JULY 10 I THE NATIONAL MUSIC COUNCIL I AWARD
American Eagle Awards to Honor Music Legends

The National Music Council has announced that Grammy-winning songstress Crystal Gayle, singer-songwriter and poet Patti Smith, and comic, actor, writer, musician and creators' rights activist Harry Shearer will be honored at the organization's 34th Annual American Eagle Awards on Thursday, July 13, from 5:30-8 p.m.

Crystal Gayle

The awards are presented each year in recognition of long-term contribution to American musical culture and heritage, the importance of music education for all children, and the need to protect creators' rights both locally and internationally.

Harry Shearer

"Each year, the National Music Council carefully chooses a very small group of music creators, artists, educators and advocates to honor for their truly remarkable contributions to American and global musical culture," said NMC Director David Sanders. "Those whose careers we have celebrated in the past are among the giants of American music, and Ms. Gayle, Ms. Smith and Mr. Shearer are worthy additions to the list of those whose long-standing excellence continues to make the US music community the world's leader in musical arts innovation."

Patti Smith

As one of the highest achievements in the music industry, the three honorees will join a "who"s – who" list of past American Eagle Award recipients including cultural icons Stephen Sondheim, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Clive Davis, Van Cliburn, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Morton Gould, Dave Brubeck, Marian Anderson, Max Roach, Lena Horne, Roy Clark, Elliott Carter, Ervin Drake, Theo Bikel, Roberta Peters, Odetta, Leonard Slatkin, Sesame Street, Hard Rock Café and VH1's Save the Music Foundation.

The honorees will be celebrated during Summer NAMM's Opening Night Party at Nashville's Music City Center and will be open to industry members, Summer NAMM attendees and the general public.

musiccouncil.org