BMI Honours Top European Songwriters and Publishers at Annual London Awards; Steve Winwood Crowned BMI Icon

BMI Honours Top European Songwriters and Publishers at Annual London Awards; Steve Winwood Crowned BMI Icon

LONDON, November 29/PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

American performing rights organisation Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI)
saluted the top European songwriters at its 2005 London Awards at London's
Dorchester Hotel. The black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony honoured the
songwriters, composers and publishers of the most performed songs on US
radio and television in the past year.

For a complete list of the 2005 BMI London Awards winners,
please visit bmi.com/london. High-resolution photos from the event will be
available to registered users only at press.bmi.com. To request use please
email mediarelations@bmi.com.

A highlight of the evening was the BMI Icon presentation to legendary
songwriter and recording artist Steve Winwood. Winwood was honoured for his
"enduring influence on generations of music makers," spanning his 40-plus
year career as both a solo artist and as a member of the Spencer Davis Group,
Traffic and Blind Faith. Among his many song-writing credits are "Gimme Some
Lovin'" "Can't Find My Way Home" "While You See a Chance" "Valerie" "Back
In The High Life" amongst many others.

"It's My Life" written by Mark Hollis (PRS) and published by Universal
Music Publishing Ltd., was named Song of the Year and received the
organisation's highest accolade. Hollis was a member of the 80s synthpop band
Talk Talk who first recorded the song, and the No Doubt remake earned it the
award.

"Run" written by Snow Patrol members Iain Archer, Nathan
Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Jonny Quinn, was named BMI's
College Song of the Year for tallying the most performances on American
college radio.

The BMI Dance Award went to "Listen to Your Heart" written by
Per Gessle and Mats Persson. Recorded by Belgium-based duo D.H.T., the song
is a remake of the 1989 #1 hit by Roxette, (Per Gessler and Marie
Fredriksson, who were present to receive the award.) It was the first public
appearance by Marie since she made a recent recovery from brain cancer.

Million-Air certificates were also presented throughout the evening in
recognition of those songs that have had two million or more US radio and
television performances. Topping the list were Sting's "Every Breath You
Take" which reached the eight million performance plateau and the Van
Morrison classic "Brown Eyed Girl" which won a seven million performance
award. Other recipients included the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, the Bee
Gees, Sir Elton John (PRS) and Bernie Taupin.

Now marking its 65th year in business, Broadcast Music Inc. is
an American performing right organisation that represents more than 300,000
songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. With a
repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the world, the
non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from businesses that use
music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and
copyright owners it represents.

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the
PA Photowire. It can be viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or
www.prnewswire.co.uk

Source: BMI Broadcast Music, Inc.

Hanna Pantle, BMI, +1-310-289-6328, hpantle@bmi.com, London office, +44-207-486-2036. Chris Poole, CP PR Ltd., BMI London, +44-207-486-2036; Mobile: +44-7720-446083, seapoole@ukonline.co.uk

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