TONY BENNETT TO RECEIVE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS

ASCAP member Tony Bennett will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2005 in recognition of his lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.

World-renowned as one of the most gifted artists of our time, Bennett has introduced countless songs into the popular repertory, including "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" "The Best Is Yet to Come" and "I Wanna Be Around," among many others. He has multiple Grammy Awards to his credit including a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2002, he received the ASCAP Pied Piper Award for his consummate musical artistry and extraordinary career as the foremost interpreter of the "Great American Songbook."

Bennett, along with fellow honorees, dancer and teacher Suzanne Farrell; actress Julie Harris; actor, director and producer Robert Redford; and singer Tina Turner, will be saluted by stars from the world of the performing arts at a gala performance in the Kennedy Center's Opera House on Sunday, December 4, 2005, which will be attended by the President of the United States and Mrs. Bush.

The Kennedy Center Honors will be bestowed the night before the gala on Saturday, December 3, at a State Department dinner, hosted by the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

The Honors Gala will be recorded for broadcast later in December on the CBS Network as a two-hour prime time special.

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