Music and Politics connect to support music musicians and music producers! Representatives of the worlds of music and politics will come together at The Recording Academy®'s 2016 GRAMMYs on the Hill® Awards to honor three-time GRAMMY® winners Zac Brown Band, who will receive the Recording Artists' Coalition® Award for their musical achievements and commitment to philanthropic causes, including Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground, the Boot Campaign, City of Hope, MusiCares, and the USO. And the Recording Academy will honor Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), , and Thomas J. Rooney (R-Fla.), co-sponsors of the Allocation For Music Producers Act (H.R. 1457), also known as the AMP Act, a bill that would streamline how producers receive performance royalties. Both legislators are being recognized for their support and understanding of vital issues impacting music creators.
Known as "Washington's most interesting mix of music and politics," the awards presentation takes place on Wednesday, April 13 at the Hamilton Live in Washington D.C., and will feature unique live performances and musical surprises. The sold-out celebration will begin with a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by the awards presentation.
Attending is a who’s who of music luminaries, including GRAMMY-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams, country singer/guitarist Josh Abbott, Robert "Kool" Bell of GRAMMY winners Kool & the Gang, songwriter/producer Evan Bogart, David Bromberg, GRAMMY winning songwriter/producer Bryan Michael Cox, R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn, GRAMMY winner Kendra Foster, Ginuwine, singer/songwriter/guitarist Warren Haynes of GRAMMY winners the Allman Brothers, songwriter/producer Rodney Jerkins, contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher, singer/songwriter and San Francisco Chapter Board Advisor Ledisi, GRAMMY winner Ramsey Lewis, songwriter/producer and The Academy's National Advocacy Committee co-chair Harvey Mason Jr., singer/songwriter Eddie Money, singer/songwriter Anna Nalick, GRAMMY winner Smokey Robinson, Ed Roland of Collective Soul, GRAMMY winner Jon Secada, Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge, gospel artist Richard Smallwood, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, hip-hop artist and Texas Chapter Trustee Paul Wall, and rapper Wale. The event will be hosted by country and bluegrass singer/songwriter and radio host Jim Lauderdale.
"Zac Brown Band is an excellent example of creative artists making a difference not only in music, but in the world of philanthropy at large," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "It's our pleasure to recognize their dedication at our 2016 GRAMMYs on the Hill event."
"The Academy is pleased to honor Congressmen Crowley and Rooney, whose sponsorship of the AMP Act and the Fair Play Fair Pay Act demonstrates their understanding and support of crucial parity issues for music professionals at a pivotal time for music legislation in Washington," Portnow continued.
On April 14, the day after the awards ceremony, The Recording Academy will bring hundreds of music professionals from across the country to visit with lawmakers to advance policies for American music as part of The Academy's annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day. The program is the music community's largest annual advocacy day in Washington, D.C.
For more about The Academy's Advocacy & Public Policy initiatives, please visit www.grammy.com/Advocacy.