Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the global leader in music rights management, will present the BMI Icon Award for outstanding career achievement to prolific composer James Newton Howard at the Company's 2016 Film & Television Awards. In addition, David Newman will receive the Classic Contribution Award for his advocacy of film music performances in concert halls, most notably through his work with the American Youth Symphony. The annual ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 11, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The private event will also honor the composers of the past year's top-grossing films, top-rated primetime network television series and highest-ranking cable network programs.
BMI will bestow the Icon Award to James Newton Howard for his impactful contribution in the realm of film and television music. "We are thrilled to honor James, an exquisite musician and prolific composer whose glorious music is as inspiring as he is," said Doreen Ringer-Ross, BMI Vice President, Film/TV Relations. "He is truly one of the most revered film composers in the world because of his masterful chameleon-like skills." BMI President & CEO Mike O'Neill and BMI Vice President, Film/TV Relations Doreen Ringer-Ross will host the ceremony.
James Newton Howard recently sat down with BMI to discuss this honor, as well as a number of other topics about his extraordinary career. In this candid conversation with veteran film journalist, Jon Burlingame, Howard talks about his approach to scoring, his working relationship with director M. Night Shyamalan, his experiences with iconic artists like Elton John and Barbra Streisand, the fear he felt writing the Oscar-nominated score for The Fugitive, his desire to help the next generation of composers and much more. Click here to watch.