Considering Brown’s track record, her low-key approach to career management seems like quite an accomplishment, indeed. Brown, a songwriter, vocal coach and singer, has penned hits for countless marquee artists, working with Mary J. Blige, Will Smith, Patti LaBelle, Babyface, Trey Songz and more. Her BMI publishing company, Ms. Mary’s Music, boasts more than 40 awards plaques.

Brown got her start while still in high school, impressing Teddy Riley so much on an audition that he immediately signed her on to vocal produce, do arrangements and sing background on his second album for the group Guy, as well as side projects. Word spread. Years later, Brown, who says that one of her strengths is “to see the inside of an artist,” was tapped to write a song for a new girl group —fast. In just a few hours, Brown cranked out a song and handed it over to execs: Of course, Destiny’s Child’s “No, No, No” became a monster hit in 1997 and a trampoline for the group and Beyonce Knowles, with whom Brown is currently making new music.

Sean Combs, who says Brown “has a mean pen game,” uses Mary Brown as a songstress for many of his artists. Donnie Klang has benefited from the Brown touch, as has Danity Kane, whose Brown-penned “Bad Girl” featuring Missy Elliott was a fan favorite on TRL.

These days Brown, a New Jersey native, fills her days working with established and emerging entertainers (Babyface, Rihanna) and laying the groundwork for expansion within the industry. She’s just formed a writer’s group called The Formulah, which also includes male group named 4U and a solo artist D-yon.

“I am building a self-contained empire,” she says, as her experiences out of the spotlight get smaller and smaller in her rearview mirror.

Go to Chicago Chapter for program details and ticketing information.

Event proceeds benefit the Chapter's ongoing music advocacy, education and professional development programs.

If you are interested in supporting or attending this event, please contact Olivia Whitt at 215.985.5411.

Last year, she fulfilled a longtime dream with the release of her first faith-based album, The Gospel According to Patti Labelle, and she’s currently working on a reunion album with LaBelle, the funk trio that helped define the ’70s with such hits as “Lady Marmalade.”

“It’s the same girls. I wouldn’t do it unless they were involved,” LaBelle says of Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. “It’s been a long time since we recorded, but they asked me and I said I’d postpone a lot of my other things to get together and do it right. It feels wonderful because we’re still the same friends, just older.”

Having achieved success in multiple genres from pop to disco to r&b, LaBelle, who is currently negotiating a new deal with Island/Def Jam, has reached that enviable stage in her career where she has the freedom to record whatever she wants. She exercised that freedom on The Gospel According to Patti Labelle.

LaBelle says the album was a labor of love and she was thrilled with its reception. “I was shocked! It was No. 1 for nine weeks,” says LaBelle of the project, which included guest appearances by CeCe Winans, Wynonna Judd, Mary Mary, Kanye West, The Soul Seekers, Tye Tribbett, and Yolanda Adams. “It was all because of God and my fans. For years I’d been promising my fans a gospel CD.”

The reason for the timing of the album is that her longtime friend and musical director Bud Ellison was battling cancer and she’d always wanted him to be involved in her gospel project. Ellison died before the album was complete and LaBelle dedicated the album to her friend and donated all proceeds to cancer research.

LaBelle says she didn’t approach the recording of The Gospel According to Patti Labelle any differently than one of her secular projects. “To me a song is a song,” she says. “It can be a secular song or a gospel song, but it has to be lyrically great and has to have a melody that I love. And it has to be age appropriate. I’m 62-years-young and I don’t want to sound like I’m a 20-year-old. It has to be real and make sense to me before I sing it.”

A Philadelphia native, the two-time Grammy winner was born Patricia Louise Holt. She’s recorded 30 albums: six as Patti LaBelle & the Bluebells, five with LaBelle and 19 as Patti LaBelle. She’s scored numerous hits, gracing both the pop and r&b charts, among them the sassy “New Attitude” and “On My Own,” a duet with Michael McDonald.

LaBelle was concerned that with the release of her gospel project, people might think she’d permanently changed musical direction, and she might get pigeonholed in one genre. “I felt people might be judging me and I was a little nervous. I had a feeling people might say ‘She’s changing from secular to gospel’,” says LaBelle. “That was never the issue. I’d never give up my secular music for gospel and I’d never give up my gospel music for secular. I do all kinds of music.”

