BMI Out and About

Cheer Up Charlie Daniels Win Road to Bonnaroo Round Two
Fans were out in full force for the second installment of BMI’s 2011 Road to Bonnaroo competition, held at Mercy Lounge on March 21. Cheer Up Charlie Daniels proved victorious, narrowly edging out the other competing bands: Leroy Powell, Big Surr, Born Empty, Keegan Dewitt, Brandon Jazz and His Armed Forces, the Pink Spiders, and the Captain Midnight Band. The contest is staged during designated nights of BMI’s free 8 off 8th showcase, as eight Nashville artists square off in back-to-back rapid-fire sets. A combination of industry judges and audience votes determine each night’s winner, who earns one of three slots at the 2011 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in June. The final 2011 Road to Bonnaroo date is April 18.

(L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, Thomas Cain, and Clay Bradley; Road to Bonnaroo round two winners Cheer Up Charlie Daniels; and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Drew Maynard

BMI Buzz Highlights Four Up-and-Comers
BMI and venue partner the Basement featured Russell Dickerson, Jon Troast, Kree Harrison, and Ella Mae Bowen, who made her Nashville debut, at BMI Buzz on March 24. The quarterly showcase allows up-and-comers to show off their songwriting chops to industry heavyweights with intimate, acoustic performances.

(L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins and Beth Laird, Russell Dickerson, Ella Mae Bowen, Kree Harrison, Jon Troast, and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Drew Maynard

BMI Hosts Discussion with FCC Commissioner McDowell and Congresswoman Blackburn
BMI hosted a Town Hall meeting at its Music Row office on Tuesday, March 29, during which FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell and Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn spoke about intellectual property, net neutrality, and the ever-changing landscape of technology—and how it all affects performing rights. The two then fielded questions from broadcasters, songwriters, publishers, and others.

(L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Nada Latto, and Mason Hunter; FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell; Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn; and BMI’s Fred Cannon, Jody Williams, and Bruce Esworthy. Photo: Drew Maynard