The new group began when White and Benson got together one hot summer day and wrote and recorded the song “Steady, As She Goes” at Benson’s East Grand Studio (which was, in fact, the attic of his home). Fired by what they created, the two joined forces with Lawrence and Keeler — whose band had been produced by Benson — to record a full album of Benson/White compositions whenever they had time amidst all their other activities.

“We just went in and wrote songs and recorded immediately,” says White of their creative approach. Even though inspiration drove the project, the process of getting 10 songs down took a good year. But finally, in May 2006, the foursome released their debut album as The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers.

The disc hit No. 7 on the U.S. charts and No. 2 in the U.K., powered by the success of its first single, the seminal “Steady, As She Goes,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. Hitting the road to appear at festivals like Lollapalooza as well as at clubs, the group that calls itself “a new band made up of old friends” quickly became a star attraction.

What at first glance may have looked like a one-off side project now seems destined to take its place alongside its members’ other pursuits. The band has relocated to Nashville and is writing and recording new material. But even after a hit album and the better part of a year on the road, The Raconteurs remain a work in progress. “The band is just changing so much,” says White. “We’re really trying to figure out what we are.”

Lily Allen	Corinne Bailey Rae	Snow Patrol

Newcomer Lily Allen leads the BMI nominees with a total of four, including British Female Solo Artist, MasterCard British Album, British Single Shortlist and British Breakthrough Act. She will compete against another new voice, three-time nominee Corinne Bailey Rae, in all but the album category.

Also taking home three nods were rock outfit Snow Patrol, whose smash "Chasing Cars" made the single shortlist, and neo-soul duo Gnarls Barkley, who is up for a trio of international awards.

Gnarls Barkley	Amy Winehouse	Kasabian

Double mentions went to 22-year-old singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse, Brit-pop quartet Kasabian and post-punk rockers Razorlight. Former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker is looking to win the British Male Solo Artist trophy, while BMI "Pick of the Month" featured artists The Feeling will vie for the British Single Brit Award with their hit "Fill My Little World."

Razorlight	Jarvis Cocker	The Feeling

Established in 1977, the Brit Awards is a charity event that donates all proceeds to the British Record Industry Trust, better known as the Brit Trust, an organization that encourages the exploration and pursuit of the educational, cultural and therapeutic benefits of music. The Brit Awards is one of the U.K.'s most exciting, most talked about and most successful music events, and is considered the equivalent of the Grammys.

BMI's 2007 Brit Awards Nominees:

British Male Solo Artist
Jarvis Cocker (PRS)

British Female Solo Artist
Amy Winehouse (PRS)
Corinne Bailey Rae (PRS)
Lily Allen (PRS)
Nerina Pallot (PRS)

British Group
Kasabian (PRS)
Razorlight (PRS)
Snow Patrol (PRS)

MasterCard British Album
Amy Winehouse (PRS)
Back to Black

Lily Allen (PRS)
Alright, Still

Snow Patrol (PRS)
Eyes Open

British Single Shortlist
"Put Your Records On"
Corrine Bailey Rae (PRS)

"Fill My Little World"
The Feeling (PRS)

"A Moment Like This"
Written by Jorgen Elofsson and John Reid

"Smile"
Lily Allen (PRS)

"America"
Razorlight (PRS)

"I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker"
Sandi Thom (PRS)

"Chasing Cars"
Snow Patrol (PRS)

"All Time Love"
Written by Jamie Hartman (PRS)

British Breakthrough Act
Corrine Bailey Rae (PRS)
The Fratellis (PRS)
Lily Allen (PRS)

British Live Act
Guillemots (PRS)
Kasabian (PRS)

International Female Solo Artist
Cat Power
Christina Aguilera
Pink

International Group
The Flaming Lips
Gnarls Barkley
Red Hot Chili Peppers

International Album
Gnarls Barkley
St Elsewhere

International Breakthrough Act
Gnarls Barkley
Orson
The Raconteurs
Wolfmother (APRA)

Outstanding Contribution to Music
Oasis (PRS)

Katie Todd talks to her manager Jill Katona backstage - prior to kicking off the Sunday BMI stage lineup - as Lollapalooza's documentary film crew captures the conversation.

