Adam Llami delivers a spirited performance.

About 8 off 8th
BMI proudly presents "8 off 8th," the free weekly showcase held 9 p.m. every Monday at Nashville music venue Mercy Lounge (1 Cannery Row off 8th Avenue South). Whether it's launching fledging acts fresh out of the garage or showcasing the latest buzz bands, 8 off 8th's rapid-fire three-song sets satisfy audiences chasing the next big thing.

Ashley Monroe performs a crowd-shushing set.

Luke Dick (center) performs with his band.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Beth Mason, John Bruton and singer/songwriter Tami Hinesh.

Claire Guerreso (center) won over the crowd with her fiery delivery.

Erick Baker (center) impressed the audience with his stirring performance.

Pictured are (l to r): Erick Baker band member Erin Archer, BMI's David Preston, AC Entertainment's Ashley Capps, Erick Baker and BMI's Beth Mason.

Donato Poveda (right) and Randy Singer (left)

The evening featured acoustic performances by award-winning songwriters including Sergio George, Donato Poveda, Randy Barlow, Nicolas Tovar, Juan Carlos Perez-Soto, Joel Someillan, Archie Pena, Jean Rodriguez and Alih Jey. The songwriters also discussed how they wrote some of their most successful and meaningful songs and the music business behind their hits.

Also performing were rising singer/songwriters Jacob Jeffries, Vic Kingsley, Manolo Alayeto and Ricky Melendez.

(left to right) Claribel Cuevas (Creative Director, Sony/ATV Music Publishing); songwriter Donato Poveda, songwriter Jacob Jeffries, songwriters Claudia Sarmiento and Martika Chavarria from the duo Tronica; BMI’s Jake Cavazos, songwriter Alih Jey, and songwriter Alicastro

(left to right ) BMI’s Jake Cavazos; songwriters Sergio George and Jean Rodriguez

(left to right) Songwriters Sergio George, Jorge Luis Piloto, Aimee Nuviola and Luis Enrique

(l to r) songwriters Randy Barlow, Elsten Torres and Nicolas Tovar

BMI’s Jake Cavazos (center) and some of BMI’s talented writers

Vic Kingsley performing during the “Hitmakers of Tomorrow” segment

Featuring:

Nate Campany

Kelley McRae

Declan Bennett

Joe Whyte

(Front row, L-R): Michael Bush, BMI’s Jean Banks, Jane Smulyan, Randy Klein, Kristin Maloney, Adam Matthias, Rick Freyer, Raymond Bokhour, Phoebe Kreutz, David Spencer, Robert Yarnall, Sara Wordsworth, Andrew Sherman; (Back Row)Jack Lechner, Andy Monroe, Robert Maggio, Diane Daltner, Nancy Golladay, Pat Cook, Doug Katsaros, Frank Evans, Dan Irsael, Ben H Winters, Robert Sislen, Chris Boal

The evening began with composer Brad Alexander and book writer/lyricist Adam Mathias’s See Rock City & Other Destinations, winner of the 2008 Richard Rodgers Award and 2007 BMI Foundation Jerry Bock Award. Anthony Rapp (Rent) and Jill Abramovitz (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me) performed two songs from the show, followed by Jenifer Foote, currently in the Broadway revival of a Chorus Line, who performed the title song from BMI Foundation Harrington Award-winning writer Stephen Sislen and Ben H. Winters’ Room 16.

Pat Cook presents retirement award to Advanced Class moderator Richard Engquist.

The showcase continued with selections from The Dirty Hippie Jam Band Project, with a performances from Sandie Rosa and Bret Carr; Pleasantville, an adaptation from the film of the same title; The Kid, based on the book by Village Voice columnist Dan Savage; The Thing About Joe, with a performance of “Some Girls” by Kevin B. McGlynn; Shall We Dance, featuring an ensemble performance of “He Needs Me”; Drive, created by composer/lyricist Andy Monroe; China Doll Overdrive, with a performance from Workshop composer Adam Overett and Mick Bleyer; My Blue Heaven, created by composer Andy Karl and lyricist Diane Daltner; National Geographic, spawned from author Chris Boal and Grammy Award-winning composer Andrew Sherman; and The Suicide, with a performance of “Hold the Pity Pudding.”

Anthony Rapp performs “See Rock City”.

Pat Cook, artistic coordinator of the Workshop, presented an award to Richard Engquist on his retirement as the moderator of the Advanced Workshop. Engquist has been moderating the Second Year and Advanced classes for 25 years.

The finale of the showcase featured Anthony Rapp, star of the original cast of Rent, singing the title song from the BMI Foundation Jerry Bock Award-winning musical See Rock City.

Writers previously showcased include Best Musical Tony winners Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Avenue Q); Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Edward Kleban (A Chorus Line); triple Tony Award winner Maury Yeston, (Nine, Titanic, Grand Hotel); eight-time Oscar-winner and nine-time Grammy-winner Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors); Drama Desk winner Carol Hall (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas); Tony Award recipients Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Seussical); Tony and Grammy winners Judd Woldin and Robert Brittan (Raisin); Tony nominees Michael Korie and Scott Frankel (Grey Gardens; and Tony nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz (Urban Cowboy).

