Johnny McDaid To Receive BMI President’s Award at 2026 BMI London Awards
Songwriter and musician Johnny McDaid, best known as a member of Snow Patrol and a frequent collaborator with Ed Sheeran, will receive the BMI President's Award at the 2026 BMI London Awards. The private ceremony takes place on 28 September at The Dorchester in London, hosted by BMI CEO Mike O'Neill alongside senior BMI executives, and recognises McDaid's two-decade career shaping some of the era's most successful songs.
McDaid, 50, originally from Derry, moved to London as a teenager to busk before building a career writing for artists including Sheeran, BTS, P!nk, Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson. His work with Sheeran includes "Shape of You" — the first song to reach 2 billion Spotify streams, now past 5 billion, and 13 times platinum in the US — as well as "Photograph", "Shivers" and "Bad Habits". He holds two Grammy nominations, two Ivor Novello awards and 17 BMI Awards, and joins past President's Award recipients such as Taylor Swift, Noel Gallagher and Ellie Goulding.
- Johnny McDaid to receive BMI President's Award on 28 September in London
- Honours his songwriting career with Ed Sheeran and others
- Co-wrote global hits including "Shape of You" and "Bad Habits"
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BMI is a US organisation that collects and distributes royalties to songwriters and music publishers when their music is played or performed. Its London awards recognise songwriters whose work has had a significant impact in the UK and beyond.
Johnny McDaid is a songwriter and musician from Derry, best known as a member of Snow Patrol and for writing songs with other artists. His collaborators include Ed Sheeran, and he has also written for performers such as BTS, P!nk and Alicia Keys.
McDaid’s work spans pop hits and songs released by Snow Patrol, connecting him with both performing and behind-the-scenes sides of the music industry. The BMI President’s Award has previously gone to songwriters and performers including Taylor Swift, Noel Gallagher and Ellie Goulding.