ALICIA KEYS, BOB GOODLATTE AND JERROLD NADLER HONORED AT GRAMMYS ON THE HILL DAY

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Advocacy Day for Music Makers Will Take Place on Capitol Hill April 16

 

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 15: Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow and First Lady Michelle Obama present GRAMMY-winning artist, songwriter, and producer Alicia Keys with with the Recording Artists' Coalition Award during the 2015 GRAMMYs ON THE HILL AWARDS at The Hamilton on April 15, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage for NARAS)

Music and politics unite at The Recording Academy^®'s 2015 GRAMMYs on the Hill^® Awards where GRAMMY^®-winning artist/songwriter/producer Alicia Keys was presented with the Recording Artists' Coalition^® Award (named for the artists' rights program founded by Don Henley and Sheryl Crow), while House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) was also honored for their support and understanding of music creators' unique role in American life.

"Tonight, let's pledge to use magnificent music to bring about healing among us,"said Alicia Keys while being recognized for her contribution to music at the Grammys on The Hill event held  in Washington DC on April 15, 2015 at the Hamilton Hotel. The Recording Academy announced The Grammys Creators Alliance and its intent to lobby for music rights on the Grammy broadcast earlier this year. Keys is a founding member of the Grammy Creators Alliance, whose mission is to support songwriters, recording artists, and studio professionals.

First Lady Michelle Obama lavished praise on Keys before presenting the award to her saying, " I am here tonight because I am so proud and so honored to pay tribute to a woman whose songs light up my iPod . . .Alicia doesn’t use her fame just to further her fame; to get more magazine covers or Twitter followers.  No, she uses her fame to further the cause of folks who are struggling — families in wrenching poverty, women desperate to keep their babies safe from HIV, young girls yearning to make their voices heard. 

And let me very clear:  Alicia doesn’t do the “just attend a fancy gala once a year” kind of work, or the “just write a check and be done with it” kind of work.  No, Alicia does the real, on-the-ground kind of work.  She goes directly to the places where folks are in need and she offers them her heart, her network, and the full power of her voice.  And then she comes back and convinces others to join her and offer their voices and their resources."

So Alicia, she’s not just a giver herself.  She’s a force-multiplier, inspiring others to give more."
Known as "Washington's most interesting mix of music and politics," the event took place on Wednesday, April 15, at the Hamilton Live in Washington D.C., and included one-of-a-kind live performances.

The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards are sponsored by SESAC, and proceeds from the event will benefit the GRAMMY Foundation^®'s GRAMMY Signature Schools program, which provides support for underserved music programs throughout the country.

"We are proud to honor Alicia Keys for her artistry, philanthropy and her passion for creators' rights as a founding member of The Academy's brand-new GRAMMY Creators Alliance, '' said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. ''We know that she will bring the same dedication to creators' rights as she does to her global philanthropic efforts.''

Portnow added, "The Academy is also pleased to honor House leaders Goodlatte and Nadler for their unflagging support of intellectual property, and we look forward to another incredible evening in our nation's capital."

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 15: GRAMMY-winning artist, songwriter and producer Alicia Keys (R) poses for a photo with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the 2015 GRAMMYs ON THE HILL AWARDS at The Hamilton on April 15, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage for NARAS)

The high-profile celebration was emceed by five-time GRAMMY nominee Hunter Hayes. Among other members of the recording and entertainment industries set to attend were GRAMMY-winning R&B and pop producer Rodney Jerkins; Texas based singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen; GRAMMY-nominated rock singer/songwriter Eddie Money; GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Ray Parker Jr.; and GRAMMY-winning jazz and gospel saxophonist Kirk Whalum, in addition to numerous Washington luminaries and policymakers. The celebration will begin with a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by the awards presentation.