LOS ANGELES (BMI Awards) - U.S. performing rights organization BMI tonight honored the composers and songwriters of the music in this year's top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network television shows at its annual Film & Television Awards dinner. Held at the Regent Beverly
Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, the black tie gala was hosted by BMI President and CEO Del R. Bryant and BMI Vice President Film/TV Relations, Doreen Ringer Ross. More than 100 awards were announced during the ceremonies.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the BMI Richard Kirk award for Outstanding Career Achievement to composer Graeme Revell. Named after late BMI Vice President Richard Kirk, the prestigious award is given annually to the composer who has made significant contributions to film and TV music.
Revell, a New Zealand native, is in the midst of a historical career in film and television music. With credits including "Sin City," "Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3D," "Dead Calm," "The Crow," "The Insider," "CSI: Miami," "The Negotiator," "Blow," "Open Water" and more, he has become known for his blending of traditional ethnic music and ambient sounds.
Honoring Revell at the dinner via video messages were Directors Robert Rodriguez, Phillip Noyce, Danny Cannon, David Twohy and Carl Franklin in addition to journalist Jon Burlingame. Chucky, the star of the "Chucky" film series, narrated the video salute to Revell.
BMI also gave out the award for the "Most Performed Song From A Motion Picture" to The Counting Crows and their publishing companies, as well as recognizing this year's Emmy award winners for music.
BMI gave out the first BMI Spotlight Award to Television composer Frank Gari and the inaugural BMI Classic Contribution Award to the creators of The Tonight Show themes - composed by Johnny Carson, Paul Anka and Kevin Eubanks.
With a nod to the digital music age, BMI also handed out two Ringtone Awards for Television music themes that have become most-performed songs in the mobile space. The awards went to Stu Phillips for the "Knight Rider" theme and Lalo Schifrin for the "Mission Impossible" theme.
Taking home three or more awards at the dinner were past Richard Kirk recipient Mike Post with four Television awards for the "Law & Order" franchises: "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Law & Order: CI" and "Law & Order: Trial By Jury." Taking home three awards was Pete Townshend for the "CSI" franchises: "CSI," "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: NY."
Now marking its 65th year in business, BMI is an American performing rights organization 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.
