2011 Pop Music Awards Review

On 17 May 2011, BMI hosted their 2011 Pop Music Awards ceremony; paying tribute to the songwriters who either make their own careers through the writing of songs, or enhance the careers of singers and bands. It was held in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in California and was hosted by Del Bryant (BMI President and CEO), Phil Graham (Senior VP for BMI, publisher and writer) and Barbara Cane (VP and General Manager for BMI). It was the 59th hosting of the awards ceremony and not only were the songwriters honored, but the top earning songs of the year as well.

Over and above the winners on the evening, tribute was also paid to publishers and songwriters who have been significant in the music industry in regard to the songs that have been played and performed the most in the last fifty years. Lady Antebellum took the honor of Pop Song of the Year for their hit Need You Now. The song was written by Charles Kelly and Dave Haywood. The Pop Publisher of the Year award was handed to Sony/ATV Songs LLC; while Lady Gaga received recognition for her songs Paparazzi, Alejandro, Telephone and Bad Romance. Bad Romance was included amongst the songs that assisted Sony/ATV in taking the publishing award, as well as Your Love Is My Drug (Ke$ha), You Belong With Me (Taylor Swift) and Sweet Dreams (Beyonce). Jason Derulo also received recognition for his songs, Whatcha Say, In My Head and Ridin’ Solo.

David Foster was honored with the BMI Icon award. He is most deserving of this title, as he has worked with big names such as Andrea Bocelli, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand. He was inducted into the Songwriters Fall of Fame last year and has won fifteen Grammy Awards. He has also taken the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year award three times in the past. David Foster was honored further with tribute performances by Chaka Kahn (Through the Fire), Brian McKnight (After the Love is Gone), Delta Goodrem and Codey Karey (The Prayer) and Keri Hilsom (I Have Nothing).