Motown recording artist Donnie peforms for a packed house in Atlanta.

In the fall, the fourth installment of the ASCAP Presents...Heineken Ampt Music Series and Festival rolled into New York, Atlanta, Detroit and Chicago. Expanded this year to include panels featuring top music executives and celebrity interviews, the series is designed to bring the best in emerging performers and songwriters to the attention of both the music industry and the public, and to celebrate the accomplishments of local music scenes around the country.

As part of this year’s program, ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul and Pop/Rock Departments joined forces to showcase groundbreaking artists and bands whose music reaches across genres and appeals to hip-hop, rock, funk R&B and pop fans alike.

In addition, Heineken Ampt/ASCAP Recognition Awards were presented in three cities, calling attention to the contributions of key music industry players to the local music scene. In New York City, the legendary Gil Scott-Heron received an award; in Detroit, producer Don Was, WRIF’s Doug Podell and songwriter Luis Resto, all received honors. In Chicago, the honor went to WGCI/WVAZ’s Elroy R.C. Smith.

The ASCAP Presents...Heineken Ampt Music Series and Festival initiated by ASCAP and Heineken USA, debuted in the fall of 2000. Since its inception, this unique series has featured some of the best local bands and singer/songwriters from Austin, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Portland (OR), New Orleans, Nashville, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Memphis, Orlando and Raleigh.