Event to Benefit New York Chapter Education and Community Outreach Efforts

NEW YORK (October 27, 2003) — The New York Chapter of the Recording Academy® has selected Rubén Blades, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Frances Preston, Nile Rodgers, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil as its 2003 New York Chapter Heroes Awards recipients, it was announced today. Rap producer Timbaland will be receiving the first New York Chapter Heroes Impact Award for outstanding achievement. The VIP dinner gala, which attracts recording artists, actors and key entertainment industry executives, will be held on Thursday, December 11 at the Roosevelt Hotel. BMI is co-sponsor of the event with ASCAP as a participating sponsor. The proceeds from this year's Heroes Awards dinner will be dedicated to the education and community outreach programs of the New York Chapter.

Recording Academy President Neil Portnow, Recording Academy Chairman of the Board Daniel Carlin, New York Chapter President and GRAMMY®-nominated songwriter Phil Galdston, and New York Executive Director Jon Marcus also will participate in the program. Other presenters and participants will be announced shortly.

In its eighth year, the Heroes Awards honors outstanding individuals whose creative talents and accomplishments cross all musical boundaries and who are integral to the vitality of the music community. The Heroes Award is the highest honor bestowed by the New York Chapter and recipients embody the high standards of excellence and integrity that the Academy champions and promotes. For the first time, the Chapter will present the Heroes Impact Award (to Timbaland) for outstanding achievement by a recording industry professional in the early stage of his/her career.

Rubén Blades is one of the most successful vocalists in the history of Latin music. In addition to his success as a GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY®-winning recording artist, Blades has balanced his musical career with acting and writing songs for films including Crossover Dreams, The Milagro Beanfield War, The Josephine Baker Story and Crazy From The Heart.

Daryl Hall and John Oates (Hall & Oates) are one of the most successful duos in history. With a string of hits that include "Rich Girl," "Kiss On My List," "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" and "Maneater," their music adhered to soul traditions and incorporated elements of new wave, hard and reflected a strong R&B influence.

BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston is a staunch supporter of the rights of songwriters, composers and publishers, having vigorously supported the fight for legislation to assure fair compensation. She has selflessly volunteered her time and effort to many of America's most worthy charities, and currently serves as President of the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research. In 1998, Preston received the Recording Academy's Trustees Award, which is the highest award given by the Recording Academy to a non-performer.

Nile Rodgers was half of the premier '70s production/performance team (along with Bernard Edwards) that was the heart and soul of Chic. Rodgers wrote and produced major hits for Chic, Sister Sledge ("We Are Family"), Diana Ross ("Upside Down"), and many others.

The GRAMMY-winning husband and wife team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil played an integral part in the success of the Brill Building sound and its dominance of the pop charts in the early '60s. Mann and Weil co-authored some of the classic hits of the 1960s, including "On Broadway," "Uptown," "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place."

Timbaland became one of the hottest rap producers in the late '90s, balancing an astute hit making sense with his unique production style. Timbaland has produced a series of hits for Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Ginuwine, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Nas and Justin Timberlake. As a result of his exceptional success as a producer, Timbaland established his own record label, Beat Club, and has begun unveiling his own stable of artists.

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as the Recording Academy, is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. An organization of musicians, producers and other recording professionals, the Recording Academy is internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach, professional development, cultural enrichment, education and human services programs. Through its extensive program of initiatives and member benefits, the New York Chapter continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to not only serving its musician and music industry constituency, but also to connecting and participating with the community at large. For more information, please visit www.grammy.com.

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Event Contact:
Jon Marcus
New York Chapter
212.245.5440

Media Contacts:
Heather Medure
Recording Academy
310.392.3777

Jody Miller
JLM Public Relations
212.431.5227