34TH ANNUAL AMERICAN EAGLE AWARDS PRESENTED AT THE SUMMER NAMM SHOW IN NASHVILLE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The National Music Council presented its prestigious American Eagle Award to music industry icons Crystal Gayle, Harry Shearer, and Patti Smith on July 13 at The Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, TN. National Music Council Director, David Sanders, hosted the awards ceremony along with presenters Paul Shaffer, Richard Leigh and John Ingrassia.

The honorees and presenters collaborated for an unforgettable finale performance of the song “People Have The Power,” written by Patti Smith and her late husband Fred “Sonic” Smith. The awards are presented each year to call attention to the importance of music education and respect of creator’s rights, with proceeds going to support the National Music Council’s advocacy efforts throughout the year. The Nashville event received support from The NAMM Foundation, which also works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan through scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.

Photos from the event can be found here.

About The National Music Council
The National Music Council is celebrating its 77th year as a forum for the free discussion of this country’s national music affairs and challenges. Founded in 1940 to act as a clearinghouse for the joint opinion and decision of its members and to work to strengthen the importance of music in our lives and culture, the Council’s initial membership of 13 has grown to almost 50 national music organizations, encompassing every important form of professional and commercial musical activity. Through the cooperative work of its member organizations, the National Music Council promotes and supports music and music education as an integral part of the curricula in the schools of our nation, and in the lives of its citizens. The Council provides for the exchange of information and coordination of efforts among its member organizations and speaks with one voice for the music community whenever an authoritative expression of opinion is desirable. www.musiccouncil.org.

About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 10,300 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit nammfoundation.org.