Bob DiPiero and Jeffrey Steele to Share Songwriting Secrets at Conclave Learning Conference
BMI songwriting superstars Bob DiPiero and Jeffrey Steele will share their secrets for creating hit songs at the 2007 Conclave Learning Conference on Thursday, June 28 in Minneapolis.
DiPiero and Steele will lead a session focusing on “The Making of a Hit” at the annual gathering for radio broadcasters. To be held at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center, June 27 – July 1, this year’s conference is titled “Radio Under Construction.”
BMI, an organization that represents thousands of songwriters, composers and music publishers, has regularly sponsored events at the Conclave to promote better understanding between the professions. “The Conclave is an excellent educational opportunity for radio industry professionals, and it’s appropriate that songwriters should be a part of that learning experience,” said Mike O’Neill, BMI Senior Vice President, Licensing.
An award-winning songwriter, Steele noted that, “While some of the songwriting process is inspiration, we writers rely on the skills we’ve developed through the years to bring us to that place where ‘the magic’ happens. Bob and I will talk about co-writing partnerships — the good and the bad of collaborating — and also share some stories about the unique combination of words, music and, of course, luck that made certain songs hits for us.”
As a songwriter, artist and producer, Jeffrey Steele is enjoying one of the hottest streaks in music. Named Songwriter of the Year by BMI (2003) and by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (2003, 2005-06), he was nominated for a 2007 Grammy Award for the crossover Rascal Flatts smash, “What Hurts the Most.” Among the more than 300 songs he’s had recorded in the past six years are the #1 singles “The Cowboy in Me” (Tim McGraw), “These Days” and “My Wish” (Rascal Flatts), “Something To Be Proud Of” (Montgomery Gentry) and “Brand New Girlfriend” (Steve Holy). Other highlights of his catalog — recognized by BMI for more than 25 million airplays — are the hit singles “Chrome,” “Hell Yeah,” “Help Somebody,” “Unbelievable” and “My Town.” Steele performs frequently around the country — solo and with his band — and has produced recent projects for Montgomery Gentry and Keith Anderson, among others.
With literally hundreds of songs recorded over the last 20 years, Bob DiPiero is one of Nashville’s most celebrated songwriters: 19 Top 10 hits, 13 of them number ones. He’s won 19 BMI Awards, including the 1995 Robert J. Burton Award for most-performed country song of the year for Neal McCoy’s “Wink.” He was named 1998’s Songwriter of the Year at the Nashville Music Awards and in both ‘95 and ‘96 he won CMA Triple Play (an award for having three number one songs in a 12-month period) for chartbusters including Faith Hill’s “Take Me As I Am,” Reba McEntire’s “Till You Love Me,” George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky, and Vince Gill’s “Worlds Apart.” He has also had songs recorded by pop artists including Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield and Jason and the Scorchers.
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