In addition to her music, LaBelle hosts Living It Up with Patti LaBelle on TV One. She has also authored four best-selling books, including two cookbooks for diabetics. Diagnosed in 1995 with the disease, LaBelle is a spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association. An astute businesswoman, she also has her own fashion line, Patti LaBelle Clothing, available on the Home Shopping Network.

LaBelle is modest about her achievements, particularly when it comes to songwriting. “I can come up with titles and I can help with the bridge,” says LaBelle. She cites the Bonnie Raitt hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” penned by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin as one of her favorite songs. “I recorded that on my ‘Classic Moments’ album. That’s one of the greatest lyrics I’ve ever heard. It’s phenomenal and for me to sit down and write a phenomenal song, it’s really not in me, but I’m great with a hook and I can give you a great title.”

When asked to name her greatest accomplishment, LaBelle doesn’t mention the Grammys, platinum records or industry accolades, her thoughts turn to family. “It’s my son,” she says. “He’s 32 and is phenomenal. He has nothing to do with the [music] industry. When I got pregnant, I was told I should get an abortion. The people I was working with said it would stop my career. I said ‘Well, it can stop it, but I’m having my baby!’ He was the blessing I needed in my life. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me!”

BMI artists shined at this year’s awards, with winners including Gnarls Barkley, Best Group; Ne-Yo, Best Male R&B; Kirk Franklin, Best Gospel Artist; Birdman & Lil’Wayne’s "Stuntin' Like My Daddy," Viewers Choice Award.

The late Gerald Levert won in the BETJ Cool Like That category. One of the highlights of the evening was the all-star performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings” performed by his father, Eddie Levert, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Yolanda Adams.

Hosted by actress/comedian Mo'Nique, the BET Awards also bestowed the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary songstress Diana Ross, and the Humanitarian Award to award-winning actor and activist Don Cheadle.

Pictured after the ceremony are R&B Foundation Chairman Kendall Minter and his guest, BMI's Del Bryant, legendary musician Lloyd Price and R&B Foundation board member Judy Tint.

Two-time Grammy winner Thom Bell, credited as one of the architects of the "Philly Soul" sound, adds this prestigious award to a trophy collection that includes his recent induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Leon Huff, Kenny Gamble, Eddie Holland and Brian Holland gather on stage to reminisce about Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Berry Gordy, Jr.

The R&B Foundation, which honors the genre's greats and seeks to preserve its legacy, revived its Pioneer Awards gala after a three-year hiatus due to money troubles. The organization now has the financial support of both the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania under a plan inspired by legendary BMI producer/songwriter Kenny Gamble, who was in attendance with his "Sound of Philadelphia" writing partner Leon Huff to present the award to Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.

Songwriter Eddie Holland, BMI's Charlie Feldman and Del Bryant, Eddie's daughter and songwriter Brian Holland share a table at a local Philly diner after the gala.

Singers Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson hosted the event at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. In addition to Gamble and Huff, other presenters included BMI Icons Brian and Eddie Holland of Motown songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland, Ashford & Simpson, Bill Cosby, Jerry Butler, Boyz II Men, Bonnie Raitt and Jill Scott.

