The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters who have bestowed “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Don Black joins a list of past honorees that includes Donovan, Kris Kristofferson, Bryan Ferry, Peter Gabriel, Ray Davies, Van Morrison, the Bee Gees, Dolly Parton, James Brown, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and more.

Don Black re-imagined the potential of music on stage, radio and in film. He wrote songs for motion pictures including The Italian Job, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, True Grit, Dances With Wolves, Out of Africa, and James Bond theme songs “Thunderball,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” “The Man with the Golden Gun,” “Surrender” from Tomorrow Never Dies and “The World is Not Enough.” His compositions “Ben” and “To Sir with Love” topped U.S. charts for Michael Jackson and Lulu, respectively, while his composition “Born Free” is an award-winning classic. The lyricist and sometime collaborator of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber also contributed Tony-winning words to Sunset Boulevard, as well as Song and Dance and Starlight Express. In addition to an Oscar for “Born Free,” two Tony Awards, six Ivor Novellos, a Golden Globe and many platinum, gold and silver records, he was awarded OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts by the City of London University. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Don Black in 2007.

BMI collects royalties for Don Black in the U.S. He is a member of British performing right society PRS for Music.

“On behalf of our songwriters, composers and music publishers, we will not allow this ruling to stand without an appeal,” said Del Bryant, BMI President & CEO. “Our writers and publishers should not be expected to lose more than half of their income from DMX based on the court’s erroneous holdings, which substantially reduce the value of their creative efforts.”

U.S. Performing Rights Organizations have a long history of negotiating performing right license agreements on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers with market leaders in the commercial background music service (CMS) industry, of which DMX is a part. The court noted in its decision that, except for DMX, nearly the entire CMS industry accepted the BMI form agreements. However, the court rejected these marketplace benchmark agreements and instead relied on a small number of direct licenses negotiated by DMX that set fees at a deeply discounted level. The court record contained substantial evidence that these direct licenses did not represent an appropriate BMI license fee.

The DMX direct-license agreements provided for a $25 annual per-location license fee (for both BMI and ASCAP music). The prevailing market rate before the court decision for both BMI and ASCAP music was more than $77 per location — more than three times the reduced value set by the court.

The appeal is expected to be taken up by the Court before the end of 2010.

"The Kennedy Center celebrates five individuals who have spent their lives enriching, inspiring and elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world," said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein."The honesty of Merle Haggard’s music and poetic lyrics has helped to shape the world of country music for nearly five decades.”

It is impossible to overstate Merle Haggard's place in the country music pantheon. A talent of mythic proportions, he is one America’s greatest songwriters. From “Mama Tried” to “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down,” “Ramblin’ Fever” to “Today I Started Loving You Again,” Haggard is the man in his songs, a reflection and creator of Americanism, and a true champion of the working man.

A two-time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, Haggard’s four decade career has earned him a total of 58 BMI Awards, including 48 Country Awards, nine Pop Awards and one R&B Award, as well as 10 ACM Awards, six CMA Awards, two Grammys, the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, an IBMA Award, and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

For more information and a complete list of honorees, visit kennedy-center.org.

$25,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs:

The grand prize winner will be offered a recording, publishing and full-label services joint-venture agreement with SongCircle Music distributed by EMI; $10,000; a Gibson “Songwriter Deluxe” guitar; a slot in one of SongCircle Music’s industry showcases; a performance on New York City’s Q104.3 “Out of the Box” show with DJ Jonathan Clarke; and a 10-hour recording session with Grammy-winning producer Glenn Barrett.

Capturing second place will result in a prize package that includes $3,000; a Martin LX guitar; and a slot in one of SongCircle Music’s industry showcases.

The third place winner will receive $1,500 and a slot in one of SongCircle Music’s industry showcases. Additional awards include the International Winner, who will receive $1,000 and Gibson “Songwriter Deluxe” guitar, as well as the Young Person Award, which will entitle the winner to $1,000; a recording session with producer Steve Greenwell; and rock camp sessions at the Gowanus Music Club in Brooklyn.

