The National Music Publishers’ Association honored Billy Joel on June 17th for his contribution to songwriting and advocacy for those in his profession. After receiving the award, Billy took to the podium and said, “Songwriting really is the toughest part of the job.” LeAnn Rimes then performed a beautiful adaptation of his songs “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” and “She’s Got a Way.”
“We are beyond thrilled to pay tribute to Billy Joel for his immeasurable contribution to songwriting, and his endless work on behalf of those who hope to follow in his footsteps,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite in a statement. “Having LeAnn Rimes perform some of his hits is a tribute to the breadth of influence he has had across the industry.”
Founded in 1917, the NMPA is the trade association representing all American music publishers and their songwriting partners. Billy received the Songwriter Icon Award and a plaque commemorating his Gold and Platinum awards during the Association’s annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis in New York’s Times Square.
Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) was honored with the NMPA President’s Award in recognition of his leadership on the issues facing music publishers and songwriters in the Digital Age. Former ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento received the first-ever NMPA Industry Legacy Award for his achievements in support of creators, and Ralph Peer II received the Lifetime Service Award for his decades of success in the field of music publishing.
Read more at NMPA.org.
View exclusive photos in the National Music Publishers’ Association 2015 Gallery. Photos by Jeff Schock.
Billy Joel; Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group and NMPA board member; and NMPA President and CEO David Israelite at the National Music Publishers’ Association annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, on June 17, 2015.
Billy Joel and NMPA President and CEO David Israelite at the National Music Publishers’ Association annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, on June 17, 2015.
NMPA President and CEO David Israelite, and Lance Freed, President of Rondor Music International, hold the Songwriter Icon Award and a plaque commemorating Billy Joel’s Gold and Platinum awards at the Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, on June 17, 2015.
LeAnn Rimes performs “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” and “She’s Got a Way” with Carmine Giglio in honor of Billy Joel at the National Music Publishers’ Association annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, on June 17, 2015.