The 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame 48th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner was a sparkling success, as SHOF President/CEO Linda Moran and co-chairs, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff recognized and celebrated some of the best songwriting legends of our time. Last night, musical titans Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Robert Lamm & James Pankow p/k/a "Chicago,"  Max Martin, and  Shawn "JAY Z" Carter were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Honored with special awards were Alan Menken with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award; Ed Sheeran with the Hal David Starlight Award; Pitbull with the first-ever Global Ambassador Award and Caroline Bienstock with the Abe Oleman Publisher Award.
 
The Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards dinner, year after year, is a night full of unforgettable moments celebrating the art of songwriting.  The evening kicked off with Jon Bon Jovi performing an acoustic version of his hit, “It’s My Life” before inducting the song’s writer Max Martin, whom he called a “genius.”
 
Cassandra Wilson performed an electrifying rendition of Peggy Lee’s “Fever” before Songwriters Hall of Fame co-chairmen, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff honored Caroline Bienstock with the Abe Oleman Publisher Award.
 
Whoopi Goldberg took to the stage to present Alan Menken with the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Johnny Mercer Award.  After accepting his award he sat at the piano for a beautiful medley of his classic scores including “Under The Sea,” “A Whole New World,” “Beauty and the Beast” and more, which had the audience clapping and singing along.
 
Presenter, Train’s Pat Monahan introduced inductees James Pankow & Robert Lamm p/k/a Chicago before performing their hit “Just You And Me” with Pankow on trombone. Prior to their induction, Lamm joined Pankow for their classic song “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” before proclaiming how humbled they are to be in the company of the “greatest songwriters in modern history.”
 
Johnny Gill brought the audience to its feet with a captivating rendition of “My, My, My” written by inductee Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, who was inducted by Irving Azoff.
Following his induction, Edmonds stated “what a blessing it is to do something [he loves]” and what an honor it is to stand in front of his heroes.
 
The evening continued as past recipient, Benny Blanco took to the stage to honor friend, Ed Sheeran with the Hal David Starlight Award, which is presented to young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs.  Blanco called Sheeran “one of the greatest live performers he’s ever seen.” After a heartfelt and comical acceptance speech, Sheeran performed “Castle On The Hill.”
 
Rhonda Ross Kendrick surprised her father and performed a soulful rendition of “To Be Loved” before welcoming music titan Berry Gordy whom she called a “guiding force,” into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Gordy, who shared a special moment with his daughter on stage, told stories from throughout his career, adding “a song is not only a force that evokes emotion; it takes us to another time and place.”

Usher performed an exhilarating medley of “Gigolos Get Lonely Too,” “Tender Love,” “Let’s Wait Awhile” and more before inducting the song’s writers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who accepted their award before performing “Human” and “Optimistic.”
 
A surprise congratulatory video from President Barack Obama in recognition of Shawn “JAY Z” Carter becoming the first-ever rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame shocked the audience. Highlights from throughout the inductee’s career played before Jon Platt, CEO of Warner/ Chappell accepted the award on JAY Z’s behalf. 
 
The celebratory evening came to a close as actor, John Leguizamo presented Pitbull, whom he called a “true international superstar,” with the first-ever Global Ambassador Award, created to celebrate a songwriter-artist whose music has true worldwide appeal, crossing genre, cultural and national boundaries. Pitbull, full of gratitude, spoke about the struggles and sacrifices that made him who he is today and said “our music is not only powerful, it’s the universal language.” He then went on to perform a high-energy medley of “Fireball, “Don’t Stop the Party,” “Give Me Everything,” and “Remix,” that had the audience dancing.

Full biographies and a complete list of inductees are available at the Songwriters Hall of Fame's Virtual Museum at http://songwritershalloffame.org/

Los Angeles – May 20, 2016 - Hit maker, global superstar and So You Think You Can Dance judge Jason Derulo met his wax double yesterday at Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood and struck a pose side-by-side with the figure. Following the dramatic unveiling, Derulo gave a special performance for his fans on the rooftop of the attraction. 

The Los Angeles LGBT Center hosted An Evening with Women presented by Toyota Financial Servicesat the Hollywood Palladium. The annual gala featured musical performances by Macy Gray, James Blunt, and Tal Wilkenfeld along with a stand-up routine by comedian Fortune Feimster.

Lorri L. Jean (CEO, Los Angeles LGBT Center) and Pauley Perrette (NCIS) spoke at the sold-out event, which included red carpet arrivals, a cocktail reception, seated dinner, silent & live auctions and more. Guests celebrated the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s mission of building a world in which LGBT people can be healthy, equal and complete members of society.

