Performing rights organization BMI held its 55th Annual Pop Awards tonight (May 15), honoring such acts as the Bee Gees, Kara DioGuardi and Sean Garrett at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The ceremony recognized the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most performed pop songs, and was hosted by BMI president/CEO Del Bryant and BMI VP/GM for Los Angeles Barbara Cane.
The Bee Gees walked away as BMI’s 2007 pop icons, while DioGuardi and Garrett were honored as songwriters of the year. Warner/Chappell Music was named publisher of the year, and song of the year honors went to “Because of You,” co-written by BMI songwriters Ben Moody and David Hodges, along with Kelly Clarkson. It was published by 12:06 Publishing; Smellslikemetal Publishing; EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.; and Dwight Frye Music, Inc.
The Gibb brothers were honored as BMI Icons for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers,” according to a statement. Accepting the awards were Barry and Robin Gibb, along with Yvonne Gibb, wife of the late Maurice Gibb. The tribute included performances by Katharine McPhee, Bebe Winans and Kelly Rowland.
DioGuardi and Garrett tied for songwriter of the year, with three songs each in the most performed list of 50. DioGuardi picked up the honor for tracks “Real Thing” (Bo Bice), “Walk Away” (Kelly Clarkson) and “I’m Feeling You” (Santana featuring the Wreckers). This is DioGuardi’s seventh BMI award, and her first for songwriter of the year. Garrett picked up his first pop songwriter of the year nod for penning “Run It!” (Chris Brown), “Check On It” (Beyonce featuring Slim Thug) and “Grillz” (Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp). Garrett now holds 12 BMI awards.
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 tally, and the highest percentage of copyright ownership of this year’s awards. It was the company’s 13th BMI pop publisher of the year honor.
A complete list of winners can be found at bmi.com.
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