The American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced today that
it will honor Neil Young with the prestigious ASCAP
Founders Award during the 22nd Annual
ASCAP Pop Music Awards gala. The invitation-only awards dinner will
take place on May 16th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
in Los Angeles, California. The event will also honor
the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most
performed songs of 2004.
The ASCAP Founders Award is one of the most distinguished
honors that the Society bestows upon its members, paying
tribute to pioneering songwriters who have made exceptional
contributions to music. Neil Young joins this select
group of songwriters and composers which includes Elvis
Costello, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan,
Paul McCartney, Tom Waits, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach & Hal
David, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, and Stevie
Wonder, to name a few.
With nearly fifty albums to his credit, Neil
Young has proved to be one of the most prominent and influential
artists of his time. Throughout his career, Neil
Young has touched on many different genres of music and vocal
styles. From folk and country to rock, from his days
with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and throughout his solo career and his many collaborations,
Young has delivered his prolific songwriting talents
and unique sound to decades of discerning music listeners.
He continues to be a major voice and influence in music
today.
A 1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Neil
Young has been writing, recording and performing songs for
more than 30 years creating such hits as "Heart
of Gold", "Cinnamon Girl", "Hey
Hey, My My," "Ohio," "Down by
the River," "Harvest Moon" and "Rockin
in the Free World."
"We are so proud to honor Neil Young this year with ASCAP's Founders
Award," said ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman. "Neil's
music has sent powerful messages to generations and his work is as meaningful
today as it was when his career began in the '60s."
The 2005 Pop Music Awards will also honor the songwriters and publishers
of
ASCAP's most performed songs of 2004. Special awards will be given to "Songwriter
of the Year," "Song of the Year," 'Publisher of the Year" in
addition to the presentation of the "College Vanguard Award," which
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.
