gospel Album.

The 2003 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards is scheduled for August 23 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles.]]> 2003-08-03T18:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/200050 Artists, 3 Doors Down, Aaliyah, Adams, John, Aguilera, Christina, Arnold, Brad, Bacilos, Baltimore, Charli, Bedingfield, Daniel, Big Tymers, Blind Boys of Alabama, The, Bowie, David, Branch, Michelle, Brandy, Busta Rhymes, Cachao, Carlton, Vanessa, Christy, Lauren, Christy, Lauren, Creed, Crow, Sheryl, Daniels, Charlie, Dirty Vegas, Dixie Chicks, Elfman, Danny, Eminem, Enya, Evans, Faith, Flaming Lips, The, Floetry, Foo Fighters, Gabriel, Peter, Garza, David Lee, Golijov, Osvaldo, Green, Al, Green, Pat, Hammond, Fred, Hancock, Herbie, Hargrove, Roy, Harris, Jesse, Henley, Don, Hill, Faith, Intocable, James, Etta, Jars of Clay, John, Elton, Jones, Norah, Juanes, Kelly, R., Kenny G, King, B.B., Kinky, Knapp, Jennifer, Korn, Krauss, Alison, Lauderdale, Jim, Lonestar, Maines, Lloyd, Mardin, Arif, McBride, Martina, Metheny, Pat, Miller, Lee Thomas, Moby, Nappy Roots, Nelson, Willie, Neptunes, The, Newman, Thomas, Nickel Creek, Nickelback, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The, Parton, Dolly, Queens of the Stone Age, Roberts, Matt, Santos, John, Scruggs, Earl, Shorter, Wayne, Slutsky, Allan, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Spears, Britney, Spock, Scott, Stanley, Ralph, Sting, Stone, Angie, Tedeschi, Susan, Temptations, The, Tesh, John, Trick Pony, Williams, Lucinda, Winans, Bebe, Musical Styles, Blues, Country, Jazz, Pop Sheryl Crow, Eminem and Norah Jones lead the list of nominees for this year's Grammy Awards with five nods each. Nominees were announced today (1/7) at a press conference at New York's Madison Square Garden. The 45th Grammy Awards will be held on February 23 at the Garden, and will be broadcast live on CBS from 8-11:30 (ET/PT).

Sheryl Crow

Eminem

Norah Jones

Other BMI writers who received multiple nominations included four each for country darlings the Dixie Chicks, producer Arif Mardin and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger (including Record of the Year for the Nickelback smash "How You Remind Me"). Newcomer Vanessa Carlton picked up three. Fellow BMI pop divas Pink, Britney Spears and Michelle Branch garnered two nominations each, as did blues legend B.B. King, film composer Thomas Newman and gospel giant Fred Hammond.

BMI's 2003 Grammy nominees:

FIVE NOMINATIONS

Sheryl Crow
Eminem
Norah Jones

FOUR NOMINATIONS

Dixie Chicks
Chad Kroeger (SOCAN)

THREE NOMINATIONS

Vanessa Carlton
Floetry (Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart)
Arif Mardin
Pat Metheny

TWO NOMINATIONS

Michelle Branch
Michael Brecker
The Chieftains
Madukwu Chinwah
Natalie Cole
Dirty Vegas (PRS)
Foo Fighters
Carlos Franzetti
Kenny G
Pat Green
Herbie Hancock
Nellee Hooper (PRS)
B.B. King
Diana Krall (SOCAN)
Rashid Lonnie Lynn
Nappy Roots
Willie Nelson
Thomas Newman
Nickel Creek
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dolly Parton
Pink
Britney Spears
Ralph Stanley
3 Doors Down (Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson, Matt Roberts)
Doc Watson
John Williams

SINGLE NOMINEES

Aaliyah
Will Ackerman
John Adams
Christina Aguilera
Darol Anger
Audio Adrenaline
Bacilos
David Balakrishnan
Charli Baltimore
Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga
Jeff Bass
Daniel Bedingfield (PRS)
Big Tymers
Eddie Blazonczyk
The Blind Boys of Alabama
Kevin Bond
Ryan Bowser
David Bowie (PRS)
Brandy
Norman Brown
Solomon Burke
Burning Sky
R.L. Burnside
Gary Burton
Gary Calamar
Michel Camilo
Cam’Ron
The Canton Spirituals
Capleton (PRS)
Caribbean Jazz Project
Cee-Lo
Lauren Christy
The Clinch Mountain Boys
Andy Colver (PRS)
Commissioned
Common
Creed
Bill Cunliffe
The Charlie Daniels Band
Diamond Rio
Michael Doucet
Dave Douglas
Don Edwards
Danny Elfman
Enya (PRS)
Faith Evans
Tommy Flanagan
The Flaming Lips
Béla Fleck
Michael J. Fox
Allison Brewster Franzetti
The Funk Brothers
Peter Gabriel (PRS)
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Osvaldo Golijov
Gov’t Mule
Al Green
Grits
Dave Grusin
Deitrick Haddon
Fred Hammond
Roy Hargrove
Jesse Harris
Don Henley
Faith Hill
Dave Holland Big Band
David Holt
Intocable
Etta James
Jars of Clay
JaRule
Jay-Z
Maxi Jazz (PRS)
Little Joe & La Familia
Elton John (PRS)
The Jordanaires
Juanes
John P. Kee
Salif Keita (PRS)
R. Kelly
Kinky
Kitaro
Jennifer Knapp
Knoc-Turn’Al
Korn
Dave Koz
Jeff Koz
Alison Krauss
Femi Kuti (SACEM)
kd lang
Jim Lauderdale
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Don Letts (PRS)
Lonestar
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
The Light Crust Doughboys
Limi-T 21
Israel “Cachao” López
Taj Mahal
Lloyd Maines
Maraca
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Freddie McGregor (PRS)
Lee Thomas Miller
Mingus Big Band
Moby
Charlie Musselwhite
Meshell Ndegeocello
The Neptunes
Newsong
Nickelback (SOCAN)
*NSYNC
The Oak Ridge Boys
Makoto Ozone (JASRAC)
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Pharrell
Queens of the Stone Age
Busta Rhymes
Riders In the Sky
Peter Rowan
Nancy Rumbel
Nicky Ryan (PRS)
Roma Ryan (PRS)
Mingo Saldivar y Sus Tremendos Cuatro Espadas
Santana
John Santos and the Machete Ensemble
Al Schmitt
The John Scofield Band
Earl Scruggs
Wayne Shorter
Jon Sidel
Siggno
Allan Slutsky
Arthur Smith (PRS)
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Scott Spock
Ralph Stanley II
Sting (PRS)
Angie Stone
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Take Six
Susan Tedeschi
John Tesh
The Temptations
Eric Tingstad
Tobymac
Trick Pony
Kathy Troccoli
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
McCoy Tyner
Jai Uttal
Bebo Valdés
Carlos “Patato” Valdés
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Scott Wenzel
Kenny Werner
Lucinda Williams
Robin Williams
Dean Wilson (PRS)
BeBe Winans
The Roland White Band
Pete Woodruff
Yellowjackets
Joe Zawinul