May 21, 2009 07:00 AM Eastern Time 

BMI Film & Television Awards Tout Composers of Year’s Top Film, Television, & Cable Music

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BMI, the leading music rights organization, honored the composers of music featured in the past year’s top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series, and highest ranking cable network programs tonight at its annual Film & Television Awards. Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Film/TV Relations Vice President Doreen Ringer Ross, the black-tie gala also celebrated BMI’s Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award-winning composers.

A highlight of the ceremony was the Richard Kirk Award presentation to esteemed composer David Newman. Named after late BMI Vice President Richard Kirk, the prestigious award is given annually to a composer who has made significant contributions to film and television music. As the 2009 honoree, David Newman joins an elite list of peers that includes George S. Clinton, Danny Elfman, Jerry Goldsmith, Harry Gregson-Williams (PRS), Michael Kamen, Alan Menken, Mark Mothersbaugh, Thomas Newman, Mike Post, Lalo Schifrin, John Williams and Christopher Young.

BMI also presented the Classic Contribution Award to Mike Post in recognition of his dedicated involvement with the BMI Foundation’s Pete Carpenter Fellowship. The composer behind classic themes for television series including NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law and Law and Order, Post has volunteered his time and invaluable expertise for the past 20 years, mentoring each fellowship recipient in his Los Angeles studios.

BMI saluted A. R. Rahman (PRS), whose composition for Slumdog Millionaire earned the Academy Award statuette for Original Score, while the film’s “Jai Ho,” featuring music by Rahman and lyrics by Gulzar (PRS), claimed the Oscar for Original Song. Rahman’s Golden Globe win for Best Original Score—also for Slumdog Millionaire—was also honored.

Pete Townshend (PRS) took home three awards for CSI, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. Composers receiving two awards each included Aaron Zigman for Sex and the City and Madea Goes to Jail; Theodore Shapiro for Marley & Me and Tropic Thunder; Harry Gregson-Williams for Eleventh Hour and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian; Danny Elfman for Wanted and Desperate Housewives; Rupert Gregson-Williams for Bedtime Stories and You Don't Mess with the Zohan; Tyler Bates for Californication and Watchmen; and Graeme Revell for Pineapple Express and Eleventh Hour.

Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI reported $901 million for its 2008 fiscal year in performing right collections. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for 70 years. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

For the complete release and winners’ list, visit www.bmi.com.

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