The Songwriters Hall of Fame, dedicated to recognizing the work and lives of those composers and lyricists who create popular music, held its 35th Annual Dinner and Induction Ceremony & Awards in New York City in June.

ASCAP songwriter, composer, and publisher members India.Arie, Burt Bacharach, Garth Brooks, Cedric the Entertainer, Jamie Cullum, Hal David, Roberta Flack, Jimmy Jam, Mick Jones, Jonny Lang, Michael McDonald, Brian McKnight, Rob Thomas, Stevie Wonder and Warner/ Chappell's Les Bider were among the presenters, performers and honorees attending the evening's festivities, which was telecast on the Bravo Network.

Stevie Wonder was presented with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award, which honors a songwriter who has previously been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and who has continued to establish a history of outstanding creative work. As part of the tribute, neo-soul sensation India.Arie joined Wonder on stage to perform "Visions,"  and Jonny Lang brought the audience to their feet with his rendition of "Livin' For The City."

ASCAP Board Director Jimmy Jam and Foreigner guitarist/composer Mick Jones were on hand to present Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas with the inaugural Starlight Award, established to honor gifted songwriters in the early years of their careers who are making a significant impact via their original songs. Thomas performed "3 a.m." from the 1996 Matchbox Twenty album Yourself or Someone Like You.

Les Bider, Chairman & CEO of Warner/ Chappell Music Inc. was honored with the Abe Olman Publisher Award, and "What The World Needs Now Is Love,"  written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was named Towering Song.

British jazz piano star Jamie Cullum performed "All At See" from his album Twentysomething, which was released in the US last month, as part of a tribute to Michael Goldstein, Chairman, Toys 'R Us Children's Fund, Inc. who was honored with the Patron of the Arts Award.

For more information, visit the Songwriters Hall of Fame website at: http://www.songwritershalloffame.org.

Jonny Lang, India.Arie, Johnny Mercer Award honoree Stevie Wonder
and Michael McDonald.

(l-r) Chairman and CEO of Famous Music Corporation Irwin Z. Robinson; Abe Oleman Publisher Award honoree and Chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Les Bider; EVP and General Manager of Warner Brothers Music Jay Morgenstern and Chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing Martin Bandier.

Brian McKnight

"What The World Needs Now Is Love," written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, was named The Towering Song. Pictured (l-r) are Hal David and his wife Eunice, Barbara LoFrumento and ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento.

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks.

ASCAP's Tom DeSavia and Todd Brabec, Starlight Award honoree Rob Thomas and John LoFrumento.

John LoFrumento and Mick Jones of Foreigner.