LOS ANGELES, CA and NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - February 27, 2009) - ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher) will honor Heart's Ann & Nancy Wilson with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award during its 26th Annual Pop Music Awards, it was announced today by President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman. The invitation-only gala will take place on April 22, 2009 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, California, and will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed pop songs of 2008.

The ASCAP Founders Award is among the most prestigious honors that ASCAP gives to songwriters who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of songwriting genius that will enrich generations to come. Past recipients include Ashford & Simpson, Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Joel, Annie Lennox, Sir Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Smokey Robinson, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman commented: "Ann and Nancy Wilson have made an indelible mark on rock music history. Their success and influence helped pave the way for other female artists, and they continue to build their musical legacy with an artistic energy that remains as strong today as when they first started out over 35 years ago. They are true musical trailblazers and ASCAP is extremely proud to honor them with the Founders Award."

Ann Wilson and her sister, Nancy Wilson, first showed the world that women can rock when their band Heart stormed the charts in the 1970s with hits like "Crazy On You," "Magic Man," "Barracuda," "Straight On," "Even It Up," "Kick It Out," and so many more. They continued topping the charts through the '80s and into the '90s with huge hits like "These Dreams," "Alone," "What About Love," "If Looks Could Kill," "Never," and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters' enormous talents as musicians and singers. During their extraordinary 35-year career, Heart has sold more than 30 million records, had 21 top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide and had a profound influence on rock music.

The group is currently on their latest U.S. tour, and they will be hitting the studio this year to record what will be their 14th album. They are also gearing up to mark the 30th anniversary of their classic multi-platinum album "Dog & Butterfly" with special events and celebrations. They also continue to win new generations of fans with their #1 single "Barracuda" being included in "Guitar Hero World Tour" and the new "American Idol" contestants paying tribute to their catalog of hits every season.

The songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed pop songs of 2008 will also be honored at the awards ceremony. Top awards will be given to Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year, in addition to the presentation of the ASCAP Vanguard Award, which recognizes the impact of musical genres which help shape the future of American music.

The 26th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards is part of "ASCAP I Create Music Week" -- an entire week of events being held in Los Angeles to celebrate the voice of the music creator.

Members of the press may apply for credentials at http://www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/popawards/.

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 340,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com