Johnny McDaid to receive BMI President’s Award at 2026 BMI London Awards
Songwriter and Snow Patrol musician Johnny McDaid is to receive the BMI President's Award at the 2026 BMI London Awards, held at The Dorchester on 28 September. The private ceremony recognises the British and European songwriters and publishers behind the past year's most-performed songs across US streaming, radio, film, television and visual media, and BMI executives praised McDaid's melodic storytelling and decades-long impact on popular music.
Originally from Derry, McDaid busked in London as a teenager before becoming one of the industry's most sought-after collaborators, writing for artists including Ed Sheeran, BTS, P!nk and Alicia Keys. His Sheeran co-write Shape of You has passed five billion Spotify streams, while other hits such as Photograph and Bad Habits have also reached billions of streams; he holds 17 BMI Awards, two Ivor Novello wins and two GRAMMY nominations. He recently co-wrote tracks for the Backstreet Boys and KATSEYE, and joins past President's Award winners including Taylor Swift, Noel Gallagher and Brian Wilson.
- Johnny McDaid to receive BMI President's Award on 28 September in London
- Co-wrote Ed Sheeran hits including Shape of You, Bad Habits
- Holds 17 BMI Awards, two Ivor Novellos, two GRAMMY nods
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BMI is a US organisation that represents songwriters, composers and music publishers, and tracks how their music is used. Its London Awards recognise British and European creators whose songs have been widely played or streamed in the US and used in film, television and other media.
Johnny McDaid is a songwriter and member of the Northern Irish band Snow Patrol. He has also co-written songs with performers including Ed Sheeran, P!nk and Alicia Keys, making him part of the team behind hits as well as a recording artist in his own right.
The award places McDaid among previous recipients such as Taylor Swift and Noel Gallagher. It reflects the role songwriters play in creating music heard around the world, even when another artist performs it.