Playback Magazine

Over an acclaimed composing career stretching nearly 25 years, Scottish composer Patrick Doyle has brought many of the world's most beloved characters to musical life on the silver screen, from Hamlet to Harry Potter. Just before he earned the prestigious ASCAP Henry Mancini Award, we asked him to reflect on his journey so far.

Julian Lennon sat for an entertaining and enlightening discussion with NightBird Studios' Jed Leiber on Friday, June 14th that was broadcast live as a Google+ Hangout. Watch the 20 minute interview in its entirety.

Four-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter Josh Kear (Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood) fired back at Pandora's recent op-ed in Washington DC's The Hill. The bottom line? Pandora is stiffing songwriters. Read his full response.

Pandora ran an op-ed in The Hill yesterday attacking ASCAP's efforts to protect fair compensation for its members from the online music streaming service. Read ASCAP President and Chairman and songwriter Paul Williams's response here.

Paul Williams delivered a powerful keynote at the CISAC World Creators Summit in DC yesterday. He spoke passionately and pointedly about what it means to be a creator in today’s challenging digital environment. Read the full speech.

On June 3rd, WhyHunger celebrated its 38th annual awards dinner in Manhattan. ASCAP President Paul Williams presented artist Yoko Ono Lennon with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for her efforts to raise money for the world’s poor.

LeAnn Rimes has created perhaps the most intimate album of her career with Spitfire, her eleventh studio effort and a brave response to the public critics of her private life. These honest, unapologetic and emotionally complex songs offer an intimate peek into her recent struggles. Spitfire is due out on June 4th; preview it here now.

Hit ASCAP songwriter David Gamson stopped by the ASCAP offices to pick up his #1 plaque for "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)." The song, the title track from Kelly Clarkson's fifth album, topped the Billboard charts for three weeks in February of 2012.

Acclaimed ASCAP composer Sharon Farber continued her longtime dedication to education by presenting a film scoring master class, hosted by LA Women in Music. The class went deep into the art and business of writing to picture, and was attended by several distinguished musical guests.

Elite ASCAP composers gathered to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Varèse Sarabande, the leading label for recorded film music. Composers Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, John Debney, Austin Wintory, Mike Einziger (Incubus) and more were on hand to pay tribute to the venerable imprint.

The ASCAP Vanguard Award recognizes the impact of musical genres that help shape the future of American music. Past honorees include Beastie Boys, Taio Cruz, Diplo, Janelle Monáe and Santigold.

Grace Kelly is a talented young saxophonist, singer-songwriter and bandleader whose first live recording, Live At Scullers, displays great range and adventurousness. The album features original jazz and pop songs, as well as standards, and blends melody-driven saxophone, sensuous singing and dramatic arrangements.

Pianist-composer Emily Bear held an album release party on Wednesday, May 15th to celebrate her debut effort, Diversity. Living proof that big things come in small packages, Emily stunned attendees with an intimate performance of material both old and new.

ASCAP member Ray Manzarek, founding keyboardist and songwriter for the Doors, and later a notable solo artist and record producer, died at age of 74 in Germany on May 20th.

On this season's All-Star Celebrity Apprentice finale, Donald Trump named ASCAP member Trace Adkins the big winner. But the real winner is the American Red Cross, the charity Adkins was playing for. In the last episode, Adkins raised $564K to add to his total of $1.5 million to be donated to the charity.

The Great Gatsby enjoyed one of the year's biggest opening weekends at the box office so far. The Monday after Gatsby debuted in theaters, the Recording Academy and Warner Bros. Pictures co-presented a screening and panel discussion with ASCAP writer-producer Rick Nowels and music executives Darren Higman and Tony Seyler, all of whom contributed to the film's ambitious soundtrack.

JCBUS's third album is a bit of leap for the Chicago-based, Bloodshot Records band, featuring more intimate songwriting and a wider sonic palette than in earlier efforts. The result is an indefinable mix of soul, funk and rock with lyrics that tackle the messiness of modern love. Preview Howl now in this ASCAP Audio Portrait.

ASCAP's top Christian music songwriters and publishers were honored on Mon., May 6th in Franklin, TN. Renowned songwriter and guitarist Phil Keaggy received the ASCAP Golden Note Award and top honorees included Songwriter/Artist of the Year Matthew West, Song of the Year writer Matt Redman & Publisher of the Year Capitol CMG.

The two ASCAP composers have been granted this prestigious title as part of a nationwide initiative to expand artistic and personal freedom for creative leaders in the fields of jazz, contemporary dance and theatre.