New York NARAS Heroes Awards

The New York Chapter of the Recording Academy celebrated its prestigious VIP dinner gala in December, where legendary Latin songwriter/artist Ruben Blades received a Hero Award. Famed rap songwriter/ artist/producer Timbaland received the first Heroes Impact Award for outstanding achievement by a recording industry professional in the early stage of his/her career. Proceeds from this event were dedicated to the education and community outreach programs of the New York Chapter. Pictured at the NARAS Heroes Awards are (l-r) Timbaland and Blades.

Texas Association of Broadcasters 50th Anniversary

ASCAP's Randy Paul presented a plaque honoring the Texas Association of Broadcasters on their 50th Anniversary to Association President Ben Downs and Executive Director Ann Arnold at their recent convention in Austin, Texas. Pictured (l-r) are Arnold, Downs and Paul.

Graham Signs with ASCAP

Senator Bob Graham (D-Florida) recently signed with ASCAP as a writer member. Senator Graham is pictured seated in ASCAP’s Miami office at the signing with (l-r) ASCAP’s Karl Avanzini, Alexandra Lioutikoff and composer Frank Loconto. Senator Graham is the second U.S. Senator, after Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to join ASCAP.

Paulus World Premiere

Pictured (l-r) are Conductor Osmo Vanska, composer and ASCAP Board member Stephen Paulus, trumpet soloists Manny Laureano and Principal Pops Conductor Doc Severinsen as they took their bows at the world premiere of Paulus's Concerto for Two Trumpets and Orchestra with the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis in November. Paulus served as the Minnesota Orchestra's first composer-in-residence.

Arlo Guthrie Tribute to Harold Leventhal

At Arlo Guthrie’s annual Thanksgiving concert at Carnegie Hall in November, Guthrie was joined by several special guests in paying tribute to the legendary folk music manager Harold Leventhal. Pictured (l-r) backstage at Carnegie are Mary Travers, Harold Leventhal, ASCAP’s Seth Saltzman, Nora Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, ASCAP’s Sue Devine, Jackie Guthrie and Joady Guthrie.

Briley's Day

Martin Briley was recently presented an RIAA award for Celine Dion's “When the Wrong One Loves You Right” (written with Francis Galluccio and Marjorie May) for worldwide sales of 8 million at ASCAP's New York headquarters. Briley is currently signed to Paul McCartney's MPL Music Publishing, Inc. and is the 2004 ASCAP Songwriter in Residence at the Berklee College of Music. Pictured (l-r) are ASCAP's Tom DeSavia, Briley and ASCAP’s Loretta Muñoz.

Black Caucus

Two of the legendary siblings of Jazz, drummer Elvin Jones and pianist Hank Jones, were featured performers at the ASCAP-sponsored Congressional Black Caucus Jazz Concert in Washington, DC. Pictured greeting Elvin Jones at the event are ASCAP's Esther SanSaurus (left) and Gardine Hailes of the lobbying firm of Palumbo and Cerrell.

The Long Way for Anna Wilson

Nashville-based singer/ songwriter Anna Wilson, who was in New York to support her new album, The Long Way, (Curb Records) stopped into ASCAP’s New York offices to meet with ASCAP’s Loretta Muñoz. Pictured (l-r) are Muñoz and Wilson.

Summerstage Songwriters

In September, BMG Music Service, with ASCAP and WFUV Radio, sponsored an accoustic evening with singer/songwriters featuring Shawn Colvin, Dar Williams, Patty Griffin and Mary Chapin Carpenter at New York’s Central Park Summerstage. Pictured above (l-r) are ASCAP’s Loretta Muñoz, Williams, Griffin, BeMusic President Stuart Goldfarb, Colvin, Carpenter and ASCAP’s Lauren Iossa.

Rocky Mountain Folk Festival

ASCAP sponsored the Songwriters Showcase kicking off the 2003 Rocky Mountain Folk Fest in Lyons, Colorado. Festival performances featured Norah Jones, Patty Griffin, Dar Williams, Darrell Scott, Alice Peacock, Vance Gilbert, Christine Kane, Steve Seskin, The Nields, Greg Brown and the Indigo Girls. Prize money and Taylor guitars were awarded to ten songwriter finalists. This year, sharing the top prize in a tie were Zoe Lewis and Brian Joseph. ASCAP also participated in teaching classes at the Song School the week prior to the festival. Pictured are top prize winners Zoe Lewis (left) and Brian Joseph (right) with ASCAP’s Brendan Okrent.

Newport Folk Festival

ASCAP was once again a sponsor of the Newport Folk Festival. ASCAP’s Sue Devine greeted several members backstage including (pictured at left) Joan Armatrading with Devine and, at right, Aimee Mann manager Michael Hausmann with Mann and Devine.

Clint Eastwood Honored by Henry Mancini Institute

Director/producer and ASCAP composer Clint Eastwood was the recipient of this year's Hank Award at the Henry Mancini Institute's annual Musicale held at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles on August 16. The tribute to Eastwood featured an orchestral performance by the Mancini Institute Orchestra of excerpts from several of his films including Bridges of Madison County, Bird and A Perfect World. Eastwood's award was presented by fellow ASCAP member Quincy Jones. The concert also featured performances by Bruce Broughton, Jorge Calandrelli Roger Kellaway, Arturo Sandoval and SOCAN's Diana Krall, among others.