Plaque Text for Tennessee Landmark #144:
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), an organization that collects performance royalties for songwriters and music publishers in all genres of music, opened its doors in New York in 1940. BMI was the first performance rights organization to represent what was then commonly referred to as rural and race music in the forms of country, gospel, blues, and jazz. In 1958, BMI established a permanent Nashville office and hired Frances William Preston as manager. BMI constructed the first wing of this building in 1964 and expanded it in 1995. This office represents songwriters and music publishers in Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Muscle Shoals and Austin, and played a key role in developing Nashville as Music City, U.S.A.
More about BMI: Broadcast Music, Inc.:
BMI was a pioneer in the recording industry for taking country and R&B (formerly “race music”) seriously! In hiring Frances Preston, they were also hiring Tennessee’s first female corporate executive!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with Historic Nashville, Inc!
- Donate to the Metro Historical Commission Foundation!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
NE corner of Music Square E and Music Cir N
Nashville, TN 37203
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Whenever the mood strikes you!