BMI may refer to:

Companies and organizations[link]

• bmi, trading symbol for British Midland International, an airline of the United Kingdom
  • bmi baby, a low-cost airline, subsidiary of British Midland International
  • bmi regional, a regional airline, subsidiary of British Midland International
• BMI, the IATA code for the Central Illinois Regional Airport
• BMI, acronym for Broadcast Music, Inc., a collecting society for composers' copyrights
  • BMI Foundation, a non-profit organization founded Broadcast Music Incorporated
• BMI Gaming, also known as BMI Worldwide, a global amusement products firm
• BMI Healthcare, a British healthcare company
• Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Bank Melli Iran, the first national Iranian bank
• Birmingham and Midland Institute, not to be confused with the Birmingham Medical Institute, England
• Bundesministerium des Innern, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior
• Bureau of Military Information, a historic Union Army agency during the American Civil War

Media and entertainment[link]

• Best Motoring International, a Japanese magazine and video series for automobiles and racing

Other uses[link]

• Biculculline methiodide, a GABA-A antagonist used in neuroscience research
• Big Mac Index, a measurement of purchasing power parity across different countries, popularized by The Economist
• Body mass index, a numerical computation regarding height and weight
• Brain Machine Interface, a technological interface between a brain and an artificial device
• Business Management Intelligence, a product of Urban Science
• Business model innovation, a business theory

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Kierra "Kiki" Sheard (born Kierra Valencia Sheard) is an American gospel recording artist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard (member of gospel singing group The Clark Sisters) and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark.

Early life[link]

Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in the suburb of West Bloomfield, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the influences of her family, their faith, and their music.^[1] At age 6, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father Bishop J. Drew Sheard. Even at a young age, Sheard had a preternatural grip on the signature "Clark sound" pioneered by her mother and aunts, executing high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, and deep, throaty growls sometimes referred to as "squalls" (the latter is prominently displayed on "Done Did It", a traditional gospel leaning track from her album I Owe You).^{[citation needed]}

Music career[link]

1997-2003: Early Career[link]

Sheard made her professional stage debut at the age of 10 performing on two tracks on her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen in 1997. One of those songs was "The Will Of God", penned by Evangelist Richard "Mr. Clean" White as the standout closing track. The song won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance the following year. In the years following, she honed and matured her skills as a performer and vocalist. Kierra started singing as a background vocalist for her mother, her aunt Dorinda Clark-Cole, and The Clark Sisters. In 2002, Kierra was featured on her aunt Dorinda's self-titled debut album. The following year, she performed two tracks again on her mothers' third album, The Heavens Are Telling. On The Heavens Are Telling, she was featured with her mother on a popular cover of Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat). In 2003, EMI Gospel won a bidding war between several record companies to sign Kierra to her first recording contract.

[edit] 2004–2005: I Owe You

Her debut album I Owe You was released on September 7, 2004. The 11-track set included production and songwriting from such notable music luminaries as Rodney Jerkins, Warryn Campbell, Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, J Moss, and Tonéx. The album also functioned as the production debut for her brother J Drew.

The following year, EMI commissioned a collection of remixes entitled Just Until... on August 2, 2005. The title of the stopgap release was abbreviated from its working title "Just Until The Next Record".^[2] The album had a surprise international hit in The Godson Concept remix of "Let Go". The upbeat gospel single, released only in Japan, raced to the top of mainstream R&B charts and remained there for several weeks.^[3]

[edit] 2006–2007: This is Me

Shortly after graduating high school, Sheard readied her second album This Is Me. It debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart when it was released June 27, 2006.^[4] A midtempo fan favorite, the Fred Jerkins III-produced "Why Me?" was chosen as the lead single for the album. Sheard shot her first music videos for two subsequent singles from the album, "Yes" and "This Is Me". The album was Grammy Award-nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album in December 2006.^[5]

In addition to performing at the 2007 Stellar Awards ("Why Me?"), Sheard appeared on BET's Celebration of Gospel standing in for pregnant Faith Evans in "Endow Me" (as popularized by Sheard's aunts) along with Coko, Lil' Mo, and Fantasia. Sheard also sang with her mother for A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.

[edit] 2008–2009: Bold Right Life

In October 2008, Sheard released her third album, Bold Right Life. The album spawned the two lead singles "Praise Him Now" and "Won't Hold Back".^[6][7] Sheard was also featured on what would be the biggest single of her career to date, "God In Me", from Mary Mary's The Sound album.

In January 2009, Sheard appeared at the BMI Trailblazers performing "Jesus Is a Love Song" as a salute to her aunt, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark.

Sheard released a greatest hits EP entitled KiKi's Mixtape on September 22, 2009.^[8] The EP included 3 new unreleased songs, 2 remixes, singles from previous albums and "This Christmas" with Marcus Cole.

