BMI Pop Awards Honor Crosby, Stills & Nash as Icons at 54th Annual Ceremony
Rockers Maroon 5 Share Songwriter of the Year Crown with Rapper Lil Jon and See 'She Will Be Loved' Named Song of the Year; EMI Music Repeats Publisher Win
BMI staged its 54th Annual Pop Awards on May 16, with top honors given to BMI Icons Crosby, Stills & Nash; Jesse Carmichael, Ryan Dusick, Adam Levine and Mickey Madden of Maroon 5 and Lil Jon as Songwriters of the Year; "She Will Be Loved" as Song of the Year; and EMI Music as Publisher of the Year. Hosted by BMI President/ CEO Del Bryant and Los Angeles VP/GM Barbara Cane at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the black-tie 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 Photo Slideshow |
| BMI Icon Tribute | |
| Crosby, Stills, & Nash Bio |
A highlight of the gala ceremony featured a musical tribute to legendary singing trio Crosby, Stills & Nash, who were honored as BMI Icons for their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, whose signature three-part harmony has endured for more than three decades, join an elite list of previous BMI Icons that includes Paul Simon, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Isaac Hayes, Dolly Parton and Carlos Santana.
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| Martin Bandier and his EMI Music Publishing team accept the publisher of the year award |
The musical partnership of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash has produced some of the most timeless rock songs ever written, including "Marrakesh Express," "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," "Helplessly Hoping," "Guinnevere," "Teach Your Children," "Wooden Ships," "Dark Star" and "Just a Song Before I Go." Called "the voice of an entire generation," CSN has just announced a summer reunion tour with Neil Young.
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| Maroon 5 | Lil Jon | Crosby, Stills & Nash |
Pop-rockers Maroon 5 were joined on stage by rapper Lil Jon to collect their BMI Songwriter of the Year Crystals for placing three songs each on the most performed list of 50. The trio of tracks earning Maroon 5 members Jesse Carmichael, Ryan Dusick, Adam Levine and Mickey Madden the prestigious title were "Sunday Morning," their two-time BMI Pop Award-winning smash, "This Love," and Song of the Year "She Will Be Loved."
Lil Jon picked up his third Songwriter of the Year win - he was both BMI's top Pop and Urban writer in 2005 - for penning "Lovers and Friends" (Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz featuring Usher & Ludacris), "Goodies" (Ciara featuring Petey Pablo) and "Salt Shaker" (Ying Yang Twins featuring Lil Jon), the latter two of which also made the list of top songs at the 2005 BMI Urban Awards. He was also honored at that ceremony as writer of the Song of the Year ("Yeah!"), as well as named one of BMI's Top 10 Urban Producers.
Included on Maroon 5's multi-platinum debut, Songs About Jane, "She Will Be Loved" 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. Co-written by the band's four BMI members, and published by Careers-BMG Music Publishing and February Twenty-Second Music, "She Will Be Loved" earned Maroon 5 their second Grammy this past February for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal; they were named Best New Artist the previous year.
EMI Music Publishing (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc./EMI-Hastings Catalog, Inc./Stone Diamond Music) claimed its second consecutive BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize with 18 songs on the top 50 list, giving the publishing giant the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. EMI Chairman & CEO Martin Bandier accepted the company's 11th BMI Pop Publisher Crystal.
In addition to the Song of the Year, BMI also recognized the performance achievements of two other songs: "Beverly Hills" earned Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriter Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and publisher E.O. Smith Music, and "1, 2 Step," written by BMI Top 10 Urban Producer Jazze Pha and published by Bubba Gee Music, Noontime Tunes and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., received BMI's very first Internet Song of the Year award by tallying the most hits on BMI-licensed web sites during the award period.
Three other songs besides "This Love" took home a second BMI Pop Award, including "Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys, which also won last year; D.H.T.'s version of "Listen to Your Heart," which earned a Pop Award in 1990 for the recording by Roxette; and the Hall & Oates remake of "I'll Be Around," which won a Pop Award in 1972 for the original Spinners hit written by Thom Bell and Phil Hurtt.
Songwriters Gavin DeGraw, Kara DioGuardi, George Pajon, Jr., will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, and Full Force members Paul Anthony, Baby Gerry, B-Fine, Bowlegged Lou, Curt-T-T and Shy Shy each scored two BMI Pop Awards, while publishers Careers-BMG Music Publishing/Zomba Songs, Cherry River Music Co., Dimensional Songs of the Knoll, El Cubano Music, Ensign Music LLC, February Twenty-Second Music, Forceful Music/Mokojumbi Music, G. DeGraw Music, Inc., K'Stuff Publishing, Songs of TVT, Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group (Songs of Universal, Inc./Irving Music), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Waters of Nazareth Publishing and will.i.am music, inc. were each cited for multiple award-winning songs.
Another of the ceremony's highlights included a special presentation to 21-year-old Catawba College student Dennis E. Reed, Jr., first place winner of the BMI Foundation's 9th Annual John Lennon Scholarship Awards. The Charlotte, North Carolina native, who got to share the stage with some of music's biggest stars, went home with a $10,000 scholarship for his song, "Out of Control." 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.
