Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” named song of the year, Irv Gotti nabbed songwriter of the year, and EMI-Blackwood Music Inc. was honored as publisher of the year during the 51st annual BMI Pop Awards on Tuesday night at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.
Additionally, Motown songwriting trio of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland were feted with the BMI Icon Award in recognition of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”
Backed by Motown’s ace studio musicians the Funk Brothers, vocalists Kim Weston, Brenda Holloway, Freda Payne, Bebe Winans and Mary Wilson performed Holland-Dozier-Holland nuggets, such as “Reach Out” and “Take Me In Your Arms,” for a black-tie audience that included Motown founder Berry Gordy and his “Money” co-writer Janie Bradford.
The performing rights organization’s annual gala salutes the past year’s 50 most-performed songs.
To earn the songwriter of the year nod, Gotti placed five titles on the most-performed list: “Always on Time,” “Foolish,” “I’m Real,” “Livin’ It Up” and “What’s Luv?”
EMI-Blackwood Music Inc. scored 16 songs on the most-performed list, including “Days Go By,” “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me),” “Hella Good,” “Hot in Herre,” “So Complicated,” “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” and “Thank You.”
Additionally, Linkin Park’s “In the End” was named the most-performed song on college radio.
A total of 16 songwriters were multiple winners: Ja Rule, Pharrell Williams and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger earned three wins each; double honorees included Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Wade Robson, Shakira, Mike Shinoda, Scott Stapp, Rob Thomas, Mark Tremonti, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Ryan Vikedal.