Finalists will be notified by November 5, when they will be invited to perform live before the panel of judges as part of the finals event, slated for November 18 and 19 in New York City. BMI is a proud sponsor of the 2010 SongCircle Music Songwriting Contest.

You must be a member of SongCircle Music to enter. Join now, and submit before the October 31 deadline.

Read the contest guidelines and find out more at SongCircleMusic.com.

Lady Antebellum earned five nods, including Entertainer; Album for Need You Now; Vocal Group; Single for "Need You Now"; and Music Video of the Year, also for "Need You Now.” BMI group members Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood also earned individual nominations as songwriters in the Song of the Year field for “Need You Now,” and will also vie for statuettes as the co-producers of the band’s album.

With four nods, the Zac Brown Band will also compete for Entertainer, as well as Vocal Group; Musical Event for "Can't You See" featuring Kid Rock; and New Artist of the Year. Blake Shelton also secured four nominations, including Male Vocalist; and Single (produced by BMI songwriter Scott Hendricks); Musical Event; and Music Video for the jocular "Hillbilly Bone."

Carrie Underwood, who will also serve as the ceremony’s co-host for the third consecutive year, earned two nominations: Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for Play On. Keith Urban will compete again in Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year fields, which he won in 2005 and in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively.

Newcomer Easton Corbin was tapped for his breakout success, earning a cross-section of nods typically reserved for both up-and-comers and established favorites. In addition to a New Artist nomination, Corbin received a Single of the Year nod for chart-topper "A Little More Country Than That." The singer/songwriter’s first single topped charts, making him the first country artist since Toby Keith to hit #1 with his or her debut song.

Taylor Swift will also vie for the Female Vocalist of the Year crown, as will Martina McBride. BMI songwriter Wynn Varble hopes to take home a trophy in the Song of the Year category thanks to co-writing Easton Corbin’s "A Little More Country Than That,” while BMI hit-maker Tom Douglas will compete in the same category for “The House That Built Me,” which he co-wrote. BMI co-writers Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Driskell Hopkins, and Shawn Mullins were also tapped in the Song of the Year field in recognition of “Toes.”

Slated for Wednesday, November 10 in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the 44th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live on ABC. Tickets for the ceremony will go on sale to the public September 18.

To learn more and for a complete list of nominees, visit www.cmaawards.com.

2010 CMA Awards
BMI Nominees

Entertainer of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Keith Urban
Zac Brown Band

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

Album of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
Need You Now
Lady Antebellum
Co-produced by Lady Antebellum
Capitol Records Nashville

Play On
Carrie Underwood
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville

Revolution
Miranda Lambert
Co-produced by Mike Wrucke
Columbia Nashville

Twang
Co-produced by Tony Brown
MCA Nashville

Up on the Ridge
Produced by Jon Randall Stewart
Capitol Records Nashville

Musical Event of the Year
(Award goes to each Artist)
"Bad Angel"
Featuring Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson
Capitol Records Nashville

"Can't You See"
Zac Brown Band featuring Kid Rock
Southern Ground/Atlantic Records

"Hillbilly Bone"
Blake Shelton
Reprise Records

New Artist of the Year
Luke Bryan
Easton Corbin
Jerrod Niemann
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
"A Little More Country Than That"
Easton Corbin
Produced by Carson Chamberlain
Mercury Nashville

"Hillbilly Bone"
Blake Shelton
Produced by Scott Hendricks
Reprise Records

"Need You Now"
Lady Antebellum
Co-produced by Lady Antebellum
Capitol Records Nashville

"The House That Built Me"
Miranda Lambert
Co-produced by Mike Wrucke
Columbia Nashville

"White Liar"
Miranda Lambert
Co-produced by Mike Wrucke
Columbia Nashville

Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
"A Little More Country Than That"
Co-written by Wynn Varble