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is an independent, non-profit service organization whose mission is to foster public recognition and appreciation of rhythm & blues music and the artists who made significant contributions to the birth and development of r&b music, particularly from the 1940s through the 1970s. A year-round endeavor, the R&B Foundation produces the popular Pioneer Awards and administers significant medical and financial assistance endowments to those in need. Officially established in 1988, the Foundation was housed in Washington, D.C. and New York City until the recent move to Philadelphia in April of 2005.]]> 2006-07-09T18:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334631 Artists, Adams, William, Adams, Yolanda, Aguilera, Christina, Audio Adrenaline, Audioslave, Austin, Dallas, Ayala, Ramon, Ball, Marcia, Barretto, Ray, Big & Rich, Black Eyed Peas, Blanchard, Terence, Blue Highway, Bolcom, William, Boyer, Peter, Brooks & Dunn, Bush, Sam, Carey, Mariah, Carr, Kurt, Casting Crowns, Cerf, Christopher, Chapman, Steven Curtis, Cherryholmes, Childs, Billy, Chirino, Willy, Clapton, Eric, Clark-Cole, Dorinda, Common, Cooder, Ry, Copeland, Stewart, Crow, Sheryl, Cunliffe, Bill, D'Rivera, Paquito, Daft Punk, Daniels, Charlie, De La Soul, Death Cab For Cutie, Del McCoury Band, The, DiFranco, Ani, Dixie Chicks, Douglas, Dave, Douglas, Jerry, Du Prez, John, Elfman, Danny, Eminem, Fall Out Boy, Floetry, Foo Fighters, Foster, David, Foxx, Jamie, Franklin, Aretha, Franklin, Kirk, Game, The, Gatlin, Larry, Gil, Gilberto, Gill, Vince, Golijov, Osvaldo, Gorillaz, Guy, Buddy, Haggard, Merle, Hancock, Herbie, Hanna, Jeff, Hill, Faith, Holland, Dave, Houghton, Israel, Hummon, Marcus, Hunt, Van, Idle, Eric, Intocable, Jamiroquai, Jars of Clay, Jerkins, Rodney, Jones, Norah, Keane, Kee, John P., Keith, Toby, Kelly, R., King, B.B., Krauss, Alison, La Tropa F, LaBelle, Patti, Lawrence, Donald, Legend, John, Linkin Park, Los Lonely Boys, Maroon 5, McBride, Martina, McClinton, Delbert, McClurkin, Donnie, McGehee, Vicky, McGraw, Tim, McLachlan, Sarah, Metheny, Pat, Miguel, Luis, Mo, Keb, Molotov, Mos Def, Munizzi, Martha, Murphy, Walter, Nelson, Willie, Neptunes, The, Nickelback, Orishas, Palmieri, Eddie, Prine, John, Queens of the Stone Age, Rascal Flatts, Redman, Joshua, Rollins, Sonny, Seal, Shakira, Shorter, Wayne, Souza, Luciana, Sturr, Jimmy, Sugarland, System of a Down, Turtle Island String Quartet, Urban, Keith, Vega, Louie, Vincent, Rhonda, West, Kanye, White Stripes, The, Williams, John, Wilson, Brian, Winans, Bebe, Winans, CeCe, Winter, Paul, Yazbek, David, Ying Yang Twins 48th Annual Grammy Awards with eight nods each when contenders were announced at a star-studded press conference held December 8 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Their three-way tie pushed the total number of BMI-nominated songwriters and artists to an astounding 70% in the general fields.

Mariah Carey	Kanye West	John Legend

Mariah Carey's multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, and its smash single "We Belong Together," helped the pop singer score three of the most coveted Grammy nominations: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The hit ballad also picked up mentions for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while Mimi added Best Contemporary R&B Album to Carey's haul.

Presenters for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards nominations included BMI songwriter/artists John Legend, CeCe Winans, Mariah Carey, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Patti LaBelle. Photo by S. Lovekin/WireImage

Rapper Kanye West continued his red hot streak, also earning nominations in the Album and Record of the Year categories with his sophomore release Late Registration and the hit "Gold Digger," respectively. He will compete against himself for the Album of the Year title as a producer on Carey's disc. As a songwriter, West will battle for the Best Rap Song crown with his "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," as well as Best R&B Song as a co-writer on the Alicia Keys track "Unbreakable."

Black Eyed Peas	Brooks & Dunn

Soul singer John Legend is up for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album for his debut Get Lifted, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Song of the Year for "Ordinary People," which he also co-wrote. Legend joins his mentor Kanye West and rapper Common on the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ticket with "They Say."

Casting Crowns	Common

Coming in with six nominations was Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas who, as a songwriter, has a shot at Song of the Year and Best R&B Song as co-writer of Legend's "Ordinary People" and Best Rap Song for the Peas' hit "Don't Phunk with My Heart." The band is also up for Best Rap and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Death Cab for Cutie	Foo Fighters

In addition to Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Common earned three other mentions, including Best Rap Album for Be. Four nods also went to Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Billy Childs and BMI producer/songwriters the Neptunes, who have production credits on two Album of the Year nominees -- Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi and Gwen Stefani's Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

The Game	Gorillaz	John Williams

Earning three nominations apiece were Sheryl Crow, with Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Good is Good"), Best Pop Vocal Album (Wildflower) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the single "Building Bridges," featuring Brooks & Dunn and Vince Gill; Eminem (Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album); and film composer John Williams, up for Best Score for Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, as well as for Best Instrumental Composition for both "Anakin's Betrayal" (from Revenge of the Sith) and "The Ferry Scene" (from the War of the Worlds soundtrack).

Maroon 5	Norah Jones	Sheryl Crow

Double nominees included rappers The Game and T.I., songwriter Marcus Hummon, singer Norah Jones and gospel diva CeCe Winans.

