Washington, DC (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) Music and politics unite at The Recording Academy's 2014 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards where seven-time GRAMMY winners
Lady Antebellum will be presented with the Recording Artists' Coalition Award (named for The Academy's artists' rights program founded by
Don Henley and Sheryl Crow), while House of Representatives majority whip
Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will also be honored for their support and understanding of music creators' unique role in American life. Known as "Washington's most interesting mix of music and politics," the event will take place on Wednesday, April 2, at The Hamilton Live in D.C., and will include live performances and one-of-a-kind tributes.
In addition, Westfield Academy and Central School (Westfield, N.Y.) music teacher Kent Knappenberger, the recipient of the inaugural
Music Educator Award™, presented by The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation®, will be acknowledged for his dedication to music education. The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards are sponsored by SESAC, and proceeds from the event will benefit the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY® Signature Schools, which provides support for underserved music programs throughout the country. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's Advocacy social networks on Twitter (@TRAinDC) and Facebook.
"We are proud to honor
Lady Antebellum for their artistry and inventiveness in the country arena as well as their philanthropic efforts to make a difference for disadvantaged children here and abroad," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "The Academy is also pleased to honor House leaders McCarthy and Pelosi for their tireless support of music, and we look forward to another incredible evening in our nation's capital."
The high-profile celebration at The Hamilton Live will be attended by members of the recording and entertainment industries, including GRAMMY-winning group Los Lonely Boys, pop trio Hanson,
Wesley Schultz (of folk rock group The Lumineers), SESAC hit songwriters Gary Burr and
Victoria Shaw, pop music legend and five-time GRAMMY winner Dionne Warwick, and many others, in addition to numerous Washington luminaries and policymakers. The celebration will begin with a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by the awards presentation.
GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day — April 3
The day after the awards ceremony, The Recording Academy will host GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, where hundreds of music professionals from across the country will visit with lawmakers to advance policies that improve the environment for American music. Now in its 10th year, the program is the music community's only annual advocacy day in Washington, D.C.
