“I remember Quincy saying ‘the record business is not what it was a couple of years ago, and if we get six million [in sales], I'm gonna declare that a success',” keyboardist Brian Banks recently told the UK’s Daily Telegraph.

The album Quincy Jones reportedly handicapped was Thriller, Michael Jackson’s future-funk masterpiece that today boasts the distinction of being the best-selling album of all time. To date, Thriller has sold so many units that its worldwide tally is hard to track, with estimates ranging from 67 million to 104 million copies sold. In commemoration of this historic achievement, Sony Music has released Thriller 25, a special anniversary edition featuring a remastered version of Jackson’s classic CD, plus a music video DVD and bonus remixes showcasing contemporary artists like Kanye West, will.i.am, Fergie and Akon.

Just as Off the Wall and Thriller reinvented Jackson, so has the singer’s anniversary disc signaled a rebirth. Within two weeks of its February 2008 release, Thriller 25 had shipped well over 1.3 million units internationally. According to Sony Music, the album was charting Top 10 in virtually every market in the world, with the majority of countries reporting top 3 rankings.

Though Thriller’s groundbreaking achievements have been well examined, the facts bear review. Spending 37 weeks at #1, Thriller ranks among only three albums ever to remain in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart for an entire year. Not only did Thriller help Jackson win a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, it was also the first album ever to yield seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles. Radio staples like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller” and “Human Nature” helped bring African-American music back into the mainstream for the first time since disco’s 1970s heyday. Thriller’s music videos set the creative bar so high that many pundits credit the album for transforming MTV into the global phenomenon it is today.

In all, Thriller altered the pop landscape so dramatically that it seemed to separate pop history into two epochs: B.T. (“Before Thriller”) and A.T. (“After Thriller”). The album’s cohesive blend of fizzy pop, hi-tech funk and tart mainstream rock nearly transformed Jackson into a musical genre unto himself. For the MTV generation, Thriller’s impact was nothing short of devastating. The album has been cited as a powerful influence on contemporary artists like Mariah Carey, Usher, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Missy Elliott, Kanye West and countless more.

“All the brilliance that had been building inside Michael Jackson for 24 years just erupted,” Quincy Jones told Playboy magazine, and many critics agree that Thriller is Jackson’s finest hour. Rolling Stone called the disc, “a zesty LP whose up-tempo workouts don't obscure its harrowing, dark messages.” The New York Times described Thriller in almost messianic terms, hailing the album as a hopeful sign that “the destructive barriers that spring up regularly between white and black music — and between whites and blacks — in this culture may be breached once again.”

In hindsight, almost everything about Thriller seemed to point to the album’s success, from its exciting title to the name of the Sony Music subsidiary label the disc was recorded for. With its world-beating sales, innovative songs and groundbreaking videos, Thriller remains a truly epic recording.

How successful has “Angel” been? How does receiving over 1 million views in just 60 hours grab you? As the phenomenon took off, Lavie tried to respond on YouTube to the more than 10,000 encouraging comments left by viewers — with so much activity resulting in the web-page thinking she was actually a spam computer program and suspending her account.

Within two days, however, after loud protests from Lavie’s burgeoning fan base, she was back on YouTube, along with clips for tunes "Falling For You" and "Save Your Breath.”

“This has been, and is, such an amazing journey,” she says. “From suspended to featured, 20,000 views to over a million in just days — this emotional rollercoaster has been nothing short of amazing.”

The Montreal native has been working on her debut album with producer Ben Margulies, the man behind the now-famous five-song demo that a fledgling artist named Mariah Carey was hawking in the 1980s. “I had her sing to me on a cell phone from a mall in Canada,” Margulies says, “and I heard something really special in her voice. I’ve worked with a lot of great singers, and Lisa’s got everything it takes to be a superstar.”

Her exponentially growing fan base would agree, though Lavie wasn’t always so sure. “I didn’t always want to be a singer. There was a time when I used to want to be a pediatrician or a marine biologist, but then I realized I’d have to go through a lot of schooling, so I changed my mind,” she laughs.

Now living in California, Lavie is eager to take her next career step, releasing the long-gestating album. “Everyone that’s heard it thinks it’s something pretty special,” she says, adding with a chuckle, “I’m starting to believe it, too.”

