Press Release

NMPA Announces Kara DioGuardi
as 2009 Icon Award Honoree

WASHINGTON—The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) will honor GRAMMY Award®-nominated singer/songwriter Kara DioGuardi with the 2009 Songwriter Icon Award at the NMPA’s Annual Meeting in New York City June 17.

“The NMPA is honored to recognize Kara DioGuardi, one of the most prolific songwriters and diverse talents of her generation, with the 2009 Icon Award,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite. “As the songwriter and producer behind some of the leading artists of the decade and now with even wider recognition in her role on the biggest music program sensation of our time, Kara’s influence on today’s music is hard to overstate. We are so pleased she will accept the Icon Award for 2009 from the community of songwriters and music publishers the NMPA is honored to represent.”

A familiar face to television audiences as the newest judge on “American Idol”, Kara DioGuardi has contributed to a long list of internationally successful popular songs that have been included on over 100 million records. Most of her songs have been recorded by American females in the pop/rock genre. DioGuardi performs back-up vocals on some of these recordings.

DioGuardi’s songs have been recorded by GRAMMY Award®-winning artists including: Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Pink, Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne, to name just a few. She has received numerous awards for co-writing some of the most-performed songs on the radio, including nine No. 1 singles. Her songs are continuously featured in major motion pictures, television shows, film soundtracks and radio spots, as well as national and international commercial campaigns. DioGuardi has several songs currently burning up the charts, including Kelly Clarkson’s “I Do Not Hook Up,” which she co-wrote with Katy Perry and Greg Wells, and Pink’s “Sober,” which she co-wrote with Pink and Nate “Danja” Hills.
Along with Stephen Finfer and her co-publisher, Bug Music, DioGuardi co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, where she develops and mentors fellow hit writers, producers and artists. In addition to her work with Arthouse, Kara is involved with Phoenix House, one of the nation’s leading non-profits dedicated to serving individuals, families and communities affected by addiction, empowering them to overcome addiction and lead productive lives.  In addition, Kara works with the Columbus Citizens Foundation, a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement.    

The Icon Award recognizes outstanding songwriters for personal achievement and who personify the vision of NMPA and the goals of its members. Former recipients include Amy Lee, Neil Sedaka and Jimmy Webb.

The NMPA Annual Meeting will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, 1535 Broadway, followed by a cocktail reception. Members of the media are invited to both the meeting and reception.  

REGISTRATION:
Media: Gayle Osterberg at gayle@133publicaffairs.com or (202) 548-0133
Others: Jamie Marotta at jmarotta@nmpa.org.

About the NMPA
Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is a trade association representing American music publishers. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and their songwriter partners in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights.

About the Songwriter Icon Award
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) established the Songwriter Icon Award in 2006 to recognize outstanding songwriters for personal achievement and who personify the vision of NMPA and the goals of its members. Past recipients include Amy Lee, Neil Sedaka and Jimmy Webb.