Burt Bacharach and Hal David have been selected as the fourth recipients of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.  The awards celebrate the work of artists whose careers reflect lifetime achievements in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding. The selection, which was announced on Sept. 28, is made by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with a board that is both credible and broad enough in scope to represent the full spectrum of popular song. Board mem bers may include but need not

be limited to scholars, producers, performers, music critics, songwriters, and subject specialists within and outside the Library of Congress.

In being named to receive the prize, Bacharach and David become the first songwriters to be so honored and join the ranks of performers Paul Simon, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, the three previous recipients of the award. The awards will be presented next spring at an all-star tribute in Washington D.C.

Click here to read the full text of the press release announcing the award.