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Winners Circle
ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman and ASCAP Founders Award recipient Neil Young |
Rock legends and pop sensations were the toast of the town in Los Angeles when ASCAP presented its 22nd Annual Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton on May 16. Scott Storch was named Songwriter of the Year. OutKast's smash hit single "Hey Ya!" received Song of the Year honors, and EMI Music Publishing picked up the Publisher of the Year award. Special awards were handed out to Neil Young who received the ASCAP Founders Award, and to Jermaine "JD" Dupri who was honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award.
Hosted by ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman, over 700 leading songwriters, recording artists and music industry leaders gathered at the creative black tie gala to salute the songwriters behind some of today's most popular music as awards were presented to the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs of 2004. Among the honorees and notables in attendance were Neil Young, Jermaine Dupri, Usher, Mariah Carey, Scott Storch, Big Boi of OutKast, Sheryl Crow, Janet Jackson, Ashford & Simpson, Maya Angelou, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Indigo Girls, Twista, Mo Ostin, Clay Aiken, The Matrix's Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards & Scott Spock, Rick Nowels, John Shanks, Swizz Beatz, and Youngbloodz' J-Bo & Sean Paul.
ASCAP's Executive VP Todd Brabec, ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Scott Storch and ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman |
Songwriter, producer and musician Scott Storch was honored for his contributions on five award-winning songs: Beyonce's "Me, Myself and I," "Naughty Girl," and "Baby Boy" (featuring Sean Paul), "Can't Hold Us Down," performed by Christina Aguilera, and "Lean Back" by Terror Squad featuring Remy-Ma.
Ashford & Simpson delighted the audience with an outstanding performance of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." A Michael McDonald cover of the song earned Ashford & Simpson a place among the most performed ASCAP Pop songs of 2004.
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the ASCAP Founders Award to Neil Young. Renowned record executive Mo Ostin, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Neil Young in 2003, joined Marilyn Bergman on stage to present the award. Ostin signed Young to his first solo record deal while President of Warner- Reprise Records. Grammy award-winning Indigo Girls performed Young's "Down by the River" as part of the special tribute to Young.
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the ASCAP Golden Note Award to multi-talented songwriter, producer, artist and record label owner Jermaine "JD" Dupri in recognition of his groundbreaking achievements influencing the direction of American popular music and impacting the heart, soul and sound of pop music worldwide. In June, Dupri was also named Songwriter of the Year at ASCAP's Rhythm and Soul Awards in June.
Usher, ASCAP Golden Note honoree Jermaine Dupri and ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman |
Superstars Mariah Carey and Usher joined Marilyn Bergman on stage to pay tribute to their musical collaborator. Dupri has worked with Carey on a number of albums and has four songs on her current album, The Emancipation of Mimi, which is tearing up the Billboard charts. Dupri's work on Usher's multi-platinum album, Confessions, garnered four 2005 Grammy nominations for his songwriting and production work on charttoppers, "Burn," "Confessions Part II," and "My Boo."
The two-time multi-platinum single "Hey Ya!" received the coveted Song of the Year title. Written by OutKast's André 3000 Benjamin, this honor is awarded to the song with the most performance credits. The single, from OutKast's dual CD Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, earned the duo a Grammy Award in 2003 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. OutKast's Big Boi was on hand to accept the award, and also picked up awards for "Roses," and "The Way You Move."
Publisher of the Year honors were presented for the 11th time to EMI Music Publishing for their 17 award-winning songs: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Baby Boy," "Burn," "Calling All Angels," "Confessions Part II," "Dance With My Father," "I Don't Wanna Know," "If I Ain't Got You," "Pieces Of Me," "P.I.M.P.," "Slow Jamz," "Tipsy," "Toxic," "White Flag," "With You," "Yeah!," and "You Don't Know My Name." ASCAP's Todd Brabec presented the award to EMI Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier who was joined on stage by members of his creative team.
The 2005 ASCAP College Vanguard Award went to The Arcade Fire. This award recognizes the impact of new and developing musical genres that help shape the future of American music and which gain early popularity on college radio.
For full coverage of this event, visit our
2005 Pop Music Awards section >>>
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