Industry Ink: BMI, Unsigned Only, Williams & Ree

BMI Songwriters Sing In South Dakota

Pictured (L-R): Wendell Mobley, Lee Thomas Miller

BMI songwriters Lee Thomas Miller and Wendell Mobley helped cap off the South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA) Annual Golf Tournament with a performance on Monday (Sept. 12) in Rapid City. The Nashville songwriters told the stories behind their songs and sang hits they have written for the likes of Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and Joe Nichols. The SDRA represents the interests of a variety of businesses in South Dakota including the retail, restaurant and hotel industries.

Nashville Songwriter Wins Unsigned Only Grand Prize

Ingrid Andress

Ingrid Andress, a Colorado native who now lives in Nashville, picked up the grand prize in the 2016 Unsigned Only Music Competition. She won for her song “Footprints,” which was selected from a panel of industry judges among nearly 6,000 submissions.

In addition to winning $20,000 in cash, Andress also receives one-on-one mentoring from executives from Atlantic, Warner Bros., RCA, Epic, Razor & Tie, Disney Music Group/Hollywood Records, Nettwerk Music Group, Black River Entertainment, and others.

Andress said, “You always hear about this happening to other people, but I never thought it would happen to me. It’s such an amazing and rare opportunity to have people care about you and your music. It’s very inspiring to feel supported by an organization who just want you to do well because of your music ability and your love for your art.”

Williams and Ree Earn Native American Music Award

Williams and Ree. Photo: Rock Tweten

Comedy/music duo Williams and Ree have been named Entertainer of the Year Award at the 16th annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA). The ceremony will take place on Saturday (Sept. 17) at the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino Center in Salamanca, New York.

The duo is composed of Terry Ree, who has origins in the Sioux Tribe and is dubbed “The Indian,” and Bruce Williams, known as “The White Guy.” They will be highlighted for their comedic banter that uses the pair’s musical background to infuse their slapstick humor with catchy melodies to poke fun at stereotypes. Regulars on The Nashville Network in the 1980s and 1990s, they also host a number of country music festivals.