Hometown favorites frequented the BMI stage, from Friday's kick-off with buzz-band the Bon Mots until the Assassin's endnote on Sunday. Other Windy City acts Cameron McGill and What Army, Musical Outfits, Kill Hannah, the Katie Todd Band and Catfish Haven graced the stage as well-each a testament to the town's rich artistic backdrop. The four corners of the country were also well-represented, thanks to Houston's Makeshifte, San Francisco's Kelley Stoltz, Indiana's Jon McLaughlin, Austin's St. James, New York City's Lanz, Atlanta's Manchester Orchestra and Birmingham's Moses Mayfield.

Chicago's Catfish Haven - dressed in black - perform with a beefed-up presence: background singers and a horn section are dressed in white. Pictured left to right: BMI's June Neira, bandmembers George Hunter, Miguel Castillo, and Ryan Farnham, BMI's Charlie Feldman

"Lollapalooza is the perfect platform to underscore BMI's commitment to the best new music," says New York Writer/Publisher VP Charlie Feldman. "We provided a great opportunity for many of our up-and-coming acts in a high profile setting that also promoted many of BMI's superstars. Our stage sponsorship of this first-class event was a win-win for BMI."

Manchester Orchestra - left to right BMI's Samantha Cox, band leader Andy Hall with members Jay, Jeremiah, and Chris, BMI's Lynn Oliver

Moses Mayfield - Front row, l - r: Band members Matthew Mayfield and Will Drake, manager Jason Rogoff. Back row, l-r: BMI's Lynn Oliver, band members Will Mason, Hans Ford, and Matt Taylor.

l-r: Band members Will Mason and Will Drake, BMI's June Neira, Matthew Mayfield, BMI's Charlie Feldman, Hans Ford, Matt Taylor, manager Jason Rogoff, BMI's Samantha Cox

BMI's June Neira, Sub Pop recording artist Kelley Stoltz (currently opening for the Raconteurs US Tour), BMI's Charlie Feldman

Keyboardist Chris Frantisak, BMI's Kay Clary, BMI's June Neira, Bon Mot leader Eric Chial

BMI's Lynn Oliver and Samantha Cox gear up to catch Kill Hannah's headlining set on BMI's day stage.

L-R: BMI's Ben Tischker, Rodrigo Palma, Nate Swan, BMI's Charlie Feldman, Cameron McGill, Jeff Kmeciak, Noah Harris, and Sean Burke

Kill Hannah command the BMI Stage on Saturday afternoon

Performance photos by Scott Newton

The quartet convened at Benson’s East Grand Studio to lay down the basic tracks for Broken Boy Soldiers. Work would continue whenever the boys could get together over the next year. Finally, the album has found a window for its release in May of 2006. The band is now, for its members, all consuming and they now present themselves to be....consumed, or at best simply heard.

From the ready-made, radio-friendly quality built into songs like “Steady, As She Goes,” to the explosive tenacity of “Store Bought Bones,” all the way down to the “hits the cockles of your heart” lullabies that encompass the full-length recording, The Raconteurs are more than capable of conquering any genre challenge or tale that they encounter.  After all, a raconteur is, by definition, a deft storyteller. And now a new story is unfolding.

Remember a time

When all was not fine

And up from the dingy sewers

Came four lousy thieves

Who flourished like trees

Behold The Raconteurs.....

The Raconteurs released their debut album Broken Boy Soldiers through Third Man Records/V2 Records on May 16, 2006. The album features 10 songs, including the debut single “Steady, As She Goes.”

Broken Boy Soldiers track list in full:

1. Steady, As She Goes
2. Hands
3. Broken Boy Soldier
4. Intimate Secretary
5. Together
6. Level
7. Store Bought Bones
8. Yellow Sun
9. Call It A Day
10. Blue Veins

All songs recorded at Le Grande Studios in Detroit by Matthew Kettle and Brendan Benson. Mixed by Jack White at Ardent Studios, Memphis. Produced by Jack White and Brendan Benson.

The Raconteurs enjoyed a sold out tour of the U.K. in March. Their debut U.S. show at New York City’s Irving Plaza in April will be followed by shows at the Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles on June 7, European festival dates and a performance at The Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago’s Grant Park on July 4.