About the panelists:

KC Porter - This Grammy Award-winning producer, arranger and composer has chart-topping works with such Latin superstars as Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Ana Gabriel, and the late Selena. Porter has also worked his magic with English-language stars, including Lara Fabian, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men, crossing their hits over to Spanish-speaking and international audiences. One of his latest projects was co-writing and producing Ozomatli’s latest album, Don’t Mess with the Dragon.

Rafa Sardina – Sardina, a Los Angeles based, ten-time Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer has built an eclectic and impressive client list in the recent years: Macy Gray, Stevie Wonder, Dr Dre, Dru Hill, Jessy Moss, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Soul Coughing, Marc Antoine, Angie Stone and Alejandro Sanz, among others. He has worked with numerous high-profile artists and producers, including Dr Dre, Camara Kambon, Lulu Perez, Babyface, Scott Litt and David Foster. Most recently, Sardina has launched a production company focusing on developing new talent in his state-of-the art studio, open since 2006.

Mark Portman - This Los Angeles-based, Grammy Award-nominated producer/songwriter/musician has worked on over 130 albums, several movies and TV shows. His roster of Latin stars includes Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz, Jaci Velasquez, Cristian Castro, Luis Fonsi, Olga Tanon, Pedro Fernandez, Reik, Ednita Nazario, and Los Temerarios. He has collaborated and worked with renowned producers including David Foster, Phil Ramone, Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley and Latin producer Rudy Perez. Among his other roster of superstars are Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager, Blackstreet, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Brenda Russell, Dave Koz and others.

Sebastian Krys - Based in South Florida, this multiple Grammy Award-winning producer has over 20 top ten Billboard Latin Hits, including 9 No. 1 singles and albums. Krys has worked with artists including Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Sandy & Junior, Shakira, Mana, JD Natasha, Jeremias, Long Beach Dub All Stars w/Black Eyed Peas, Aterciopelados, Ricky Martin, Will Smith, Obie Bermudez, Gian Marco, Luis Fonsi, Gloria Estefan, Soraya, Mandy Moore, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

Homero Patrón – This Grammy Award-winning musician, director and composer has worked with artists such as José José, Emmanuel, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Rocío Durcal, Ray Conniff, Barry White, Tom Jones, Nana Moskoury, Raphael, Nelson Ned, Juan Gabriel, Manoella Torres, Vicky Carr, Gualberto Castro, Angélica María, César Costa, Alberto Vazquez, Charles Aznavour, and Jose Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” to name just a few. Patrón has also produced albums for such superstars as Juan Gabriel, Lucha Villa, Javier Solís, Angeles Ochoa, Ana Gabriel, Yuri, Pedro Fernandez, Vicky Carr, Olga Tañon, Vicente and Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Lucero, Alicia Villarreal, Pablo Montero, Ana Bárbara, Laura Flores, Nana Mouskouri and Marco Antonio Solís.

Kiko Cibrian - Multi-talented producer, musician and vocal producer who has worked with Luis Miguel, Christian Castro, and up-and-coming artists Innis, Jesse & Joy, Patricia Manterola, Souljahz, and Frankie J, Reik, along with projects such at Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of 1997, Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of Pop 1996, along with the Sinatra Duets.

Marco Flores - Flores has produced and written over 400 songs, four of which placed number one on Billboard's charts in the same year (2000), and has achieved an impressive 14 platinum albums and 22 gold albums. His roster includes works with Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Selena, Barrio Boyzz, Donna Summer, Toni Braxton, Bonnie Raitt, Thalia, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Ponce, Jordi, Ricky Martin, Jose Feliciano, and many more.

BMI staged its 55th Annual Pop Awards on May 15, honoring the Bee Gees as Pop Icons; Kara DioGuardi and Sean Garrett as Songwriters of the Year; “Because of You” as Song of the Year; and Warner/Chappell Music as Publisher of the Year. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President/General Manager, Los Angeles, Barbara Cane and held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, the black-tie, invitation-only dinner recognized the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most performed pop songs from BMI’s catalog of more than 6.5 million compositions.

BMI Pop Awards Song List

A highlight of the ceremony was the musical tribute to legendary singing trio the Bee Gees. The brothers Gibb were honored as BMI Icons for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Accepting the awards were Barry and Robin Gibb, and Yvonne Gibb, wife of the late Maurice Gibb. The tribute saw American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee perform “Immortality,” Bebe Winans singing a medley of “Nights on Broadway” and “How Deep Is Your Love” and Kelly Rowland performing “Emotion.” The musical partnership of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb has produced some of the most timeless songs ever written, including “Night Fever,” “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” “Staying Alive,” “I Started a Joke,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Jive Talkin,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “Run To Me.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees signature three-part harmony has endured for more than four decades, and with this award they join an elite list of previous BMI Icons that includes Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Dolly Parton and Carlos Santana.

