White House Press Release, Burt & Hal Gershwin Award

[Andre B]

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the First Lady
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2012

PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY TO HOST CONCERT HONORING
BURT BACHARACH AND HAL DAVID IN THE EAST ROOM

On Wednesday, May 9th, as part of their “In Performance at the White House” series, the President and First Lady will host a concert in the East Room honoring songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who will be awarded the 2012 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. President Obama will present the award as he did in 2010 and 2009, when the Library of Congress honored Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, respectively. The program will include performances by Sheryl Crow, Michael Feinstein, Diana Krall, Lyle Lovett, Mike Myers, Rumer, Arturo Sandoval, Sheléa and Stevie Wonder.

The President’s remarks will be pooled press and the entire event will be streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov/live starting at 7:00 PM ET on May 9th.

On Monday, May 21st at 9:00 PM ET, the East Room concert will be broadcast on PBS stations nationwide as “Burt Bacharach & Hal David: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House” (check local listings). The program will also be broadcast at a later date via the American Forces Network to American service men and women and civilians at U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world.

This will be the first time the Gershwin Prize honor has been awarded to a songwriting team; Bacharach and David are a pianist and lyricist respectively. The Gershwin Prize commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the legendary American songwriting team whose extensive manuscript collections reside in the Library of Congress. The prize is awarded to musicians whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins.

The White House concert caps off two days of events celebrating the recipients of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. On Tuesday, May 8th at 7:00 PM ET, the Library of Congress will host an invitation-only concert at their Coolidge Auditorium in honor of Bacharach and David. The all-star tribute will include performances by Sheryl Crow, Diana Krall, Mike Myers, Lyle Lovett, Rumer and Stevie Wonder. This event will be open to press, but space is limited. Members of the media who wish to cover this event must RSVP to Gayle Osterberg at gosterberg@loc.gov by Monday, May 7th, 2012 at NOON ET.

“Burt Bacharach & Hal David: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House” will be the ninth “In Performance at the White House” program hosted by the President and Mrs. Obama. Starting in February 2009, these events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney; celebrated Hispanic musical heritage during Hispanic Heritage Month; marked Black History Month with events featuring the music from the Civil Rights Movement, Motown and the Blues; spotlighted Broadway and the unique spirit of the American musical; and explored the rich roots of Country Music.

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[BachtoBacharach]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? No Dionne Warwick?

[Andre B]

I have to imagine that Dionne will appear as a "surprise" guest.

[gillanddon]

Dionne could be presenting the award? Let's hope so. It's a complicated one as they are a writing team and she is an artist in her own right or am I wrong?

[GehVorbei]

I can not imagine that Dionne will be left out of this. It is inconceivable that Hal would do this without Dionne. They sure must have found a role for her that goes beyond performing and it should be like that. This is not just about some lineup this is about musical history. And the man in White House knows, too...

Barack Obama singing "Walk On By" to Dionne:

[Andre B]

Great video - thanks for posting it!

[BachtoBacharach]

Yes, I am sure Obama appreciates Warwick but I just bet that he had more important things to do than plan the program for this event! I am sure that he had little to do with the award or the ceremony itself...that was left to underlings, committees etc. This award and the event were not a cabinet level decision. Let's hope that the organizers and planners recognize the importance that Warwick has played in their careers and that she will do more than just perform. I think you are right about Hal though...he has always recognized Dionne...Dionne's bond with Hal is even stronger than her bond with Burt and he fully appreciates their mutual contributions to each other's careers.

[Marcel]

http://muziek.nieuws.nl/695557/obama_ee ... h_en_david


It is in Dutch but it says that President Obama is Honouring BURT and HAL on May 9th
This article was in the Dutch press !!

Kind Regards

Marcel

[GehVorbei]

The Gershwin Prize is awarded by the Library of Congress; actually the Librarian of Congress in consultation with a board. It is given to composers or performers in recognition of their contribution to popular music. So they could have awarded it to Dionne, too. But that doesn't seem to be the "formula" of this particular award. Past recipients were Paul Simon (without Art Garfunkel) and Paul McCartney (without Ringo). Fair enough.

The White House and the First Lady and the president only host the gala and the president certainly isn't involved in party planning. I hope not:-) But the absence of Warwick would be so strange that probaly even Obama would ask: "Where is Dionne?".

And I am sure she will be there.

[GehVorbei]

From the New York Post today...Oops

"Last week PBS filmed the big-shot hot-shot Gershwin Prize for a future showing. Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Burt Bacharach, Michael Feinstein, Dionne Warwick, Diana Krall, Mike Myers all booked. All on time, all warmed-up, all on their mark — except Dionne Warwick. They were told, “Don’t expect her . . . she won’t be in it . . . she isn’t participating.”
Venue for the filming? The White House. A little probing elicited the comment: “She couldn’t get security clearance.”
Dionne Warwick can’t get clearance for the White House? Those scurvy sleazy Salahis got in, tour j’eted around, shook hands with Obama, had photos with him, wormed so close to B.O. that semi-married Mrs. Salahi nearly got named as his next vice president . . . and Dionne Warwick couldn’t make it?!"

[gillanddon]

Hi GehVorbei .. surely this can't be the reason? Somethings up! Dionne isn't touring tomorrow or Wednesday. Very odd????

[GehVorbei]

From the Washington Post:

"Hal David, 90, is recovering from a stroke and will not be able to travel to Washington."

"Phil Ramone will produce tribute programs at the Library of Congress on Tuesday and the White House on Wednesday. Each will include performances from Sheryl Crow, Michael Feinstein, Diana Krall, Lyle Lovett, Mike Myers, Rumer, Arturo Sandoval, Shelea and Stevie Wonder. Warwick will perform at the library but not the White House."

[gillanddon]

Well, our lady is getting there slowly!! The library is half way there! Can't believe the security block bit as she has represented the country for lord knows how long at senior levels! That is very sad news about Hal David. I was unaware of how ill he was.

[burtchifan]

My 2 cents: It is rather unfortunate that Dione will not be at the White House. Whatever the reason for her not being there is, does not matter. It does NOT change her admiration, respect, love, and appreciation for Burt and Hal. Also of note for his absence, is Elvis Costello. His wife, Diana Krall will be there, so why not Elvis? Just curious.

Anyway, Congratulations Mr. Bacharach and Mr. David. Thank you for all the great music and lyrics you have written and contributed to our lives, and many lives for that matter.

[Andre B]

Nice, short video from the Librarian of Congress announcing the Gershwin Award for Burt and Hal:

http://www.loc.gov/about/awardshonors/gershwin/