BMI, Broadcast Music Inc., the well-known music rights manager, will be calling 2014 its 75th year of business.
Founded in 1939 as an alternative to ASCAP, the group has been quite successful. It will offer a commemorative book, “75 Years of American Music,” heavily leaning on BMI personnel and archives for content. The book will debut at an NAB/BMI dinner at the NAB Show in April. The NAB and BMI had close relationship early in BMI’s formative years.
The book was authored by Bob Guccione Jr., founder of Spin magazine. He said, “”BMI has substantially helped shape modern American music, and I’m honored to have been chosen to produce this special anniversary book.”
BMI CEO Mike O’Neill said: “Now is the perfect opportunity to showcase their incredible stories and contributions through the lens of the BMI narrative. We look forward to celebrating this anniversary throughout 2014 with a multitude of initiatives that salute BMI’s history and the diverse history of those we represent.”