Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Paul Williams, Trisha Yearwood, and Garth Brooks.
ASCAP presented its Centennial Awards to Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Stephen Sondheim and Stevie Wonder on Monday, Nov. 17, at a gala party at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, in celebration of ASCAP’s historic 100th anniversary.
The event was hosted by ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, and included special guest artists who performed in tribute to the honorees.
Sting and Chris Botti teamed up for a performance of “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” before introducing the evening’s first honoree, Billy Joel. Trisha Yearwood paid tribute to her husband Garth Brooks before proceeding with a performance of “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Garth humbly accepted his award before performing his new song “I Am A Song,” for the first time. Bernadette Peters performed “Children Will Listen” in honor of Stephen Sondheim before Emmylou Harris paid a heartfelt tribute to Joan Baez by singing “Diamonds And Rust.”
Stevie Wonder was the evening’s final honoree. He was welcomed to the stage with a five-song medley by India.Arie, which featured songs including “Rocket Love,” “Blame It On The Sun” and “I Just Called To Say I Love You.” Stevie brought the entire crowd to its feet with a powerhouse performance of “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and “Superstition.”
Other musical luminaries in attendance included ASCAP Board member and songwriter Valerie Simpson, Bill Withers, Chris Botti, Ne-Yo, Freddy Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Holly Knight, Eric Bazilian, Elizabeth Chan, Barry Eastman, Andreas Carlsson, ASCAP Board members Desmond Child and Jimmy Webb, Felix Cavaliere, Rudy Perez and more.
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