ASCAP hosts an 80th birthday tribute to Tony Bennett in D.C. and talks to Congress about copyright legislation
 |
(l-r): Tony Bennett, ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman |
On April 4, ASCAP hosted a special 80th birthday tribute on Capitol Hill to member and legendary vocalist Tony Bennett. The event was a tremendous success, and close to 300 guests, including legislators, their staffers and many of ASCAP�s friends, were treated to an outstanding evening of musical performances by an array of writers and artists: Patti Austin, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jack Jones, Ben E. King, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Dianne Reeves, Jimmy Webb, Michael Feinstein, Sandy Stewart & Bill Charlap, Alan Bergman and John Pizzarelli, Jr.
The next day, members of ASCAP�s Board of Directors and senior management, along with select ASCAP constituent members, walked the halls of Congress and met with targeted legislators to discuss a variety of legislative issues that directly affect songwriters and composers. A special lunch was held on the Hill, and featured visits from Senators Bob Bennett (R-UT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Cornyn (R-TX).
Featured speakers at a dinner that evening were Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The series of ASCAP-sponsored legislative events was concluded with a breakfast the following morning at which House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA), addressed the group of attendees. The two days on Capitol Hill were extremely beneficial and garnered significant visibility for ASCAP writers and publishers and the Society�s efforts to protect the rights of music creators.
