LOS ANGELES, CA. and NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ ASCAP) - The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced today that the Los Angeles City Council has issued a proclamation to declare the week of April 15 - 21, 2007 as "ASCAP I Create
Music Week" in Los Angeles, California. This special honor recognizes a full week of activities planned by ASCAP to educate, showcase, connect and ultimately celebrate the voice of the music creator.
"ASCAP I Create Music Week" includes an exciting roster of events, including: the 22nd annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards honoring the composers of the top box office film music and the most performed television music of 2006; the 24th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards honoring the songwriters and publishers of the most performed pop songs of 2006; and the 2nd Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO, a national conference dedicated to songwriting and composing.
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. Special "Donny the Downloader" assemblies are being planned at John Muir Middle School in Los Angeles on April 16 and Prentice School in Santa Ana on April 17 to round out the exciting activities surrounding "ASCAP I Create Music Week."
"From top songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers to the aspiring talents of music's next generation, Los Angeles has always been an important city for our ASCAP members," said Marilyn Bergman, ASCAP President and Chairman. "We're thrilled to receive this honor from the City and look forward to this inspirational week."
"Music and its creation are woven into the economic and social fabric of the City of Los Angeles," said Council President, Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council. "In fact, the Los Angeles area is home to one of the largest populations of successful music creators. Given that thousands of people are expected to visit Los Angeles for the slate of events planned to celebrate all aspects of music creation, the Los Angeles City Council is pleased to declare the week of April 15 to 21, 2007 'ASCAP I Create Music Week.'"
"ASCAP I Create Music Week" highlights include:
Monday, April 16
"Donny the Downloader" Assembly at John Muir Middle School (Los Angeles)
Tuesday, April 17
"Donny the Downloader" Assembly at Prentice School (Santa Ana)
22nd Annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards (Kodak Theatre)
Honoring the composers of the top box office film music and the most performed television music of 2006.
- Composer Marc Shaiman will be honored with the ASCAP Henry Mancini Award for Career Achievement.
- Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner and Marissa Jaret Winokur ("Hairspray") will participate in the special tribute to Shaiman.
Wednesday, April 18
24th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards (Kodak Theatre)
Honoring the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed pop songs of 2006.
- Melissa Etheridge will be honored with the ASCAP Founders Award for her pioneering contributions to music.
- All-American Rejects will be presented with the ASCAP Vanguard Award in recognition of the impact of musical genres that help shape the future of American music.
- Johnta Austin, Kelly Clarkson and Jermaine Dupri to receive special recognition.
- Performances by All-American Rejects, The Fray, Nick Lachey, Anna Nalick, and Darrell Brown, Ty Lacy & Dennis Matkosky.
Thursday, April 19
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.
- "I Create Music" Opening Keynote ASCAP President and Chairman and three-time Academy Award-winning songwriter Marilyn Bergman will address the role of the music creator in the modern and rapidly changing music industry.
- You've Got a Friend in Me - A Conversation with Randy Newman In this special session, Randy Newman will field questions from author Paul Zollo, and with a grand piano at the ready, show and tell - as only he can - how he creates his music.
- "We Create Music" Panel Featuring John Corigliano, Dre & Vidal, Jermaine Dupri and John Shanks. This superpanel of songwriters, producers and composers will join together to examine the shared experience - the joy and the pain - of pursuing a career in music.
- Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Master Session Drawing on a 35-year friendship and a 25 year creative and business partnership, Jam and Lewis will give valuable insight into their writing/producing and decision-making processes and will reveal what it takes to build and maintain a successful long-term collaboration.
- TV Composer Confessions: Creating Music For Today's Hottest Shows A diverse group of top TV composers - Jeff Cardoni ("CSI: Miami," "30 Days"); Michael Levine ("Cold Case," "Close To Home"); Blake Neely ("Brothers & Sisters," "Starter for Ten"); David Vanacore ("Survivor," "Nanny 911") - will discuss the daily challenges of creating music for today's popular weekly sit-coms, dramas and reality shows, as well as their experience and goals in composing for other media. Learn how to prepare for a career in one of music's most demanding genres.
- I Create Music: Center Stage (The Highlands) Michelle Shocked, J.D. Souther and Jimmy Webb will give acoustic performances of some of their best-loved songs. Hosted by John Rich.
Friday, April 20
2nd Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO (Hollywood Renaissance Hotel)
- American Songbook: Built to Last Panel Featuring Hal David, J.D. Souther and Bill Withers. Learn how these masterful writers created the songs beloved by so many around the world and discover how you can address universal themes in your own work in fresh, engaging and ultimately timeless ways.
- Writing Songs for Film: Marrying the Image Lyricwriting partners Alan and Marilyn Bergman have created some of the most memorable and lauded songs for film, television and musical theater. In this session, they will discuss the fine art of writing on assignment for film; illuminating their process and crafting not just a great song, but one that also moves a story, sets a mood and defines a character.
- Hitmakers This panel of hit songwriters will share their individual stories on their road to success and the hard-earned truths they've learned along the way. While their music may be different in style, they will explore the common ground that all successful music creators must tread when reaching for the top of the charts. Featuring Kandi Burruss, Mike Elizondo, Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Matt Serletic and The Underdogs (Damon Thomas & Harvey Mason Jr.).
- Johnny Mandel Master Session with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Renowned L.A. bandleader Gordon Goodwin will first engage Mandel in a discussion of his creative process. Then, Mandel will lead some of L.A.'s finest musicians in an extraordinary live lesson in orchestration and arrangement.
- ASCAP Presents...Quiet on the Set This special EXPO presentation of ASCAP's renowned Quiet on the Set series will feature acoustic sets by some of ASCAP's most successful singer-songwriters, including: Marshall Crenshaw, Rhett Miller, Sam Phillips, Matt Scannell and special guest Jimmy Webb.
- ASCAP Presents...Nashville in L.A. (The Highlands) A group of top Nashville-based writers will perform their songs and talk about their music in this intimate "writers in the round" showcase. Performances by: Dave Berg, Brett James, Dennis Matkosky and John Rich.
Saturday, April 21
2nd Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO (Hollywood Renaissance Hotel)
- Funny Money: Writing Comedy Music It has been said that comedians are the new rock stars. Alf Clausen ("The Simpsons," "Moonlighting"), Kevin McDonald ("The Kids in the Hall Show," "Hammy and the Kids"); Seth MacFarlane ("Family Guy," "American Dad"); Tim & Eric ("Tom Goes to the Mayor," "Tim & Eric Awesome Show") are both funny and great music creators, and they've found a way to combine humor and music in their successful careers. Learn how they use the medium of music to make people laugh and make a living at the same time. Also, find out how to find and build an audience for your particular brand of comedy music.
- Desmond Child Master Session Whether it's "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" or "Livin' La Vida Loca," practically everyone has heard or sung along to a Desmond Child song. Child returns to the EXPO to share his experience, knowledge and insight with his fellow music creators.
- Wizards of Song: The Songwriter-Producers Some of modern music's most successful songwriter-producers will share the stories behind the creation of their hits and will perform their works live for the audience, giving a thrilling demonstration of their powers. Featuring Glen Ballard, Graham Edwards, Mark Hudson, Rudy Perez and Don Was.
For the complete ASCAP EXPO schedule, please visit www.ascap.com/expo/