Below is the complete list of 2006 BMI Pop Music Awards winners:
1, 2 STEP (Internet Song of the Year)
Jazze Pha
Bubba Gee Music
Noontime Tunes
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Ciara featuring Missy Elliott
Sho'Nuff Records
1985
John Allen
Eastside Johnny No Ass Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Bowling For Soup
Silvertone/Jive/Zomba
ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE
David Bryson
Adam Duritz
David Immergluck
Matthew Malley
Daniel Vickrey
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Jones Falls Music
Songs of DWA
Counting Crows
Geffen Records
BEVERLY HILLS (College Song of the Year)
Rivers Cuomo
E. O. Smith Music
Weezer
Geffen Records
BREAKING THE HABIT
Chester Bennington
Rob Bourdon
Brad Delson
Dave Farrell
Joe Hahn
Mike Shinoda
Big Bad Mr. Hahn Music
Chesterchaz Publishing
Kenji Kobayashi Music
Nondisclosure Agreement Music
Pancakey Cakes Music
Rob Bourdon Music
Zomba Songs
Linkin Park
Warner Bros. Records
BROKEN
Shaun Morgan
Dale Stewart
Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
Seether Publishing
Seether featuring Amy Lee
Wind-Up Records
CHARIOT
Gavin DeGraw
G. DeGraw Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Gavin DeGraw
J Records
COLD
Ed Sloan
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Sugarstar Publishing
Crossfade
Columbia Records
COLLIDE
Howie Day
Kevin Griffin
HKD Music
Tentative Music, Inc.
Howie Day
Epic Records
DIP IT LOW
Teedra Moses
Paul Poli
Paul Poli Music
Ras-N-Taj Music
Christina Milian
Def Soul Records
DISCO INFERNO
Phillip Pitts aka "Bangout"
Songs of Universal, Inc.
50 Cent
Aftermath
DON'T CHA
Busta Rhymes
Cee-Lo Green
Sir Mix-A-Lot
Ensign Music LLC
Nottinghill Music, Inc.
Tziah Music
Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes
Interscope Records
DON'T PHUNK WITH MY HEART
Paul Anthony
Baby Gerry
Cleveland Bell IV
B-Fine
Bowlegged Lou
Curt-T-T
Indeewar (IPRS)
Victor May
George Pajon, Jr.
Printz Board
Anandji V. Shah (IPRS)
Kalyanji V. Shah (IPRS)
Shy-Shy
will.i.am
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
Cherry River Music Co.
El Cubano Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Forceful Music
Henstone Publishing
Musicworks
Printz Polar Publishing
Saregama Music, United States
Songs of Universal, Inc.
will.i.am music, inc.
Zomba Songs
Black Eyed Peas
Interscope Records
DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT
Chad Hugo
Snoop Dogg
Pharrell Williams
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
My Own Chit Publishing
Raynchaser Music
Waters of Nazareth Publishing
Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell
Star Trak/Geffen/Interscope Records
FEELIN' WAY TOO DAMN GOOD
Chad Kroeger (SOCAN)
Mike Kroeger (SOCAN)
Ryan Peake (SOCAN)
Ryan Vikedal (SOCAN)
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Nickelback
Roadrunner/IDJMG Records
GOODIES
Sean Garrett
Lil Jon
Craig D. Love
Zachary Wallace
C'Amore Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Ishmoot Music
Songs of TVT
Swizole Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Ciara featuring Petey Pablo
Sho'Nuff Records
HEAVEN (2nd Award)
Henry Garza
Jojo Garza
Ringo Garza
Either Or Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Garza Bros. Music
Los Lonely Boys
Epic Records
HOLLABACK GIRL
Pharrell Williams
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Waters of Nazareth Publishing
Gwen Stefani
Interscope Records
I DON'T WANT TO BE
Gavin DeGraw
G. DeGraw Music, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Gavin DeGraw
J Records
I'LL BE AROUND (2nd Award)
Thom Bell
Phil Hurtt
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Hall and Oates
DKE/U-WATCH
IN MY DAUGHTER'S EYES
James Slater
Dimensional Songs of the Knoll
Diversion Music
Martina McBride
RCA Records
LADY
Craig Ross
Wigged Music
Lenny Kravitz
Virgin Records
LEAN BACK
Fat Joe
Joey And Ryan Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Terror Squad
SRC/Universal Records
LEAVE (GET OUT)
Alex Cantrall
Kenneth Karlin
Soulshock
Phillip "Whitey" White
Alley Gadfly Music
Dimensional Songs of the Knoll
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Full of Soul Music
Soulvang Music
JoJo
Blackground/Universal
LET ME GO
Brad Arnold
Todd Harrell
Chris Henderson
Matt Roberts
Escatawpa Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
3 Doors Down
Republic/Universal Records
LET ME LOVE YOU
Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith
Bridge Apartments Music
Super Sayin' Publishing
Zomba Songs
Mario
3rd Street Records
LET'S GET IT STARTED
Apl.de.ap
Mike Fratantuno
Terence Yoshiaki Graves
George Pajon, Jr.
Taboo
will.i.am
Cherry River Music Co.
El Cubano Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Hisako Songs
Jeepney Music, Inc.
Nawasha Networks Publishing
Tuono Music
will.i.am music, inc.
Black Eyed Peas
A & M/Interscope Records
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART (2nd Award)
Per Gessle (STIM)
Mats Persson (STIM)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
D. H. T.
LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING
Tim Nichols
Nichols Worth Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Tim McGraw
Curb Records
LOSE MY BREATH
Sean Garrett
Fred Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Ensign Music LLC
Fred Jerkins Publishing
Rodney Jerkins Productions, Inc.
Destiny's Child
Columbia Records
LOVERS AND FRIENDS
Lil Jon
Michael Sterling
Irving Music
Persevere Publishing
Songs of TVT
Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz feat Usher & Ludaris
TVT Records
MOVE YA BODY
Paul Anthony
Baby Gerry
B-Fine
Bowlegged Lou
Curt-T-T
Shy-Shy
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
Mokojumbi Music
Zomba Songs
Nina Sky featuring Jabba
J Time/Next Plateau
MY HAPPY ENDING
Butch Walker
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sonotrock Music, Inc.
Avril Lavigne
Arista Records
MY PLACE
Randy Edelman
Kenneth Gamble
Leon Huff
Dorian (Doe) Moore
EMI-Hastings Catalog, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Nelly featuring Jaheim
Derrty/Fo Reel/Universal Records
OVERNIGHT CELEBRITY
Miri Ben-Ari
Michael Bennett
Kanye West
Lenny Williams
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
EMI-Stone Diamond Music Corporation
Len-Lon Music Publishing
Mirimode Music
Please Gimme My Publishing, Inc.
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Twista
Atlantic Records
PIECES OF ME
Kara DioGuardi
K'Stuff Publishing
Ashlee Simpson
Geffen Records
PON DE REPLAY
Alisha "M'Jestie" Brooks
Evan Rogers
Carl Sturken
AMP Group Publishing LLC
Bayjun Beat Music
Below Da Belt Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Rihanna
SRP/Def Jam/ID Jmg
RICH GIRL
Mark Batson
Jerry Bock
Kara DioGuardi
Sheldon M. Harnick
Bat Future Music
Jerry Bock Enterprises
K'Stuff Publishing
Mayerling Productions Ltd.
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Gwen Stefani featuring Eve
Interscope Records
SALT SHAKER
D-Roc (Ying Yang Twins)
Kaine (Ying Yang Twins)
Lil Jon
Collipark Music
Da Crippler Publishing
E W C Publishing Co.
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Songs of TVT
Ying Yang Twins featuring Lil Jon
Collipark/TVT Records
SHE WILL BE LOVED (Song of the Year)
Jesse Carmichael
Ryan Dusick
Adam Levine
Mickey Madden
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
February Twenty-Second Music
Maroon 5
Octone/J Records
SLOW MOTION
Juvenile
Breka Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Money Mack Music
Juvenile featuring Soulja Slim
Cash Money Records
SOLDIER
Sean Garrett
Rich Harrison
Dam Rich Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Destiny's Child
Columbia Records
SUNDAY MORNING
Jesse Carmichael
Ryan Dusick
Adam Levine
Mickey Madden
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
February Twenty-Second Music
Maroon 5
Octone/J Records
SUNSHINE
Carlos Hassan of The Synphony
Sandy Lal of The Synphony
Lil Flip
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
Carlos Hassan Publishing
Clover G Music
Reach Global Songs
Sandy Lal Music Publishing
Lil Flip featuring Leá
Sucka Free/Loud/Columbia Records
SWITCH
L. Bennett aka Kel Spencer
Kwamé
Irving Music
Kwamétheboygenius Music
Love-N-Loyalty Music
Will Smith
Interscope Records
THIS LOVE (2nd Award)
Jesse Carmichael
Ryan Dusick
Adam Levine
Mickey Madden
Careers-BMG Music Publishing
February Twenty-Second Music
Maroon 5
Octone/J Records
TRUE
Sheppard Solomon
Jumbo Boom Boom Publishing
Ryan Cabrera
Evla/Atlantic
TURN ME ON
Daron Jones
Kevin Lyttle
Raeon Primus (COTT)
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Kevin Lyttle
Atlantic Records
WE BELONG TOGETHER
Darnell Bristol
Mariah Carey
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Sid "Uncle Jamz" Johnson
Patrick L. Moten
Sandra Sully
Bobby Womack
ABKCO Music, Inc.
Ballads By Design Publishing
Hip Chic Music
Mister Johnson's Jams Music
Rye Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Mariah Carey
Island Records
YOU AND ME
Jude Cole
Jason Wade
Dimensional Songs of the Knoll
G-Chills Music
Jude Cole Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Lifehouse
Geffen Records
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