BMI hosted an intimate brunch on June 22 in celebration of Black Music Month during the BET Awards Weekend. Attendees mingled with actress Regina King, rapper Rick Ross, producer/songwriter/Interscope recording artist Sean Garrett, producer/songwriter/rapper Jazzy Pha, rapper Nas and many others. Hosted by BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta Catherine Brewton, the invitation-only reception at Murano Restaurant & Lounge in West Hollywood was sponsored by Moët & Chandon Champagne and Hennessy.

Regina King; Sean Garrett; BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta Catherine Brewton; BMI Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, Barbara Cane; and BMI Director, Writer/Publisher Relations New York, Wardell Malloy. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)

Jazzy Pha; BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta Catherine Brewton; Nas; and Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon, Consumer Development Manager, Dalicia Ramey (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)

President, Czar Management, Jimmy Henchman; BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta Catherine Brewton; and Rick Ross (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!!

The industry guest panel will be:

The Creative Director of Pop A&R for EMI Music Publishing who is looking for Top 40 and Crossover Top 40. Songs must have strong, unforgettable hooks.

The Senior Director of Film & TV music for Cherry Lane Music Publishing who is looking for "radio-ready" songs in all styles for placement in their film & TV projects. She is particularly interested in finding upbeat, happy songs.

An Independent Music Supervisor, who works with MTV, and is looking for "radio-ready" music, both instrumental and vocal, in all styles for placement in their shows and promos. Songs that will "turn a person's head" with a consistent, strong melodic line have the best chance for placement.

For more information, go to: SPONY

Sponsored by Big Tractor Music, the Country Music Association, Curb Music Publishing and Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc., the festival introduced music fans to songwriters behind the hits during two summer nights of sultry tunes, performed live in Nashville's signature in-the-round showcase style.

At the end of the Symposium, the guest artist panel selected works in two categories, Small Group Composition and Big Band Composition, to honor with Symposium New Music Awards. Michael LeBrun's "Jambo" won in the Small Group Composition competition, while Lars Moller took home the trophy in the Big Band Composition category for his original piece "Folk Song #1." LeBrun is a graduate of Northwestern University and performs and composes in the Chicago area, while Moller is presently composer-in-residence with the Danish Radio Big Band, as well as artistic director of the Copenhagen orchestra. Both LeBrun and Moller will receive $500 checks from the Center for Jazz Composition.

Jim McNeely launched the Symposium with a keynote address affirming the role of the jazz composer as a "most noble profession" and inspiring composers to "challenge listeners to put aside their preconceptions...offer them a chance to enter our world (and) hear something that they haven't heard before"; to "inspire listeners to feel something that they haven't felt before" and to "challenge performers to stretch; to reach a little deeper for something they haven't done before, and inspire them to a higher level of performance."

Clinics and presentations offered included the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop spearheaded by McNeely, the Center for Jazz Composition's "Michael Brecker Tribute Project" and the formal presentation of research papers. New music reading sessions highlighted works of 18 composers in three different categories: Big Band, Small Group and Student Compositions. A unique "Composer Poster Showcase" allowed almost two-dozen composers to present their music to attendees in an informal, one-on-one manner via the display of scores, analyses, and listening stations. Another highlight was Artistic Director Chuck Owen and his 17-piece band Jazz Surge, who performed the wide-ranging works of 18 competitively selected composers and master artists Holman & McNeely.

Each day was capped off with an evening concert presenting one of the guest artists' music. In addition to attracting the conference attendees, the shows drew an enthusiastic audience of central Florida jazz fans who were the appreciative beneficiaries of three nights of diverse and scintillating music.

In addition to the sponsorship by BMI, the Symposium was funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and was supported by WUSF-FM in Tampa.

To view pictures, clips and other highlights from the conference, visit centerforjazzcomp.arts.usf.edu.

The multimedia presentation will include music from the Beatles, video appearances by Phil Collins, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and video of George Harrison. Cost to attend is $50 for members and $100 non-members. To purchase tickets, contact Marisela Huerta at 310-581-8731 or marisela.huerta@grammy.com.

In addition, the Grammy Foundation will honor Sir George Martin on Saturday, July 12 at the annual Starry Night Tribute Dinner and Concert, featuring America, Burt Bacharach, Jeff Beck, Natalie Cole, David Foster, Tom Jones, Michael McDonald and many more. To attend, contact Dana Tomarken at 310-392-3777.

The Belleville Outfit performs.

The band pauses for a photo with one of their biggest fans, BMI's Jody Williams. Pictured are (l to r): the Belleville Outfit's Jonathan Konya, Jeff Brown, Rob Teter, Connor Forsyth and Marshall Hood, with the band's Phoebe Hunt and BMI's Jody Williams in front.

Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Jody Williams, the Belleville Outfit's Jonathan Konya and Rob Teter, radio promoter Al Moss, Belleville Outfit's Jeff Brown, Nancy Fly Agency's Nancy Fly, Belleville Outfit's Phoebe Hunt, Connor Forsyth and Marshall Hood, with Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly.

Photos by Alan Mayor

Toby Keith smiles as he fields questions from the press at BMI. (Photo by John Russell)

Three-time BMI Songwriter of the Year Toby Keith remains one of the most successful musical entertainers of his time. With nearly 35 million albums sold, he has been deluged with critical praise and peer approval in the form of awards and he's consistently been one of the top-drawing live performers in the nation. His current hit single, "She's A Hottie," is featured as the only newly-produced track on his latest two-disc release, Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits, which compiles the smash hits spanning his career.

Local and national media outlets made themselves comfortable in BMI's conference room. (Photo by John Russell)

BMI's Jody Williams (left) presented a slew of Million-Air certificates to Toby Keith (right). (Photo by John Russell)

Pictured are (l to r): manager TK Kimbrell, CMT's Brian Phillips, Toby Keith, BMI's Jody Williams and Paradigm's Curt Motley. (Photo by Alan Mayor)

IFP Rough Cut Labs for Narrative & Documentary Features works with mentees to complete films prior to festival submission. They support low-budget, independently produced films in the rough assembly stage that can benefit from the mentorship of experienced film professionals.

The four-day program challenges filmmakers to realize the full potential of their footage and stories prior to industry exposure, providing a dynamic system of feedback and advice on technical, creative and post-production issues. The program is specifically geared towards assisting first-time feature filmmakers prior to their submissions to film festivals.

Conclave will take place June 26-June 29 at the Marriott City Center Hotel. Click here for more info.

Featuring:

Shwa

Jamie Rae

Huck

The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra

The evening also featured a competition to choose the winner of the BMI Foundation’s ninth annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, given to the writer of the best new work composed in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop. Composer Jeff Fairbanks won the competition for his song “Bi Bim Bop,” and received a cash award along with a $3,000 commission to compose a new piece for the following year’s concert. Last year’s Manny Albam Commission winner, Jose Bevia, premiered his commissioned work, “Abstractions.” The Commission is named in memory of the Workshop’s co-founder and longtime musical director.

Pictured (l-r): BMI Vice President, Corporate Communications and Marketing, Robbin Ahrold; saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom; composer Jim McNeely; Manny Albam Commission winner Jeff Fairbanks; and jazz authority Dan Morgenstern.

This year’s judges include noted jazz authority Dan Morgenstern; soprano saxophonist/composer and 2007 Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Jane Ira Bloom; and Latin jazz trombonist/composer Luis Bonilla, member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and sideman to musical greats such as Dizzy Gillespie.

The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop is led by internationally renowned composers Jim McNeely and offers a unique collaborative environment for professional jazz musicians with an emphasis on composition for the large jazz (big band) ensemble. The Workshop – a well-known forum for creative excellence – provides an environment where composers are free to explore new avenues in the creative process, while at the same time honing their skills. McNeely has performed with and written for Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Joe Henderson and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, among others; is a six-time Grammy Award nominee; and The New York Times has called his writing “exhilarating”.

7:30 p.m. Emma White (Baltimore, MD)
www.myspace.com/emmawhitesmusic
19 year-old Berklee College of Music student Emma White’s pop-savvy vocals and sugary groove ooze unabashed hope and undeniable promise.

8:00 p.m. Zachary Kale (Atlanta)
www.myspace.com/zacharykale
On his May 30 release Only Chance, blues-tinged singer/songwriter Zachary Kale infuses his moody pop with intense southern swagger.

8:50 p.m. Hightide Blues (Atlanta)
www.myspace.com/hightideblues
Reverent southern rockers Hightide Blues deliver radio-friendly tunes with charming bravado; the showcase will serve as the album release party for their second EP Love Come Easy, available June 21. The recent winners of 92.9 Dave FM’s Searcharoo contest, Hightide Blues also nabbed a Saturday slot at Bonnaroo on the Sonic Stage at noon.

9:50 p.m. Golden (Atlanta)
www.myspace.com/goldentheband
Golden offers breezy, jam-band spiced pop that prompted PerformerMag.com to happily dub the quintet’s sound “reminiscent of late 70’s era Steely Dan.”

10:45 p.m. Aslyn (Atlanta)
www.myspace.com/aslyn
Sultry pop chanteuse Aslyn recently released a comprehensive four EP set, dubbed The Grand Garden, and will offer a brand new album comprising more of her winsome compositions soon.

Location: BMI 320 W. 57th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY

Time: 6:30-8:00pm.

RSVP to rsvp@bmi.com (Space is limited!!)

A previous BET Award winner, 19-year old Chris Brown took home the Best Male R&B Artist honors, gospel juggernaut Marvin Sapp won the award for Best Gospel Artist, and Lil’ Wayne won the coveted Viewers’ Choice Award for his song “Lollipop.” R&B legend Al Green received the Lifetime Achievement award.