[edit] 2010–Present: Free

Kierra had a role in Preacher's Kid (starring platinum-selling R&B artist LeToya Luckett, Durrell Babbs, Clifton Powell, Gregory Alan Williams, Sharif Atkins) which was released in theaters across the U.S. on January 29, 2010 and was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on May 4, 2010.

Kierra Sheard's fourth album, titled Free, will be released on October 18, 2011. This will be Kierra's 1st album on her family's gospel label, Karew Records (pronounced Kuh-Rue). Originally scheduled for a July 2011 release, the album was leaked and subsequently pushed back and reformatted with a different tracklisting.^[9] The album will feature Kierra's BRL (Bold Right Life) Choir.

Personal life[link]

Kierra Sheard is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she received her bachelors degree in English with a minor in Psychology. Though her touring schedule has been curbed to accommodate her academic goals, Sheard did embark on a Japanese tour with her mother Karen Clark-Sheard in August 2006.^{[citation needed]}

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 2004: I Owe You
• 2006: This Is Me
• 2008: Bold Right Life
• 2011: Free

Compilations[link]

• 2005: Just Until...
• 2009: KiKi's Mixtape

References[link]

External links[link]

• - Official website
• http://www.boldrightlife.com
• http://www.kierrasheard.me

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Tagged since May 2011. It includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Tagged since May 2011. It relies largely or entirely upon a single source. Tagged since May 2011. It may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. Tagged since May 2011.

Dolores "Jenni" Rivera (born July 2, 1969) is a Mexican-American singer, better known for her work within the banda and norteña music genres. She's been active in the music scene since 1992 and her recordings include many topical songs and material dealing with social issues, infidelity, and relationships. Her tenth studio album, Jenni in 2008, became her first number-one album in the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the United States.

Jenni Rivera plans to record her first Pop song in early 2012 which will feature music produced by Manny and Gil THE LATIN. The new material will be recorded in English and target the general market.

Early Life and Career[link]

Rivera was born Dolores Janney Rivera in Long Beach, CA. Her parents were Mexican immigrants who raised Jenni and her four brothers and sister (including Lupillo Rivera) in a tight-knit musical household. While still in high school she became pregnant with the first of her five children, and eventually married the child's father, José Trinidad Marín.^{[1][unreliable source?]} When she first started singing she was Jenni Rivera. In 1996 she released her first album Chacalosa, on the Capitol/EMI label, which became popular in Mexico and the American Southwest.

Family[link]

Jenni Rivera currently lives in Encino, California with her 5 children, husband and grand-daughter. Her 5 children are Janney Marin(Chiquis), Jacquie Marin, Michael Marin(Trinidad), Jenicka Lopez and Johnny Lopez. Her grand-daughter's name is Jaylah Hope Yanez, who's mom is Jacquie. Jenni Riveras is married to Major League Baseball Player Esteban Loaiza

Achievements[link]

Jenni Rivera is a Mexican-American singer/songwriter raised in Long Beach, has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Rivera was nominated at the 2003, 2008 and 2010 Latin Grammys. A successful Regional-Mexican artist and entrepreneur, including Divina Realty, Divina Cosmetics, Jenni Rivera Fragrance, Jenni Jeans, Divine Music and The Jenni Rivera Love Foundation. Jenni Rivera became the first female Banda artist to sell-out a concert at the world famous Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA and most recently became the first artist up-to-date to sell-out two back-to-back nights at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California on August 6, 2010 and August 7, 2010. On August 6, 2010, Jenni Rivera was named spokeswomen for the National Coalition against battered women and domestic violence in Los Angeles. A proclamation was given "officially naming" August 6 “Jenni Rivera Day” by the LA City Council for all her charity work and involvement in the community. Jenni Rivera was also the producer to her oldest daughter's (Janney Marin) reality TV show on the cable network MUN2, "Chiquis & Raq-C",and is all around the world, and now stars in her sequel/spin-off show called I Love Jenni.

Discography[link]

Studio Albums[link]

• 2003 Homenaje A Las Grandes
• 2004: Simplemente La Mejor
• 2005: Parrandera, Rebelde y Atrevida
• 2006: En Vivo Desde Hollywood
• 2006: Besos y Copas Desde Hollywood
• 2007: Mi Vida Loca
• 2007: La DIva En Vivo
• 2008: Jenni
• 2009: Jenni: Super Deluxe
• 2009: La Gran Señora
• 2010: La Gran Señora En Vivo
• 2011: Joyas Prestadas (Banda)
• 2011: Joyas Prestadas (Pop)

References[link]

2006- En Vivo Desde Hollywood

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jenni Rivera

• Official website
• Jenni Rivera at the Internet Movie Database

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2008)

The Walls are an Irish rock band. They were formed in 1998 by two ex-members of The Stunning.

