ASCAP Distributes Approximately $2.6 Million In ASCAPlus Cash Awards

Approximately $2.6 million in cash awards for 2005-2006 have been made to writer members of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) by the Society's ASCAPlus Awards Panels, it was announced today by ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman. The purpose of these special awards, which have been given each year since 1960, is to reward writers whose works have a unique prestige value for which adequate compensation would not otherwise be received, and to compensate those writers whose works are performed substantially in media not surveyed by ASCAP.

Commenting on the awards, Ms. Bergman said, "Since 1960, the unique ASCAPlus Awards program has provided deserving music creators with something meaningful and tangible in the form of recognition and money. I can attest to this personally because at an early stage of my career, I was a Special Awards recipient. As always, we are greatly indebted to each of our hard-working panelists for giving their time and effort to this important endeavor."

The members of the ASCAPlus Awards Panel are: Peter Filichia, drama critic for the (Newark) Star-Ledger; Michael Morgan, Conductor of the Oakland East Bay Symphony Orchestra; Melinda Newman, West Coast Bureau Chief of Billboard; Pat Prescott, veteran radio personality who currently co-hosts the morning show on KTWV ("The Wave") in Los Angeles; H. Robert Reynolds, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan; and Steve Smith, Classical Music Editor for Time Out New York.