Other BMI songwriters and artists collecting Grammy nominations were Christina Aguilera, Dallas Austin, Casting Crowns, Eric Clapton (PRS), Death Cab for Cutie, Paquito D'Rivera, Danny Elfman, Fall Out Boy, Osvaldo Golijov, Dave Holland Big Band, Intocable, Keane (PRS), Maroon 5, Sugarland, Ying Yang Twins, and BMI Icons Charlie Daniels and Brian Wilson.

Sugarland		T.I.

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 8.

BMI's 2006 Grammy Award Nominees:

8 NOMINATIONS
Mariah Carey
John Legend
Kanye West

6 NOMINATIONS
William Adams

4 NOMINATIONS
Billy Childs
Common
Foo Fighters
Gorillaz (PRS)
The Neptunes

3 NOMINATIONS
Yolanda Adams
The Black Eyed Peas
Sheryl Crow
De La Soul
Eminem
Herbie Hancock
Faith Hill
Alison Krauss & Union Station
John Williams

2 NOMINATIONS
Bobby Boyd
Brooks & Dunn
Andrew Coleman
Andrew Dawson
Dixie Chicks
The Game
Michael Giacchino
Jeff Hanna
Marcus Hummon
Norah Jones
Delbert McClinton
Donnie McClurkin
Joel Moss
Willie Nelson
Al Schmitt
Fat Man Scoop
T.I.
The White Stripes
CeCe Winans

MORE NOMINEES
Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O'Farrill
Christina Aguilera
Trey Anastasio
Audio Adrenaline
Audioslave
John August
Dallas Austin
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Marcia Ball
Ray Barretto
Steve Berkowitz
Big & Rich
Terence Blanchard
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Blue Highway
Printz Board
William Bolcom
Peter Boyer
Solomon Burke
Burning Spear (PRS)
Sam Bush
Gary Calamar
Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels Orishas (SACEM)
Kurt Carr
Casting Crowns
Christopher Cerf
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cherryholmes
The Chieftains (IMRO)
Willy Chirino
Eric Clapton (PRS)
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Conjunto Progreso
Ry Cooder
Stewart Copeland
The Crabb Family
Robert Cray
Bill Cunliffe
Rivers Cuomo
Daft Punk (PRS)
Charlie Daniels
Day of Fire
Death Cab for Cutie
Deep Dish
Mos Def
Jack De Johnette
The Del McCoury Band
Ani DiFranco
Jerry Douglas
Dave Douglas
Paquito D'Rivera
John Du Prez (PRS)
Jerry Duplessis
Nokie Edwards
Danny Elfman
Ahmet Ertegun
Bill Evans
Fall Out Boy
Sammy Figueroa
Béla Fleck
Floetry
David Foster
Jamie Foxx
Aretha Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Carlos Franzetti
Larry Gatlin
Joachim Garraud (SACEM)
Gilberto Gil
Vince Gill
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Osvaldo Golijov
The Grascals
Grits
Buddy Guy
Merle Haggard
John Hammond
Raiatea Helm
Dave Holland Big Band
Israel Houghton
Van Hunt
Eric Idle (PRS)
Intocable
Jamiroquai (PRS)
Jars of Clay
The Jazz Chamber Trio
Rodney Jerkins
Eric Johnson
George Jones
The Jordanaires
Ledward Ka'apana
Keane (PRS)
John P. Kee
Garison Keillor
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
B.B. King
Kitaro
Kraftwerk (GEMA)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (SAMRO)
Las 3 Divas
La Secta Allstar
The Last Poets
La Tropa F
Donald Lawrence
Ricky Lewis
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lil Wayne
Harold Lily
Aaron Lindsey
Linkin Park
Little Joe
Los Lonely Boys
Los Pleneros de la 21
Andre Lyon
Maroon 5
Joeworn Martin
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Vicky McGehee
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Meat Beat Manifesto
Pat Metheny Group
Luis Miguel
Mingus Big Band
Ministry
Keb Mo
Molotov
Rick Moranis (SOCAN)
Mudvayne
Martha Munizzi
Walter Murphy
Meshell Ndegeocello
North Mississippi Allstars
The Oak Ridge Boys
Claus Ogerman (GEMA)
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
George Pajon, Jr.
Eddie Palmieri
John Prine
Queens of the Stone Age
Rascal Flatts
Joshua Redman Elastic Band
Sonny Rollins
The Royal Jesters
Eddie Santiago
Marvin Sapp
Seal (PRS)
José Serebrier
Shakira
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Ron Sluga
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Sugarland
Tierney Sutton
System of a Down
Ali Farka Touré (BUMDA)
Tiempo Libre
Turtle Island String Quartet
Keith Urban
Bebo Valdés
Marcello Valenzano
Louie Vega
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Brian Wilson
BeBe Winans
George Winston
Paul Winter Consort
Hugh Wolff
David Yazbek
Ying Yang Twins