"Need You Now"
Co-written by Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley

"The House That Built Me"
Co-written by Tom Douglas

"Toes"
Co-written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Driskell Hopkins, and Shawn Mullins

"White Liar"
Co-written by Miranda Lambert and Natalie Hemby

Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
"Hillbilly Bone"
Blake Shelton

"Need You Now"
Lady Antebellum

"The House That Built Me"
Miranda Lambert

"White Liar"
Miranda Lambert

Musician of the Year
Brent Mason - Guitar
Randy Scruggs - Guitar

Vince Gill hosted the ceremony and Shawn Camp led the ace house band, which backed the evening’s inspired musical homage in front of a packed room of music industry executives, creators, friends and family. The Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, presented annually by the educational non-profit organization of music professionals, was created "to recognize music trailblazers who exemplify the highest quality of leadership and leading by example."

The careers of veteran record label executive and producer Fred Foster and iconic journeymen Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson intersected at Foster’s archetypal independent label, Monument Records. All trailblazers in distinct, if interconnected, ways, the three helped define—and redefine—the Music Row business model, elevate the Nashville songwriting medium, and push the boundaries of country music, all while maintaining maverick authenticity.

BMI President & CEO Del Bryant kicked off the tribute with comments praising Fred Foster and the musical legacy of Monument Records. Rodney Crowell launched the evening’s music with a toe-tapping performance of “Dream Baby,” capturing the rockabilly swing of Roy Orbison’s original recording on Monument. Charlie McCoy nimbly performed “Today I Started Loving You Again,” and Billy Swan followed, delivering “I Can Help” with undiminished finesse. Surprise guest Dolly Parton then took the stage, performing her breakthrough hit “Dumb Blonde” off her 1967 debut album Hello, I’m Dolly, which Foster produced and released on Monument. Parton then presented the award to Foster.

Reflecting on his long career, Foster smiled as he remembered “wonderful experiences with wonderful people—talent beyond describing. This means more to me than I can say,” he shared. “Thank you so much.”

A video conveying a message from influential Combine Music publisher Bob Beckham served as the fitting introduction to the Kris Kristofferson tribute. Shawn Camp kicked off the musical celebration of Kristofferson with an aching performance of “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” Lyle Lovett followed with sublimely poetic remarks on Kristofferson’s relevance and an effortlessly cool rendition of “Me & Bobby McGee.” Finally, Lee Ann Womack delivered a tender version of “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again).” Longtime associate Tamara Saviano presented the award to Kristofferson.

“I’m kind of speechless,” said the perennially humble Kristofferson. “I’m so honored to be up here with Fred Foster and Willie Nelson. I can’t tell you what it means to me.”

Self-proclaimed lifelong fan Stephen Colbert addressed the audience via video to jump-start the tribute to Willie Nelson. Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer Lee Arnold then took the stage to praise Nelson and introduce Jamey Johnson, who delivered a spellbinding acoustic version of “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” Lorrie Morgan offered a sultry version of “Crazy,” followed by Randy Travis, who performed a stone-cold honky-tonk rendition of “Funny How Time Slips Away.” Longtime friend Brenda Lee presented the award to Nelson.

“Listening to people say all of these nice things, I almost gave myself a standing ovation,” Nelson joked, before concluding the evening with his characteristically poignant simplicity: “Thank y’all.”

Willie Nelson, Shawn Camp and the house band led a rousing finale of “On the Road Again,” during which they were joined by Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Billy Swan, Charlie McCoy, Jamey Johnson and Vince Gill.

Former major label, indie, and self-release artists are encouraged to submit their best work. The deadline is midnight on Friday, October 1.

In addition to honoring the year’s best, the IMAs offer innovative ways to connect hard-working artists with performance, promotion, broadcast and licensing opportunities, as well as millions of music fans.

Find out more at www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com.