Members[link]

• Steve Wall
• Joe Wall
• Carl Harms (Guitar/Keyboards) (left February 2004)
• Rory Doyle (Drums)
• Jon O'Connell (Bass) (joined February 2004)

Biography[link]

1998–2000[link]

Brothers Steve and Joe Wall (previously of The Stunning) returned to Ireland after a two-year failed label stint in London. Their Camden housemate Carl Harms joined the band on guitar and keyboard duties. Drummer Rory Doyle joined soon afterwards. They set up their own label, Earshot Records (later changing it to Dirtbird Records) and recorded and released a string of singles. A remix of one of the album tracks, "Bone Deep", clicked with radio and became a nationwide hit. Many of the songs have featured on a number of TV series and feature films such as Bachelors Walk, Dead Bodies, Goldfish Memory and On the Edge (starring Cillian Murphy).

2001–2004[link]

The Walls heard rumour of a second Slane Castle date for U2 (as the first concert had sold out in hours). They sent four copies of their album to the band. Bono loved it and offered The Walls a support slot. That day the band played to their biggest crowd to date – around 80,000 people. "To the Bright and Shining Sun" was their next single. That June they supported Red Hot Chili Peppers. They spent the next year gigging while building their own studio in Dublin.

In February 2004, original member Carl Harms decided to leave the band to make his own record. They recruited bassist Jon O’Connell, who had just 2 weeks to learn all the songs before a two week tour of the new EU accession states: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. "To the Bright and Shining Sun" also featured on the EA Sports soundtrack for the UEFA Euro 2004 official licenced game.

2004 - 2006[link]

For the next album, the band went to Studio Black Box in France to record with producer and ex-The Frames guitarist David Odlum. Originally scheduled for a release date in September 2004, The Walls decided to hold their album until the new year. U2 were releasing How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb that autumn and according to Steve "we thought that it would be a fair and gentlemanly gesture to stand back and give them a fair crack of the whip, so to speak".^{[citation needed]}

In October 2004, they released a taster - "Drowning Pool" - a blistering, spleen-venting, blues explosion, 2min 52sec long. It took people by surprise and divided opinion - exactly what the band wanted. They supported Bob Dylan to a capacity crowd in Galway that summer and played a storming set that showed there were changes afoot in The Walls sound. They christened the album New Dawn Breaking after the final track on the record. It went straight into the Irish charts at No. 5 in its first week of release in June 2005 and has produced four hit singles: "To the Bright and Shining Sun", "Passing Through", "Drowning Pool" and "Black and Blue".

2007[link]

The band kicked off 2007 with a gig in Dubai and are presently negotiating gig offers in France, Italy, the Czech Republic and China. They also supported Crowded House on their Australian comeback tour before retreating into their studio to work on album number three.

2010 - 2012[link]

In 2010, the double A-side "Carrying The Fire"/"Phantom Power" was released. Following this, in March 2011, the "Bird In A Cage" EP was released, of which the title track was revealed to also be on the bands forthcoming album "Stop The Lights", which is to be released in 2012. Following this announcement, the band's new single "Stop The Lights" was released in January 2012. The band are currently using the innovative "Fund It" in order to finish their third album. The welcome newcomer Kevin Crowley from Newcastle West playing the spoons.

Discography[link]

	"To the Bright and Shining Sun" (2002) noicon From the 2005 album " New Dawn Breaking".
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Studio albums[link]

• Hi-Lo (released May 2000).
• New Dawn Breaking (released June 2005) (reached No. 5 in Irish charts)
• Stop The Lights (released 2012)

Singles and albums[link]

• "The Night I Called It A Day" (Single, released Feb 1999)
• "Broken Boy" (Single, released Sept 1999)
• "Something's Wrong" (Single, released Apr 2000)
• Hi-Lo (Album, released May 2000). A remix of one of the album tracks, Bone Deep, was popular in Ireland. Some songs featured on TV series and feature films: Bachelors Walk, Dead Bodies, Goldfish Memory and On the Edge (starring Cillian Murphy).

• "To the Bright and Shining Sun" (Single, released 2002) reached No. 11 in the Irish charts.
• "Drowning Pool" (single, released 2004)
• New Dawn Breaking (Album, released June 2005) reached No. 5 in Irish charts and has produced four hit singles: "To the Bright and Shining Sun", "Passing Through", "Drowning Pool" and "Black and Blue".

• "Carrying the Fire" / "Phantom Power" (double-A sided single, released Jun 2010)
• "Bird In A Cage EP" (4 Track EP, released Mar 2011)

Cover versions[link]

• Cover version of Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 1
• Cover version of Natasha Bedingfield's "These Words" on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 2
• Cover version of U2's "With or without you" on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 3

Career highlights[link]

• Supported U2 at Slane Castle, 2001
• Supported Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2002
• Supported Bob Dylan, Galway, 2005
• Supported Crowded House, Australia, 2007

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official band website, contains free MP3s; gig info, photos, Walls shop, press releases etc.
• The Walls at MySpace, contains some sample MP3s.