Kara DioGuardi and Sean Garrett tied for the coveted BMI Songwriter of the Year title, placing three songs each in the most performed list of 50. The trio of tracks earning DioGuardi her first Songwriter of the Year Crystal includes “Real Thing” (Bo Bice),“Walk Away” (Kelly Clarkson) and “I’m Feeling You” (Santana featuring The Wreckers). Tonight marked her seventh BMI award; she received a BMI Latin Award in March. Garrett picked up his first Pop Songwriter of the Year Crystal for penning “Run It!” (Chris Brown), “Check On It” (Beyoncé featuring Slim Thug) and “Grillz” (Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp). Garrett now holds 12 BMI Awards in both the Pop and Urban categories, including being named one of the BMI Top 10 Urban Producers at last year’s honors.

“Because of You,” co-written by BMI songwriters Ben Moody and David Hodges, along with Kelly Clarkson, and published by 12:06 Publishing, Smellslikemetal Publishing, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. and Dwight Frye Music, Inc., was named BMI Pop Song of the Year for scoring the most airplay of any song on the most-performed list during the award period. “Because of You” earned the trio a huge top ten Billboard Hot 100 hit and the #1 spot on Top 40 radio, where it spent six weeks at the peak position, and was included on Clarkson’s second release, Breakaway.

Warner/Chappell Music (Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. & Unichappell Music, Inc) claimed its BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize with 11 songs on the top 50 list and the highest percentage of copyright ownership of this year’s awards. Warner/Chappell Music CEO Dave Johnson accepted the company’s 13th BMI Pop Publisher of the Year Crystal.

BMI also recognized the performance achievements of two other songs: “Miss Murder,” which earned Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for AFI’s Hunter Burgan, Adam Carson, Davey Havok, Jade Puget and Ex Noctem Nacimur Music (publishers); and “You’re Beautiful,” BMI’s Internet Song of the Year award for songwriters James Blunt (PRS), Amanda Ghost (PRS), Sacha Skarbek (PRS), and David Platz Music, Inc., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc., for tallying the most hits on BMI-licensed web sites during the award period.

Taking home two BMI Pop Awards each were Fall Out Boy’s Andrew Hurley, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Pete Wentz; Mariah Carey; Ne-Yo; and Nickelback members Daniel Adair, Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger and Ryan Peake (all SOCAN). Publishing companies EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing (Irving Music/Songs of Universal, Inc./Universal-Songs of Polygram International, Inc.), BMG Music Group (Killer Tracks/Zomba Songs), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, K’Stuff Publishing, Chicago X Softcore Songs, Rye Songs, and Super Sayin’ Publishing were each cited for multiple award-winning songs.

The BMI Foundation’s 10th Annual John Lennon Scholarship was presented to 21-year-old Berklee College of Music student Emily Shackelton. A native of Northern Minnesota, she was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for her song “Goodbye” by the Foundation. Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation and matched by generous donations from Gibson Musical Instruments, the John Lennon Scholarship program recognizes the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24.

High-resolution photos will be available on May 16 at press.bmi.com. To request access, please contact mediarelations@bmi.com.

S O S
Evan Bogart
Edward Cobb
Jonathan "JR" Rotem
Embassy Music Corporation
Here's Lookin' At You Kidd Music
Jonathan Rotem Music
Reach Global Songs
Southside Independent Music Publishing LLC
Rihanna
SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG

SAVIN' ME
Daniel Adair (SOCAN)
Chad Kroeger (SOCAN)
Mike Kroeger (SOCAN)
Ryan Peake (SOCAN)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Nickelback
Roadrunner/IDJMG Records

SHAKE IT OFF
Mariah Carey
Rye Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Mariah Carey
Island Records

SHE SAYS
Howie Day
HKD Music
Howie Day
Epic Records

SO SICK
Ne-Yo
Super Sayin' Publishing
Zomba Songs
Ne-Yo
Def Jam/IDJMG

SOUL SURVIVOR
Young Jeezy
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Young Jeezy Music
Young Jeezy featuring Akon
Corporate Thugs/Def Jam Records

STICKWITU
Franne Golde
Kasia Livingston
Robert Palmer
Franne Gee Music
Myia’s Koala Bear Music Publishing
Notting Hill Music, Inc.
Parchi Music
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Pussycat Dolls
A & M Records