Celebrities, VIP guests and LGBT community supporters included Lance Bass (Recording Artist), Jessica Clark (Pocket Listing), Erika Ervin (American Horror Story), Susan Feniger (Chef / Los Angeles LGBT Center Board Member), Connor Franta (Entrepreneur/YouTube Personality), Daniel Franzese (Recovery Road), Sara Gilbert (The View), Camila Grey (Uh Huh Her), Ian Harvie (Mistresses), Lorri L. Jean (CEO, Los Angeles LGBT Center), Claude Morais (Designer, Wolk Morais), Madison Paige (Model), Pauley Perrette (NCIS), Emily Robinson (Transparent), Skyler Samuels (Scream Queens),Kim Rocco Shields (Filmmaker), Alicia Silverstone (Catfight), Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk), Harley Quinn Smith (Yoga Hosers), Karrueche Tran (Model/Actress), Bruce Vilanch (Los Angeles LGBT Center Board Member), Caroline Vreeland(Singer), Brian Wolk (Designer, Wolk Morais), Breeda Wool (UnREAL),) and event co-chairs Linda Perry, Brent Bolthouse, Kelly Lynch and Annie Goto.

NY-er Max Kessler has been told for years he looked exactly like comedy superstar Adam Sandler. After the two connected via social media, Sandler invited Kessler to the May 16th LA premiere of his new Netflix movie THE DO-OVER (which debuts May 27th), in which Sandler stars as a character named…Max Kessler. The real-life Kessler was able to walk the red carpet with fellow DO-OVER stars David Spade, Paula Patton and Kathryn Hahn, and attend the screening at the Regal L.A. LIVE: A Barco Innovation Center and after-party at Lucky Strike.

THE DO-OVER will be available on Netflix on May 27th

BEVERLY HILLS, CA (May 11, 2016) – Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), a global leader in music rights management, celebrated the songwriters and publishers behind the year’s most-performed pop songs at the 64th Annual BMI Pop Awards, held May 10 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Global superstar Taylor Swift was presented with the first-ever Taylor Swift Award, a special award bearing her name in recognition of her incomparable creative and artistic talent and influence on music lovers around the world. This is only the second time in BMI’s 76-year history that the company has presented an award in someone’s name. The first was to Michael Jackson in 1990.

The accomplished lyricist also took home the coveted BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year title once again for penning four of the year’s most-performed songs from her hit album 1989; “Bad Blood,” “Blank Space,” “Style,” and “Wildest Dreams.”

Songwriting visionaries Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil were awarded the BMI Icon Award for their indelible contributions to the craft of songwriting. The SoCal VoCals, University of Southern California’s premiere acapella group, paid homage to the prolific songwriting team with a musical tribute. The talented vocalists performed a medley of Mann and Weil’s most iconic songs including “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place,” “Just Once,” “You’re My Soul and Inspiration,” “On Broadway,” “Somewhere Out There,” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”

Throughout the evening, the 50 best performing songs in BMI’s vast catalogue were named leading up to the announcement of the BMI Pop Song of the Year.  Jeff Bhasker, Devon Gallaspy, Trinidad James, Mark Ronson, Lonnie Simmons, Rudy Taylor, Charlie Wilson, Robert Wilson and Ronnie Wilson shared that honor for their infectious Grammy-winning hit “Uptown Funk.” Sony/ATV Publishing claimed the prestigious BMI Pop Publisher of the Year crystal with 23 of year’s most performed songs.

The 64th Annual BMI Pop Awards were hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Barbara Cane. For a complete list of 2016 winners, visit bmi.com.

WGN America hosted the world premiere of its highly anticipated escape thriller, “Underground” at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The red carpet event included a screening at The Theatre, which was immediately followed by an after-party with the cast, crew and VIP attendees on the hotel’s upstairs rooftop lounge. “Underground” premieres on Wednesday, March 9 at 10pm ET/PT on WGN America. The provocative and compelling series focuses on a group of courageous men and women who band together for the fight of their lives – for their families, their future and their freedom.

Cast members in attendance included Jurnee Smollett-Bell; Aldis Hodge; Christopher Meloni; Alano Miller; Jessica de Gouw; Marc Blucas; Theodus Crane; Christopher Backus; Andrea Frankle; James Lafferty; PJ Marshall; Toby Nichols; Adina Porter; Renwick Scott; Maceo Smedley;  Mykelti Williamson; Amirah Vann; Johnny Ray Gill; Reed Diamond; Darielle Stewart and more.

The Critics' Choice Awards” are bestowed annually by the BFCA and BTJA to honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement. The BFCA is the largest film critics' organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 300 television, radio and online critics. BFCA members are the primary source of information for today's film-going public. BTJA is the collective voice of almost 100 journalists who regularly cover television for TV viewers, radio listeners and online audiences. Historically, the “Critics' Choice Awards” are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations.