Recent Washington, D.C. News
Copyright Alliance Expo Spotlights Economic Impact

The Copyright Alliance hosted its third annual EXPOnential on November 17 on Capitol Hill, showcasing the new products and economic benefits of America’s copyright industries. This year’s event, “Live from Main Street: Copyright and the Local Economy,” provided a platform for artists, trade associations and companies to exhibit creative work and discuss the future of copyright and its impact on local economies. Attended by several prominent members of Congress, including House…
D.C. Arts & Humanities Commission Offers Unique Grant Opportunities

BMI has a long tradition of support for the arts, with a special focus on opportunities for generations of future creators. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities provides a number of unique opportunities for members of the Washington, D.C.-area creative community via its series of grant programs. Details on these programs and how to apply for the various grants are available the Commission’s website,
Joe Johnson Wins 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composer’s Competition

Bassist Joe Johnson was honored as the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composer’s Competition grand prize winner on Sunday, October 11 during the 22nd annual Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and all-star Gala Concert at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in Washington, D.C. The Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary Gala Concert attracted a jaw-dropping collection of Blue Note Records recording artists, past and present,…
Lamont Dozier to Perform at Smithsonian Showcase

The Smithsonian Associates and the Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW) are hunting for 12 fresh voices to perform as part of an anticipated showcase featuring legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier at the Smithsonian on Tuesday, October 27 in Washington, D.C. As one third of songwriting powerhouse Holland-Dozier-Holland, Lamont Dozier helped create the sonic fabric of a nation. Along with brothers Brian and
James Barnes Receives BMI Award for Excellence in Teaching Music Creation
Honor Bestowed During Inaugural MENC Teaching Music Awards The National Association for Music Education (MENC) honored a selection of the country’s hardest working music educators at the inaugural Teaching Music Awards on Monday, June 22. Staged during MENC’s Music Education Week in Washington, D.C., the ceremony was the fitting capstone of a week filled with discussion, development, and celebration of music education. On…
Copyright Summit’s Second Day Targets New Revenue Streams

CISAC's (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) second World Copyright Summit: New Frontiers for Creators in the Marketplace began the second day of the event on June 10, focusing on finding common ground and new revenue streams on which to build the future of creative industries. The day's activities opened with Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who outlined the importance of appropriate copyright protection…
Digital Era Creative Rights Spotlighted at World Copyright Summit

CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) kicked-off its second annual World Copyright Summit: New Frontiers for Creators in the Marketplace on June 9 in Washington, D.C. The two-day summit brings together creators, rights organizations and guilds, content service providers, broadcasters, telecommunications operators, hardware manufacturers, legal experts and policymakers to debate the future of copyright and the distribution of creative works in the digital era.
BMI Plans High-Level Presence at CISAC Copyright Summit

BMI will send a high-level delegation to the 2009 CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers) World Copyright Summit June 8-10, including President & CEO Del Bryant; Vice President, Landmark Digital Services David DeBusk; and legendary songwriter Lamont Dozier. The trio will join more than 500 delegates and rights experts from 18 countries at the Summit, which will be held at the…
Marcus Johnson: A Man with a Plan

To say that Marcus Johnson is a man with a plan is an understatement. After only a decade in the music business, he is, without question, a man with a realized business strategy. Johnson did not want to just be a musician; he wanted to become a successful one, and eventually, in his own words, a brand. On his MySpace page, a line summarizes his goal: “A…
Eighth Annual Jazz Appreciation Month Kicks Off In D.C.
April has once again been designated as Jazz Appreciation Month, and BMI is continuing its role as an anchor sponsor, as it has been since JAM’s inception eight years ago. The month-long celebration pays tribute to jazz as a true American art form and features a variety of activities, including performances, film and displays in venues in Washington, D.C. and around the globe. …
World Copyright Summit Slated for June 9-10 in Washington, DC

The 2009 World Copyright Summit will be staged June 9-10, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Centre in Washington, DC. Organized by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) and supported by Informa Telecoms & Media, the conference will explore contemporary creative industry issues spurred by the surge of the digital realm. BMI is one of ten U.S. member organizations in CISAC, which also includes the NMPA, the…
Symposium Focuses on Copyright Collections in the Digital Age
Songwriters’ and composers’ interests took center stage at the Library of Congress on October 27 to inform Capitol Hill staff and the policy community why strong champions of creators’ rights are needed in the Digital Age. A panel of academics, government officials, composers, and music industry representatives gathered for a Washington summit organized by The George Washington University Law School’s Intellectual Property Law Program and Creative and Innovative Economy Center.…
Second Annual Copyright Alliance Expo Spotlights Value, Benefits
The Second Annual Copyright Alliance Exponential was held Wednesday, Sept. 24. in the Russell Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., where artists and Copyright Alliance member organizations exhibited creative works and the latest developments in copyright protection, and outlined new information detailing how copyright benefits each state. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) was a special guest at the Expo, taking time out from a busy Capitol…
‘Grammys on the Hill’ Highlights Recording Arts Day
BMI partnered with the Recording Academy in presenting "Grammys on the Hill" at a gala ceremony held at the legendary Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., just steps from the White House. The agenda: recognize the contributions of members of Congress -- on both sides of the aisle -- who have championed the issues of America's songwriters, composers, recording artists and music professionals.
