ASCAP's "I Create Music Week" to Celebrate the Voice of the Music Creator

Los Angeles / New York, March 13, 2007: ASCAP is hosting an entire week of events in Los Angeles this April to celebrate the voice of the music creator. ASCAP's "I Create Music Week" will bring together some of the industry's top songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers representing a broad array of genres, mediums and musical perspectives.

The week's packed schedule includes two major awards shows at the Kodak Theatre — the 24th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards honoring Melissa Etheridge and the 22nd annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards honoring Marc Shaiman — and the 2nd annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO, a three-day national conference dedicated to songwriting and composing, at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel.

In addition, through a partnership with i-SAFE Inc., the worldwide leader in Internet safety education, ASCAP has developed an interactive school assembly program titled "The Donny the Downloader Experience." This special program is aimed at educating middle school students on what it means to be a music creator – and the real cost of music piracy. A special "Donny the Downloader" assembly is being planned with a local Los Angeles school to round out the exciting activities surrounding ASCAP's "I Create Music Week."

"Everywhere we go there is music," said ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman. "It is one of the most pervasive and beloved aspects of our culture. And yet most music creators work behind the scenes. By presenting this important and unique slate of activities, ASCAP hopes to educate, showcase, connect and ultimately celebrate the people who create the music that enriches our lives."

Schedule at a Glance

Below is an overview of events planned for ASCAP's "I Create Music Week" in Los Angeles:

Tuesday, April 17, 2007:
22nd Annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards – Kodak Theatre

Composer Marc Shaiman will be honored with the prestigious ASCAP Henry Mancini Award for Career Achievement.
The event will also honor the composers of the top box office film music and the most performed television music of 2006.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007:
24th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Kodak Theatre

Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge will be honored with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award for her pioneering contributions to music.
The event will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed pop songs of 2006. Top awards will be given to "Songwriter of the Year," "Song of the Year" and "Publisher of the Year," in addition to the presentation of the "ASCAP Vanguard Award," which recognizes the impact of musical genres that help shape the future of American music.
Live performances by some of today's top songwriter-performers.

Thursday to Saturday, April 19 – 21, 2007:
2nd Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO – Hollywood Renaissance Hotel

A three-day event, dedicated to songwriting and composing, featuring a comprehensive array of panels, workshops, keynotes, master classes, song critiques, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances, and much more.
Special Welcome by Marilyn Bergman.
Exclusive interview with composer and songwriter Randy Newman.
Panelists include top music creators from every musical genre. Click here for a complete list.

Members of the press interested in attending one or more of these events, please download
the Credential Application Form here.

• ASCAP to Honor Marc Shaiman at 22nd Annual Film and Television Music Awards on April 17
• ASCAP to Honor Melissa Etheridge at 24th Annual Pop Music Awards on April 18

About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 275,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com

The worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters, composers and music publishers.