Tony Moore, LaToya Jackson and David Stark

Donovan becomes a BMI Icon

Donovan with Big Jim Sullivan and David Stark

Chris Squire and David Stark

US rights organization BMI honoured some of the UK and Europe's top songwriters, composers and music publishers at its annual BMI London Awards on October 6th. The ceremony was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant; BMI Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Phil Graham; and Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Europe & Asia Brandon Bakshi. Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocket Full of Sunshine" earned the prestigious Robert S. Musel Award for Song of the Year as well as BMI's College Song of the Year. The song was co-written by Bedingfield and Danielle Brisebois and published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd.  The BMI Dance Award went to "Cry for You," recorded by Sweden's latest in-demand export September, co-written by Anoo Bhagavan (STIM) and Niclas von der Burg (STIM) and published by EMI Music Publishing Scandinavia AB (STIM).

In addition to saluting numerous UK songwriters, composers and music publishers alongside music creators from Europe, India and other international markets, BMI also named Donovan a BMI Icon, and the folk legend  performed two songs live at the end of the ceremony, which can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/starkyboy

The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters who have bestowed "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." Donovan joins an elite list of past honorees that includes multi-genre nobility Bryan Ferry, Peter Gabriel, Ray Davies, Van Morrison, Steve Winwood and many more.

Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 400,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI reported $905 million for its 2009 fiscal year in performing right collections. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for 70 years. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

-- David Stark, Editor/Publisher
SongLink Int'l / Cuesheet
London - LA - Munich
http://www.songlink.com
http://www.cuesheet.net

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