SUGAR (GIMME SOME)
David Byrne
Trick Daddy
First and Gold Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Trick Daddy featuring Ludacris & Cee-Lo
Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic

SUGAR, WE'RE GOIN' DOWN
Andrew Hurley
Patrick Stump
Joe Trohman
Pete Wentz
Chicago X Softcore Songs
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Fall Out Boy
IDJMG/Fueled By Ramen/Island

TALK
Karl Bartos (GEMA)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Coldplay
Capitol Music Group

UNFAITHFUL
Ne-Yo
Super Sayin' Publishing
Zomba Songs
Rihanna
SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG

UNWRITTEN
Natasha Bedingfield (PRS)
Danielle Brisebois
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Gator Baby
Natasha Bedingfield
Epic Records

WALK AWAY
Kara DioGuardi
K'Stuff Publishing
Kelly Clarkson
RCA/RMG

WHAT HURTS THE MOST
Jeffrey Steele
Gottahaveable Music
Songs of Windswept Pacific
Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street

WHEN THE STARS GO BLUE
Ryan Adams
Barland Music
Tim McGraw
Curb Records

WHERE'D YOU GO
Mike Shinoda
Kenji Kobayashi Music
Zomba Songs
Fort Minor featuring Holly Brook & Jonah Matranga
Machine Shop/WB

YOU AND ME (2nd Award)
Jude Cole
Jason Wade
Dimensional Songs of the Knoll
G-Chills Music
Jude Cole Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Lifehouse
Geffen Records

YOU 'RE BEAUTIFUL
James Blunt (PRS)
Amanda Ghost (PRS)
Sacha Skarbek
David Platz Music, Inc.
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
James Blunt
Atlantic Records

YOUR BODY
Bigg D
Marcus "Pleasure" Cooper
Jim Jonsin
Corey "Slick' Em" Mathis
Diamond "Baby Blue" Smith
Joseph "Blue" Smith
Spectacular Smith
Black Boy Hatchet Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Pretty Ricky
Atlantic Records

BMI’s Byron Wright, Heist, DJ Toomp and BMI’s Catherine Brewton

The 30 attendees participated in a Q&A moderated by BMI’s Byron Wright and toured the studio, while DJ Toomp, who is currently working on Kanye West and Mariah Carey’s next projects, spoke about topics ranging from how he got started in the business to what his preferred production tools are. The 10 selected producers were each able play one of their tracks and get feedback and tips from DJ Toomp.

BMI’s Byron Wright, BMI’s Catherine Brewton, DJ Toomp, Tree Sound’s Mali and Owner of Tree Sound, Paul Diaz

Up-and-coming producer Heist drove down from Baltimore to be a part of the event. Jazze Pha, Mannie Fresh and Rodney Jerkins, all whom have lent their support to the Producer Power Workshop, are possible participants in the next installment.

DJ Toomp

Chad Warrix (left) and D-Tox (right) of Halfway to Hazard perform a spirited set that showcased the duo’s winning chemistry.

Chad Warrix of Halfway to Hazard belts out one of the duo's tunes. Halfway to Hazard are currently recording their debut album for Mercury.

2006 BMI Songwriter of the Year Vicky McGehee ("All Jacked Up"), singer-songwriter Sherrié Austin ("Lucky in Love"), Curb recording artist Lee Brice, up-and-coming artist Mitzi Dawn, MCA recording artist and songwriter Randy Houser ("Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"), hit songwriter Tim James ("My List"), r&b producer and songwriter Ben Margulies (Mariah Carey's "Someday"), hit songwriters Kendell Marvel ("Right Where I Need to Be") and James Slater ("In My Daughter's Eyes"), singer-songwriter Kylie Sackley ("Nothin' Bout Love Makes Sense"), songwriter and producer Keith Stegall ( "Dallas"), and Mercury recording artists and songwriting team D-Tox and Chad Warrix were thrown together for three nights of shows, camaraderie and re-charging.

Chad Warrix, Lee Brice and Ben Margulies don't need drums.

Kylie Sackley is all smiles as she performs an acoustic set with Lee Brice.

Veteran hit songwriter and longtime Alan Jackson producer Keith Stegall (middle) wows the audience and his fellow performers Sherrié Austin (left) and Ben Margulies (right).

Sherrié Austin performed soon after the group arrived in Nassau.

