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BMI has tapped acclaimed hitmaker Lee Thomas Miller to serve as its 2026 BMI Songwriter Ambassador in Residence for the organization’s Nashville Creative office. The newly launched role is aimed at strengthening connections with songwriters while offering guidance on both the creative and business sides of the industry—reinforcing BMI’s long-standing mission to support writers at every phase of their careers.
Over the course of the year, Miller will be deeply involved in BMI programming, hosting a BMI Acoustic Lounge, leading BMI’s signature songwriter round at the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, and performing at both the BMI Key West and Annapolis Songwriters Festivals. He will also play a central role at invite-only BMI events, including the Next Big Wave Mixer and the Catalog Cast series, where he’ll engage with students at Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Tennessee State University. In addition, BMI will present financial and business-focused panels designed to offer practical insight for songwriters at all levels.
“Lee Thomas Miller has lived the songwriter’s life for more than 30 years and understands the realities of this business as well as anyone,” said Clay Bradley, BMI Vice President of Creative in Nashville. “His experience, leadership, and credibility make him the perfect person to remind writers of the value of their work.”
Miller, who signed with BMI in the late 1980s, reflected on the full-circle moment. “BMI was the first place I ever showed up with bad songs and cheap cassette demos,” he said. “They’ve been a constant through decades of change. Beyond my own career, I’ve had the privilege of working with BMI to protect and strengthen copyright laws. Being asked to serve in this role is incredibly meaningful—it speaks to the sense of family within our music community.”
In 2015, Miller received the inaugural BMI Champion Award for his advocacy on behalf of songwriters. As current President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), he serves on its legislative committee, helping push reforms that culminated in the Music Modernization Act, a landmark update to how songwriters are compensated in the digital age.
A highly decorated writer, Miller has earned 13 BMI Awards, along with CMA and ACM Song of the Year honors for Jamey Johnson’s “In Color,” and the CMA Single of the Year for Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This.” His catalog includes seven No. 1 hits, 18 Top 20 singles, more than 25 million radio spins, and over 100 million streams. Recent credits include Scotty McCreery’s “It Matters to Her,” Hailey Whitters’ “I’m in Love,” Bryan Martin’s “My Old Man,” and Brandon Heath’s “The Ache,” with upcoming releases from Parker McCollum, Jason Aldean, Brothers Osborne, Kelsey Hart, and Kashus Culpepper. Miller moved to Nashville in 1991, signed his first publishing deal in 1996, and has remained a steady presence on country radio ever since.
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