BMI Foundation Announces 2026 John Lennon Award Recipients
NEW YORK, NY - July 16, 2026 - BMI Foundation, Inc. has announced the recipients of the John Lennon Award, an esteemed annual songwriting competition established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation to honor preeminent songwriter John Lennon’s memory with three annual prizes totaling $20,000 for the best original songs by young songwriters in contemporary musical genres including alternative, pop, rock, indie, electronica, R&B, and experimental. The 2026 first prize award was given to Claire Nichols for her song "pomegranate.red,” while the second prize was given in a tie to both August James for his song “Illicit” and Hope Watson for her song “Twice as Loud.”
"Every year, we're blown away by the artistry and skill demonstrated by the hundreds of young songwriters who send in submissions for this award," said program director and Senior Director, Creative, BMI Timothy Pattison. "This year, we were especially impressed with the caliber of songwriting from August, Claire and Hope, and we can't wait to see them expand on their gifts and flourish in their careers. Directing this competition and discovering such great talent makes me excited for the future of music."
In addition to Pattison, this year’s finalist judges included Melissa Emert-Hutner (Kobalt), Haley Evans (Mega House Music), Ian Holder (Capital Records), and Talia Kraines (Spotify).
Upon receiving the award, first-place winner Claire Nichols shared, “I am so honored to be receiving the John Lennon Award from the BMI Foundation. ‘pomegranate.red’ is the second track off of my EP bath., which is the first project I ever wrote and produced all by myself. I've loved songwriting since I was 13, and it feels so full circle to receive an award named after someone who never stopped experimenting with what a song could be. This means the world to me and I'm so grateful.”
Claire Nichols writes music for feelings that are hard to name. The Denver-born, NYC-based songwriter and producer releases under the name ickypop, with her music drawing comparisons to The Japanese House, Devon Again, and Imogen Heap. Her most recent project, bath, is a deeply personal, entirely self-produced record that finds profound meaning in everyday domestic life — tile reverbs, fuzzy textures, and off-kilter rhythms build songs that are quietly cinematic. It moves through guilt and grief with precision and intimacy.
The Minnesota-raised, Los Angeles-based independent artist August James is a triple threat singer, songwriter, and producer. August’s coming-of-age lyricism combined with his signature synth-fueled folk/pop sound has garnered millions of streams on his discography completely independently.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, 20-year-old Hope Watson is an emerging indie artist and college student discovering her voice through music. Blending indie pop, indie rock, and folk influences, she explores themes of love, heartbreak, hardship, self-worth, faith, purpose, and new perspectives. Her songwriting reflects a journey of personal growth and honest self-expression as she continues to define her sound and identity. Through meaningful lyrics and heartfelt melodies, Hope aims to inspire listeners, offer hope, and create music that connects deeply with people navigating life’s challenges while encouraging resilience, authenticity, compassion, and meaningful conversations through shared experiences and genuine human connection.
About the BMI Foundation, Inc.
The BMI Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to encourage the creation, performance, and study of American music. The Foundation’s programs include competitive scholarships for songwriters and composers, operating grants for nonprofit arts presenters, and support for innovative music education initiatives in schools and communities across the country. For more information about the work of the Foundation, please visit our website at www.bmifoundation.org. For exclusive news and content, follow @bmifoundation on Instagram and like BMI Foundation on Facebook.
