BILL WITHERS TO BE HONORED AT 19TH ANNUAL ASCAP RHYTHM & SOUL MUSIC AWARDS

Bill Withers has sung his way into the hearts of millions of fans worldwide with such memorable classics as Ain't No Sunshine, Grandma's Hands, I Want To Spend the Night,In The Name Of Love, Just The Two Of Us, Lean On Me, Lovely Day and Use Me, to name a few. He has received nine Grammy Award nominations, and won three for Best R&B Song for Ain't No Sunshine, Just The Two Of Us, and for the re-recording of Lean On Me by Club Nouveau.

He has received a Clio Award, two NAACP Image Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. His music and unique voice have been used in countless television and radio commercials, motion pictures and television programs, and his songs have been recorded by hundreds of artists from a variety of genres including Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, Sting, Will Smith, Lionel Hampton, The Temptations, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Mick Jagger and Crystal Gayle, just to name a few.

"Bill's music and lyrics have extraordinary accessibility and universal appeal making him one of America's premier singer/songwriters," said Marilyn Bergman. "The ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award is an honor that he richly deserves." The ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award is given to ASCAP members who have had a major impact on the legacy of Rhythm and Soul music. Bill Withers joins a select group of recipients including Peabo Bryson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Rick James and Chaka Khan.

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 240,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP also represents the repertories created by the international affiliates of 70 foreign performing rights organizations. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members