The whole group gets together for a shot. Pictured are (l to r): First Row: Curb recording artist Lee Brice with BMI's Mark Mason; Second Row: one half of duo Halfway to Hazard D-Tox, singer-songwriter Sherrié Austin, r&b producer & hit songwriter Ben Margulies, BMI's Mary Loving, and RPM Management's Ryan Cook; Third Row: hit songwriters Kendell Marvel and James Slater, Travis Television's Greg Travis, Halfway to Hazard member Chad Warrix, hit songwriter Kylie Sackley, hit songwriter and producer Keith Stegall, GAC's Storme Warren, songwriters Mitzi Dawn and Tim James, and BMI's Bradley Collins.

Photos by Jonathan Sims

Sherrié Austin	Lee Brice	Randy Houser

"There's something about uprooting every once and a while-jumping into a different environment-that stirs creativity," says BMI's Mark Mason. "Whether it's the idea, the melody or an actual line, hit songs are born during this festival."

Kendell Marvel	Vicky McGehee	Kylie Sackley

The attendees will perform three shows: Friday, Nov. 10 at the Hard Rock Café Nassau, starting at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 11 at Dicky Mo's Cable Beach, starting at 8 p.m.; and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, the festival concludes with the Crystal Palace Pool Party. Tickets will be available at the door of each venue.

James Slater	Keith Stegall

Additional event sponsors include festival host Cable Beach Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, American Airlines, Blue Sky Real Estate, Stella Artois, Nygard Cay Resort, Junkanoo Rum, Country Music Across America, the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Caldwell Travel, Dicky Mo's, the Hard Rock Café Nassau and Bahamas Experience Transportation.]]> 2006-10-19T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/335017 Carey, Mariah, Lavie, Lisa, Urban, Hitmaker Please excuse Lisa Lavie if she’s not used to being the center of attention. In 2002 she was running Harmony Karaoke in her native Montreal, enjoying singing and giving the occasional thought to what she wanted to do with her life.

Fast-forward to 2006, and she’s in the midst of putting the finishing touches on her debut album produced by Ben Margulies — the man behind the now-famous five-song demo that a fledgling artist named Mariah Carey was hawking in the 1980s.

In a neat twist of serendipity, Lavie says Carey is her all-time favorite act. “From when I was 10 to, like, 17, I refused to listen to anybody but her,” she enthuses.

The connection between Lavie and Margulies also came from a demo, which eventually made it into Margulies’s hands. As a result, “I had her sing to me on a cell phone from a mall in Canada,” he says, “and I heard something really special in her voice. I’ve worked with a lot of great singers, and Lisa’s got everything it takes to be a superstar.”

Lavie soon relocated to Margulies’s Santa Barbara studio and began working on the album, which has now been gestating for four years. “It does feel like forever,” she laughs, “but I’m really happy it didn’t come out before now. I’ve evolved so much as a songwriter, as well as a singer.”

The first completed song, “If I Only Knew,” appears on the soundtrack for the movie Stick It, and can be heard on her website, www.lisalavie.com. Lavie says they’re now down to final mixes and then deciding on whether to release it via an independent or a major label; ultimately she expects the disc to be out by spring 2007 at the latest.

“Everyone that’s heard it thinks it’s something pretty special,” she says, adding with a laugh, “I’m starting to believe it, too.”

Mariah Carey	Kanye West

2006 BMI Urban Producer of the Year Kanye West took home Top Rap Album for Late Registration and also won Hot Rap Track for "Gold Digger" featuring Jamie Foxx. Foxx himself took home Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist in the male category, while Young Jeezy won the same award as a new artist.

Jamie Foxx	Young Jeezy

Rap pioneers Public Enemy received the 2006 Hip-Hop Founders Award in recognition of their long-standing influence on hip-hop.

The awards ceremony took place during the 7th Annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Conference, the premiere event for the industry's who's who to network, share knowledge and discover new talent.

BMI's 2006 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Award recipients:

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album
Mariah Carey
The Emancipation of Mimi

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist
Mariah Carey

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist - Male
Jamie Foxx

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist - Female
Mariah Carey

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist - New
Young Jeezy

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist
Mariah Carey

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist
Mariah Carey

Top Rap Album
Kanye West
Late Registration

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Sales
Busta Rhymes -- featured artist
"Don't Cha"

Hot Rap Track
Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
"Gold Digger"
]]> 2006-09-13T05:00:00-05:00