BMI®

For Immediate Release

"BMI PRESENTS" STOUT LINE-UP FOR SXSW 2006

SXSW Debut Performances to Include Captain, Nico Vega, J.D. Natasha,
We Are the Fury, Makeshifte and More

NEW YORK, February 28, 2006 -- BMI, the U.S. performing rights organization representing more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, continues its dedication to songwriters of all genres by announcing two "BMI Presents" showcases at the 20th annual SXSW Music and Media Conference and Festival. SXSW 2006 will be held March 14-19 in Austin, Texas. Admittance to shows is granted with SXSW Festival badges and wristbands, while a limited number of tickets will be available at both venues.

On Wednesday, March 15, BMI will present six diverse groups at Maggie Mae's (323 E. 6th Street). DC rockers The Hint kick things off at 9pm; 9:45pm brings Newton Faulkner, the UK's newest candidate for singer-guitarist eminence; 10:30pm will be The Killers label mates Greater Good; V2 artist Chris Stills takes the stage at 11:15pm; sultry Miami rocker J.D. Natasha, nominated for Best New Artist at the 2005 Latin Grammys, takes over at the stroke of midnight; and Houston buzz rockers Glass Intrepid will top off the evening at 12:45am.

On Thursday, March 16, BMI keeps things rolling and offers a change of venue, along with another stellar line-up. The show will be at Opal Divine's Freehouse (700 W. 6th Street) and is sponsored by Performing Songwriter magazine. Winnepeg, Manitoba and J Records recording artists Inward Eye open the show at 8:15 p.m.; acclaimed Boston singer-songwriter Mieka Pauley takes the stage at 9pm; 9:45pm offers Louisiana son Joe Stark's new band, Sons of William; 10:30pm will be We Are the Fury, a refreshing 70's punk-glam fusion; the UK's Captain makes their highly anticipated US debut at 11:15pm; White Stripes/Janis Joplin hybrid Nico Vega are currently the toast of LA and will perform at 12:00am; and at 12:45am, 2005 Texas Buzz Awards "Musicians Choice" winners Makeshifte take the stage.

BMI will also be welcoming travelers to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with live Texas bands at the airport's Highland Lakes Bar stage. Starting on Tuesday, March 14 and running through Sunday, March 19, performances will include Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, Big Blue Hearts, Redd Volkaert & Cindy Cashdollar, Elana James & The Continental Two, Jade Day, Colin Gilmore and Kathy McCarty.

For more information on BMI events at SXSW, please visit www.bmi.com/sxsw. For press information, bios and photos of the showcasing artists, please visit www.bmi.com/sxsw/press. Ongoing coverage of all BMI events at the SXSW Music and Film festivals will be at www.bmi.com/sxsw.

To purchase SXSW wristbands or badges please go to www.sxsw.com.

Now celebrating more than 65 years in business, BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music. Through its music performance and reciprocal agreements with sister organizations around the world, it grants businesses and media access to its repertoire of approximately 4.5 million songs and compositions.

Contacts:

Hanna Pantle, BMI
310-289-6328; hpantle@bmi.com

Kay Clary, BMI
615-401-2728; kclary@bmi.com

Jill McGuckin, BMI
512-478-0578; jill@mcguckinpr.com