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The ninth annual ASCAP Foundation Awards and Scholarships Reception was held on December 2, 2004 at the Walter Reade Theater at Manhattan's Lincoln Center. Honors were presented to a wide variety of Award, Scholarship and Fellowship recipients, all of whom benefit from programs of The ASCAP Foundation. The evening was highlighted by awards to musical veterans Jack Lawrence and the late Bob Russell. The ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to lyricist and composer Jack Lawrence whose many standards include "All or Nothing at All," "If I Didn't Care," "Tenderly," "Linda," and "Beyond the Sea." Lawrence collaborated with composers Arthur Altman, Sammy Fain, Quincy Jones, Charles Trenet, Raymond Scott and Victor Young. His songs were instrumental in the musical careers of vocalists Frank Sinatra, the Ink Spots, Dinah Shore, and Bobby Darin. Lawrence's 1947 #1 hit, "Linda," was written as a surprise for the young daughter of his then-attorney, Lee Eastman. Linda Eastman grew up to marry Paul McCartney. Zoe/Rounder Records artist Madeleine Peyroux, backed by the swing trio Brock Mumford, paid musical tribute to Lawrence with "Tenderly" and "Beyond the Sea." The 92-year old Lawrence recently published his autobiography, They All Sang My Songs, published by Barricade Books. Also honored with The ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award was lyricist Bob Russell (1914-1970). Russell's standards include "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me," "Frenesi," "Maria Elena," "Brazil," "Crazy He Calls Me," "Ballerina," and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother." Russell collaborated with composers Duke Ellington, Harry Warren, Bronislau Kaper, Carl Sigman and Bobby Scott. Russell was nominated for two Academy Awards for collaborations with Quincy Jones. His final hit,"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," co-written with Bobby Scott, was a worldwide hit in 1970 by both the Hollies and Neil Diamond. In tribute to Russell, The Persuasions performed an a capella rendition of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother." In addition, Russell's grandson, singer-songwriter Luther Russell, performed the last song ever composed by his grandfather, "Bluebird in the Rain."
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