Lily Allen, Sting, George Martin Pick Up US Songwriting Awards


162191-lily-allen




Recently retired Lily Allen, Sting and The Beatles‘ producer George Martin were the main winners at last night’s Broadcast Music International Awards, which honours artists for their contribution to US television and radio, reports Bang Showbiz.

Record label executives were on hand to accept the awards on behalf of Allen and Sting, however M People’s Heather Small was on hand to collect a prize for her song ‘Proud‘, which is the theme tune for US reality series ‘The Biggest Loser’. “It’s nice to be recognised,” she commented. “My award is for ‘Proud‘, which is on ‘The Biggest Loser’, which may not sound great, but it’s all about losing weight!”

Legendary producer George Martin was in attendance along with veteran writer Don Black to pick up the BMI Icon award for services to songwriting.
Speaking of his career, Black, who has provided lyrics for countless musicals, movies and chart songs, remembered the first track he became involved with. “My whole life changed, for me, when I was working in Denmark Street, London, in the early days,” he said.

“It’s very appropriate to mention tonight, that the first song I plugged as a song plugger was ‘Don’t Laugh At Me‘ by the late, but certainly great, Norman Wisdom. I’ve worked with so many brilliant composers, I couldn’t possibly mention them all – but I have to name John Barry and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who both played such an important part in my career.”

Past winners of the BMI Icon award include Ray Davies, Van Morrison and Donovan.


Learn More