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Songwriters' Awarded at ASCAP's "I Create Music Expo"

By Pete Allman  

Songwriters from throughout the USA and abroad embark upon Hollywood at the Renaissance Hotel recently for ASCAP's "I Create Music Expo." More than 3,000 participants attending the seminars there were also able to enjoy the 25th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards honoring top hit creators.

ASCAP is the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

Among those members honored by the society were Lionel Richie and Steve Miller who received ASCAP's Golden Note Award and Sara Bareilles, recipient of the Vanguard award.

Timbaland, Songwriter of the Year, was honored for his contribution to nine award-winning songs "Give it To Me," "Ice Box," "Make Me Better," "My Love," "Say it Right," "Summer Love/Set the Mood," "The Way I Are," "Until the End of Time" and "What Goes Around, Comes Around."

Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson signs the ASCAP Bill of Rights for songwriters and Composers.

Song of the Year tied between "Big Girls Don't Cry," written by Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson and Toby Gad and "The Sweet Escape," written by Gwen Stefani, Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort.

Fergie also collected Pop Awards for "Glamorous" and "Fergalicious."

Among the top five most-performed songs recognized were "Irreplaceable," written by Beyonce Knowles, Mikkel Eriksen and Tor Hermansen, "It's Not Over," written by Gregg Wattenberg, and "Say It Right," written by Nelly Furtado (SOCAN) and Timbaland.

EMI was named Publisher of the Year.

One highlight of the evening was legendary songwriter-producer Quincy Jones, who was joined by ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman as they presented Richie with his award.

Quincy Jones, giant in the music industry has countless awards for music scores, albums, and songs.

Jones pointed out that although he believes Richie is a tremendous singer and live performer he also believes, as ASCAP does, that Lionel will be long remembered for his songs, including "Three Times a Lady."

The amazing thing about the expo is the large volume of information for the newcomer to the industry, as well as the pro. The expo is a weeklong series of activities to inspire, guide and celebrate the creative minds in music.

One attendee I interviewed, Lennna, says she has released five albums and credits part of her success to ASCAP and the companies she became familiar with at expos. For example, she learned about Sound Exchange, an organization that polices artists' songs and tracks where they are being played to ensure proper royalties.

Seminars dealt with marketing, songwriting techniques, online marketing, and featured renowned artists who made presentations, such as Jackson Browne and Bon Jovi. Steve Miller, in addition to being honored with his award, was a seminar speaker sharing his career insight with aspiring artists. The Steve Miller Band performed following a congratulatory taped presentation by guitar great Les Paul who instructed Miller from youth and mentored him ongoing.

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 315,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. Find out more about ASCAP and see a list of all Pop Awards given at www.ascap.com.

In an upcoming interview, music producers Battlecat and Sir Jinx, who attended the ASCAP expo, talk about the transition in hip-hop, where the music and lyrics comes from a negative point of view to a positive one. They will explain the origins and reasons for the controversial lyrics and the changes underway.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com