Born Patricia Holt, "Patti" got her start in a Baptist choir in her hometown of Philadelphia. She and friend Cindy Birdsong formed the Ordettes in 1960, and in the following year added Nona Hendryx and Sara Dash to become the Blue Belles. By 1962 she'd seen her first glimpse at stardom after scoring a Top 20 hit with "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman." In 1965, Labelle and her group — now known as Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles — turned the standard "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" into a hit; to this day, LaBelle's version of the song remains a staple in her live show and is mythical for its ability to prompt goose bumps and tears.

Eventually becoming a trio, the newly named LaBelle had become a funky, more rock-oriented band revered for stage theatrics and sexually charged, revolutionary costumes. In 1974, LaBelle become the first group to perform at the Met in New York; there, they debuted another song forever synonymous with the Patti LaBelle cult: "Lady Marmalade."

In 1977, she left the group and released a self-titled album. Aside from that album's still-popular hit, "You Are My Friend," she had minor successes until the early 1980s, when her career shot upward. She scored a #1 with "If Only You Knew" and the fan favorite, "Love, Need & Want You." By the time her song "New Attitude" peaked at #7 on the pop charts in 1985, LaBelle had become an icon not just for her forceful, guttural soprano, but also for her wild hairdos and fabulous stage antics. During her performances, all true Patti LaBelle fans hold their breath until the moment when the diva will kick off her shoes and roll around on stage while faultlessly holding her notes.

She released four more albums in the 1990s, even earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by way of a petition from her fans. In 2003, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In recent years, the artist has diversified her realm of talents. Her cookbooks fly off shelves, she's done acting for television and film and she's signed on to a second season of a reality TV show. She's become an unintended spokesperson for diabetes prevention and care, and an unwavering supporter in the fight against AIDS. Her last album, 2004's Timeless Journey , debuted at #16 and went Gold.

Pictured after an Atlantic Records showcase are artist/songwriter Trey Songz, BMI's Wardell Malloy and producer Troy Taylor

A talented R&B artist and accomplished songwriter, Trey Songz got his start in Petersburg, VA at age 15, when he met his producer and mentor, Troy Taylor. Impressed by an a cappella version of "All The Things I Do," a song Trey himself had written, Taylor urged Trey to get serious. To date, Trey has written and co-produced for labelmate Kevin Lyttle's self-titled debut, sings solo on "About The Game" from Coach Carter: Music From The Motion Picture, and is featured on "Ain't A Thug," on Trick Daddy's latest album, Thug Matrimony. Trey co-wrote and guests on the tracks "I Know" and "Line of Fire" from Juvenile's upcoming album, and will collaborate with Lil Kim, Trina, and Snoop Dogg on their forthcoming projects.

Taylor was born and bred in suburban New Haven, Connecticut, into a family of talented musicians, resulting in his exposure to music at a very early age. He started by singing in local talent shows and then moved on to playing keyboards and learning how to listen and understand music. Taylor's ear for music and his natural ability to gain people's attention enabled him to make great strides in his career. As an entrepreneur, Taylor formed his own production company, Songbook Entertainment, several years ago. With a discography full of platinum hits, he has worked with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, B2K, Ginuwine, Patti Labelle, Omarion, Kevin Lyttle, Glenn Lewis, The Mighty O-Jay's, Take 6, SWV, 702, Brownstone, Johnny Gill, and Stevie Wonder to name a few.

Hillary Rodham Clinton	Natalie Cole	Mary Bono

Proceeds from this premier event will benefit music education programs in the Washington, DC area. There will also be a special silent auction offering one-of-a-kind music memorabilia as well as other interesting items, including an electric guitar signed by Hootie & The Blowfish, and signed books, photos and CDs from such artists as Patti LaBelle, Dave Matthews, Yolanda Adams, Beyonc�, Jason Mraz, Norah Jones and Usher. Also featured in the auction is a Grammy Awards Package that includes two tickets to the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in February, airfare for two courtesy of AirTrans and hotel accommodations from the Westin LAX Hotel.]]> 2004-09-04T18:00:00-05:00