James Taylor To Be Honored With ASCAP Founders Award

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts) - Singer-songwriter James Taylor will be the recipient of the American Society Of Composers, Authors, And Publishers' (ASCAP) prestigious Founders Award during the organization's 19th annual Pop Music Awards May 20 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

The ASCAP Founders Award is presented to "pioneering songwriters who have made exceptional contributions to music."

Throughout his career, Taylor has been recognized as both a recording artist and a talented songwriter--he's a member of both the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, and has won multiple Grammys and earned numerous gold and platinum records. Taylor's extensive repertoire includes "Fire And Rain," "Sweet Baby James," "You're Smiling Face," "Copperline," and "Mexico."

Lyricist Marilyn Bergman, president and chairman of ASCAP, said of Taylor's honor, "James Taylor is a truly defining American musical voice--as both a singer and songwriter. Since his breakthrough with 'Fire And Rain,' he has succeeded in translating the personal into the universal with eloquence and beauty, to the delight of millions of fans worldwide. His modest manner belies the fact that he has been and remains a major musical force for decades. We are proud to honor him with the ASCAP Founders Award."

Previous recipients of the ASCAP Founders Award include Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Stephen Sondheim, Billy Joel, Steely Dan, Tom Waits, Andre Previn, and the songwriting teams of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and Burt Bacharach and Hal David.