BMI launches online songwriter/producer video series

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) launched an online video series today at www.bmi.com/behindthesong featuring six top BMI award-winning songwriters/producers: Kara DioGuardi, Colbie Caillat, J.R. Rotem, Jim Jonsin, Rodney Jerkins and Jude Cole. Named “Behind the Song: The BMI Songwriter/Producer Series,” the six-week web series will offer candid, informational sitdowns with some of music’s most influential songwriters and producers.

“Behind the Song: The BMI Songwriter/Producer Series” is designed to give songwriters, producers and others aspiring to music industry careers advice, insight and knowledge of the roles, challenges and successes of some of the top songwriters and producers in the field. The creators will discuss how they see themselves as a songwriter and/or producer; their distinct approaches to songwriting and producing; and advice on getting into the music industry.

The schedule for the series includes:

May 24 – Kara DioGuardi. Kara DioGuardi is one of the industry’s most sought-after songwriters and producers. Her songs have appeared on more than 159 million albums. A Grammy-nominated hitmaker and 2007 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, she serves as Executive VP of Talent Development, Office of the Chairman, Warner Bros. Records and co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, a music-publishing venture, with Bug Music. She is also head judge on Platinum Hit, Bravo’s new reality show in search of America’s best songwriters. Her book, "A Helluva High Note," was recently released by Harper Collins.

May 31 – Colbie Caillat. Colbie Caillat is one of the industry’s leading singer/songwriters; a Grammy Award-winning, chart-topping SoCal hitmaker, she will release her new CD, All Of You, July 12, 2011 on Universal Republic Records. Caillat’s first album, Coco, debuted at #5 and quickly became multi-platinum. Her first single, “Bubbly,” caught a generation’s imagination and has become one of the best-selling digital tracks of all time. Billboard named Caillat its Breakthrough Artist of the Year and, fittingly, Breakthrough broke at #1. Her embrace has stretched to include work for honorable causes including the Surfrider Foundation, Save the Music and the Humane Society, for which she has recently become a spokesperson.

June 7 – J.R. Rotem. Called the “Super Producer” by MTV, J.R. Rotem is co-founder of Beluga Heights, the musical home to Jason Derülo, Iyaz and Sean Kingston. He has written/produced songs for over 100 artists in the past five years, including the artists signed to Beluga. He produced/co-wrote “S.O.S.” for Rihanna, “Fly” for Nicki Minaj, as well as tracks for Rick Ross, Plies and many more. He is a past BMI Pop and Urban award-winner and was named BMI Producer of the Year in 2009.

June 14 – Jim Jonsin. A Grammy-winning producer and owner of Rebel Rock Productions, Rebel Rock Entertainment and Rebel Made Publishing, Jim Jonsin has had #1 singles with Lil Wayne (“Lollipop”), T.I. (“Whatever You Like”) and Usher (“There Goes My Baby”), and Top 10 singles with Jamie Foxx (“Unpredictable”), Nelly (“Just a Dream”) and Beyoncé (“Sweet Dreams”). B.o.B., the flagship artist of his Rebel Rock Entertainment, had three platinum-plus singles in 2010 (“Nothin’ On You,” “Airplanes” and “Magic”). Jonsin is also working with pop acts as part of his production residency with American Idol this season.

June 21 – Rodney Jerkins. A wildly successful producer/songwriter/musician, Rodney Jerkins is admired both for his star-making vision and impressive career longevity. Jerkins’ discography is a who's who of musical royalty: Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Madonna, Brandy, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Cher, Janet Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Jamie Foxx, Black Eyed Peas and countless others. His production contributions have garnered over 160 million in record sales worldwide.

June 28 – Jude Cole. Jude Cole is a singer/songwriter, producer and manager with over 25 years experience and success in the music industry. He runs and is a partner in Iron Works Music – a record label, recording studio and publishing company; he also manages the band Lifehouse. He has co-written the Lifehouse songs “You and Me,” “First Time” and “Halfway Gone,” among others.

July 5 – A behind-the-scenes look at “Behind the Song: The BMI Songwriter/Producer Series”

www.bmi.com