BMI Foundation Hosts Inaugural Benefit Concert Featuring American Authors

American Authors' James Adam Shelley, Zac Barnett, Matt Sanchez and Dave Rublin perform at BMI Foundation benefit.

(back) BMI Foundation’s David F. Bills, Samantha Cox and Dan Coleman; (front) BMI Foundation’s Rich Garza, American Authors’ Dave Rublin, BMI President & CEO and Foundation Honorary Chair Mike O’Neill, Shevy Smith of the Passerine Project, BMI Foundation President Deirdre Chadwick, BMI Foundation’s Antonella DiSaverio, American Authors’ Matt Sanchez, James Adam Shelley, Zac Barnett and Shep Goodman.

American Authors’ James Adam Shelley, Matt Sanchez and Zac Barnett pictured with James Der & Connor Der.

American Authors’ Matt Sanchez, Round Hill Music’s Jonnie Davis, American Authors’ Zac Barnett and Round Hill Music’s Neil Gillis.

American Authors’ Dave Rublin, Owen Miller, Luca Dietrich, Noah Mattingly, Rachel Mattingly, Elia Dietrich, American Authors’ Matt Sanchez, Zac Barnett and James Adam Shelley.

The BMI Foundation hosted its inaugural benefit concert featuring platinum-selling, alternative-rock band American Authors on Tuesday, January 20th, 2015, at Broadcast Music Inc.’s New York City headquarters. Proceeds from the event provided essential support for the BMI Foundation’s work on behalf of music students, composers, performers, researchers, and other nonprofit arts organizations nationwide.

Guests enjoyed a rare, intimate performance of American Authors’ biggest hits, followed by a Q&A session with the band. The evening also included a special presentation by Emmy-nominated composer/producer and BMI songwriter Shevy Smith, highlighting “The Passerine Project,” a one-month, cross-cultural songwriting workshop in which students from the Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies (BCS) adapted poems written by participants of the Afghan Women’s Writing Project into original songs. Mike O’Neill, President and CEO of Broadcast Music, Inc. and Honorary Chair of the BMI Foundation, announced his award of $10,000 for the continuance of The Passerine Project’s work with BCS high school students.

Said American Authors of the benefit, “Music education played a crucial role in our creative development and professional success. We were honored to be a part of this special event and give back to an organization that affords young musicians the same opportunities we had as aspiring artists.” The BMI Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to American Authors for their support in raising both significant resources and awareness for the Foundation’s cause and looks forward to hosting future events furthering music performance and education in communities throughout the nation.