The Recording Academy to Honor Zac Brown Band & More at GRAMMYS on the Hill Awards

Representatives of the worlds of music and politics will come together at The Recording Academy's 2016 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards to honor three-time GRAMMY winners Zac Brown Band, who will receive the Recording Artists' Coalition Award for their musical achievements and commitment to philanthropic causes, including Zac Brown's Camp Southern Ground, the Boot Campaign, City of Hope, MusiCares, and the USO. And the Recording Academy will honor Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), and Thomas J. Rooney (R-Fla.), co-sponsors of the Allocation For Music Producers Act (H.R. 1457), also known as the AMP Act, a bill that would streamline how producers receive performance royalties. Both legislators are being recognized for their support and understanding of vital issues impacting music creators.

Known as "Washington's most interesting mix of music and politics," the awards presentation takes place on Wednesday, April 13 at the Hamilton Live in Washington D.C., and will feature unique live performances and musical surprises. The sold-out celebration will begin with a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by the awards presentation.

Attending is a who's who of music luminaries, including GRAMMY-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams, country singer/guitarist Josh Abbott, Robert "Kool" Bell of GRAMMY winners Kool & the Gang, songwriter/producer Evan Bogart, David Bromberg, GRAMMY winning songwriter/producer Bryan Michael Cox, R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn, GRAMMY winner Kendra Foster, Ginuwine, singer/songwriter/guitarist Warren Haynes of GRAMMY winners the Allman Brothers, songwriter/producer Rodney Jerkins, contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher, singer/songwriter and San Francisco Chapter Board Advisor Ledisi, GRAMMY winner Ramsey Lewis, songwriter/producer and The Academy's National Advocacy Committee co-chair Harvey Mason Jr., singer/songwriter Eddie Money, singer/songwriter Anna Nalick, GRAMMY winner Smokey Robinson, Ed Roland of Collective Soul, GRAMMY winner Jon Secada, Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge, gospel artist Richard Smallwood, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, hip-hop artist and Texas Chapter Trustee Paul Wall, and rapper Wale. The event will be hosted by country and bluegrass singer/songwriter and radio host Jim Lauderdale.

"Zac Brown Band is an excellent example of creative artists making a difference not only in music, but in the world of philanthropy at large," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "It's our pleasure to recognize their dedication at our 2016 GRAMMYs on the Hill event."

"The Academy is pleased to honor Congressmen Crowley and Rooney, whose sponsorship of the AMP Act and the Fair Play Fair Pay Act demonstrates their understanding and support of crucial parity issues for music professionals at a pivotal time for music legislation in Washington," Portnow continued.

On April 14, the day after the awards ceremony, The Recording Academy will bring hundreds of music professionals from across the country to visit with lawmakers to advance policies for American music as part of The Academy's annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day. The program is the music community's largest annual advocacy day in Washington, D.C.

The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards are sponsored by performance rights organization SESAC. Event proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY Signature Schools initiative, which provides support for underserved music programs throughout the country. A GRAMMY Signature Schools Enterprise Award recipient, the Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy in Brighton, Mich., will also be honored during the celebration.

For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's Advocacy social networks on Twitter (@GRAMMYAdvocacy) and Facebook.

About Zac Brown Band

Three-time GRAMMY winners and multi-platinum artists Zac Brown Band have become one of music's most heralded acts. Their latest gold-certified album JEKYLL + HYDE, out now on Southern Ground Artists/John Varvatos Records/Big Machine Label Group/Republic Records, marks the band's third consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard 200 chart. Together with their three platinum-selling albums, Uncaged, You Get What You Give, and The Foundation, and their 2013 project The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1, the band has sold over eight million albums to date. The band has earned a historic series of fifteen #1 hit radio singles and became only the second artist to top both the country and active rock formats. "Homegrown," the band's first single off of JEKYLL + HYDE, earned the title of the "No. 1 most-heard song of 2015" according to Mediabase.

Zac Brown Band is set to kick-off the "BLACK OUT THE SUN" tour this May 19th at Hartford's XFINITY Theatre. The band's sixth headlining US concert tour follows on the heels of their largest North American Stadium Tour to date, which included two history making performances - a first ever sold-out, three-night run at Fenway Park, and the first-ever concert at Coors Field along with performances at Wrigley Field, Nationals Park, Citi Field, Comerica Park and Citizen's Bank Park. Zac Brown Band is managed by ROAR, a Beverly Hills-based artist and brand management company. The band is also represented by CAA, public relations firm Shore Fire Media and strategic digital marketing agency Girlilla Marketing.

In addition to their musical endeavors, members of Zac Brown Band have worked diligently to contribute time and money to philanthropic causes, particularly for children. The band has helped raise funds to benefit Brown's nonprofit Camp Southern Ground in Peachtree City, Ga., for kids with academic, social, and emotional difficulties.

About Rep. Joseph Crowley

Crowley served in the New York State Assembly before being elected to Congress in 1998 to represent the 14th congressional district of New York, encompassing parts of the Bronx and Queens. Currently he is vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, the fifth-highest ranking position in House Democratic Leadership. Called a "rising star" in the Democratic Caucus by National Journal, Crowley's efforts in Congress are focused on building strong communities, expanding opportunities for hardworking American families, and leading on human rights and social justice issues.

In 2014, the congressman was a featured speaker at a first-of-its kind GRAMMY Week Town Hall, held Jan. 25 in Los Angeles, where Recording Academy leadership met with leadership from the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss the legislative outlook and music issues such as music royalties, online theft, performance rights, and visas for traveling artists. Congressman Crowley also plays guitar and served as featured instrumentalist during GRAMMYs on The Hill 2015 as part of a demonstration of the importance of musical sidemen to classic recordings.

A member of Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, Crowley introduced the Allocation For Music Producers Act on March 19, 2015, and is a champion for music in education.

About Rep. Thomas J. Rooney

Rooney was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida's 17th district in 2008. A native of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Congressman Rooney sits on the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee's on Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and State and Foreign Operations. He is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and serves as Chairman of the Intelligence Subcommittee on Emerging Threats. He also serves as a Deputy Whip for the Majority.

Congressman Rooney is also a drummer and has supported his interest in music at previous Capitol Hill events. In 2011 he joined fellow 2016 GRAMMYs on the Hill honoree Crowley as well as Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) to record a song at Washington, D.C.'s SiriusXM studios with producers who have worked with artists such as Guns N' Roses, LeAnn Rimes and Raheem DeVaughn. The resulting song debuted at the 2011 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. The previous year, Rooney joined Crowley on guitar and Deutch on keyboards to back the Monkees' Micky Dolenz at a Capitol Hill performance after Dolenz lobbied Congress in favor of performance rights for music creators.

Rooney is also a member of the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, and joined with Congressman Crowley to introduce the Allocation for Music Producers Act. The AMP Act has since become a key part of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act Of 2015, a comprehensive bill that addresses a number of pay equity issues for creators.

About The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards - the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music - The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education, and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture.

The Academy's Advocacy & Public Policy office in Washington, D.C., partners with Academy members from across the country to present a powerful lobbying corps for music creators' rights.

For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For more about The Academy's Advocacy & Public Policy initiatives, please visit www.grammy.com/Advocacy. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs and @GRAMMYAdvocacy on Twitter, "like" The GRAMMYs and GRAMMY Advocacy on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.

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