LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
LEGENDARY CHILDREN'S SINGER BECOMES
FIRST WOMAN TO RECEIVE AWARD
Ella Jenkins has been selected as a recipient of the 1999 ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, a tribute offered to veteran music creators who, over the years, have made a significant contribution to our nation's music culture. Honorees are chosen from diverse musical genres on the basis of their body of work and influence in their respective fields. Ella Jenkins is the first recipient of this prestigious award in the field of Children's Music and the first woman selected for the honor. The Lifetime Achievement Award program was established in 1997 with a generous bequest from Rosalie Meyer, the widow of Joseph Meyer (who wrote such classics as "California Here I Come" and "If You Knew Susie"). Previous Lifetime Achievement recipients include: Dave Van Ronk, Rufus Thomas, Red Norvo, and Guy Clark. The award will be presented to Jenkins on August 7th prior to her annual performance at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, Illinois.
Ella Jenkins has been inspiring children and adults through her performances and recordings for over 40 years. A legendary figure in children's music, she has appeared with Mr. Rogers and Barney, received dozens of awards, and at 75 years of age still travels unceasingly. Jenkins' first LP was released on Folkways Records in 1957.
On September 21, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings will release her 30th album Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends, Pulling Together. Jenkins and a group of young and older musical friends introduce children to the ideas of unity, cooperation, and labor unions through songs, recitation, and poetry. Recorded in 1999, this CD features harrnonica, piano, percussion, banjo, guitar, vocals, and chorus. The recording reminds us how unity and strength are part of family ties as well as adult life and work.
The ASCAP Foundation is dedicated to supporting the American composer and encouraging the development of American music through educational programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships to young composers, music education programs, and public service projects for senior composers and lyricists. The programs of The ASCAP Foundation are supported by contributions from ASCAP members and music lovers throughout the United States.
NOTE: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings retail distribution is through KOCH International at 516.484.1000. SFW releases are available at record and book outlets . Smithsonian Folkways records, as well as the original Folkways, Cook, Dyer-Bennet, Monitor, and Paredon collections, are available via mail order at 800.410.9815 or via the Internet. Visit Smithsonian Folkways' web site at <www.si.edu/folkways>.
U.S. print media inquiries: Matt Hanks, or Mark Satlof, Shore Fire Media, mhanks@shorefire.com, msatlof@shorefire.com or 718.522.7171.
Radio & Promotional inquiries: Mark Gustafson, Shore Fire Media, gustafsonm@si.edu or 202.275.1156
Sales & Marketing inquiries: John Smith, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, smithjm@si.edu or 206.568.8144