ASCAP to Honor Stevie Wonder at All-Star Musical Tribute on Capitol Hill
India.Arie, Ashford & Simpson, Tony Bennett, Jon Faddis, Wyclef Jean, Wynonna Judd, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, Joan Osborne, Dianne Reeves and Smokey Robinson Salute Stevie in Song
| Source: ASCAP
NEW YORK, NY and WASHINGTON, DC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- March 13, 2007 -- The American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor Stevie Wonder with the
inaugural ASCAP American Troubadour Award during its annual "Songwriter
Night" to be held on Capitol Hill this evening. The prestigious award is
being presented to Mr. Wonder in recognition of his music, activism and
leadership, which have been a force for positive change.
ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman will host the invitation-only
reception and dinner in The Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office
Building in Washington, D.C. The event will be attended by Members of
Congress and Administration officials and will be highlighted by a musical
tribute to Mr. Wonder featuring friends and admirers from the songwriting
and performing world, including: India.Arie, Ashford & Simpson, Tony
Bennett, Jon Faddis, Wyclef Jean, Wynonna Judd, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight,
Joan Osborne, Dianne Reeves and Smokey Robinson.
With 26 Grammy Awards to his credit, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and scores of chart-topping
albums and singles, Stevie Wonder is inarguably one of the great forces in
American music. A musical prodigy, he emerged as Little Stevie Wonder, one
of the early Motown stars, in 1963. Since then he has contributed many
songs which have become embedded in the nation's musical consciousness,
including: "I Was Made to Love Her," "Uptight," "My Cherie Amour," "You Are
the Sunshine of My Life," "Superstition," "Living for the City," "Sir Duke"
and the Academy Award-winning "I Just Called to Say I Love You," among many
more.
Commenting on the award to Stevie Wonder, Marilyn Bergman said, "Stevie is
a consummate songwriter and musician whose art and life reflect a
generosity of spirit coupled with a desire for social justice and peace.
He is a uniquely gifted music creator and human being and we are privileged
to honor him and have so many distinguished performers on hand to celebrate
him with their own versions of his timeless songs."
ASCAP is, and has always been, the pioneer in fighting for the rights of
music creators in Congress and in the courts. The 93-year-old performing
rights society leads efforts to protect its members' rights by vigorously
opposing legislation that is harmful to creators, and by initiating changes
to the Copyright Law that will benefit creators. ASCAP keeps its members
informed of legislative matters that affect them and encourages their
involvement in these efforts. One way ASCAP does this is with their
grassroots efforts, which brings ASCAP members face to face with their
representatives in Congress so that they can articulate the importance of
copyright protection to their livelihood and lives.
"ASCAP's 'Songwriter Night' is held each year on Capitol Hill as a reminder
to lawmakers about the importance and value of the rights of songwriters
and composers. There is no better way to do that than by creating an
emotional connection with the power of music," said Marilyn Bergman.
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights
Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5
million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than
275,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP has
representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such
that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the
world. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by
licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and
distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only
American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer
and publisher members. www.ascap.com