Rock legend Tommy James was honored last week by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) with five of the music rights organization’s “BMI Million-Air" awards, representing 22 million combined radio plays of his classic hit songs “Draggin’ The Line,” “Crimson And Clover,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Mony Mony,” and “Tighter Tighter.”
Of Friday’s award presentation at BMI’s New York headquarters president/CEO Del Bryant said, “Tommy’s career has thrived for more than 40 years and his songs continue to evolve with time. The five BMI Million-Air Awards we have honored Tommy James with clearly reflect the significant level of impact he has had, and continues to have on the music industry. We were delighted to honor him with five individual Million-Air awards.”
James said: “I was very honored to receive the BMI Million-Air awards, I have been a member for so long it feels like family. My thanks again to BMI.”
The BMI Million-Air Award is given to songwriters, composers, and publishers whose songs accumulate over one million broadcast performances in the U.S.
James has 23 gold singles to his credit along with nine platinum albums and over 100 million records sold worldwide. More than 300 artists have covered his songs, including Joan Jett, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, R.E.M., Prince, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, Cher and even the Boston Pops.
His music has also appeared in 27 films, as well as TV commercials and such current shows as Men Of A Certain Age, Criminal Minds, In Plain Sight and Breaking Bad.
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