Top 10 Reasons ASCAP Members Ruled in 2014

By Erik Philbrook, Editor in Chief, Playback Magazine

From topping an incredible number of Billboard charts to urging Congress to update the music licensing system, from creating songs the world listened to more than ever to celebrating ASCAP’s landmark centennial, ASCAP members ruled in 2014. Because...

1. They dominated Billboard’s Year-End Song Charts

ASCAP songwriters and composers wrote the blockbuster hits that took the #1 spot on 26 of the magazine’s Year-End song charts.
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2. They nabbed the lion’s share of this year’s Grammy noms

Beyoncé earned six noms, and Iggy Azalea, Beck, Drake, Gordon Goodwin, Jay Z, Sia and Usher received four noms a piece. And that’s just for starters...
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3. The critics all agree – ASCAP music was the best-loved in 2014

We already know from the Grammy nominations that the industry fell hard for ASCAP music this year. As the “Best of the Year” lists pour in from music critics, blogs and magazines, it seems the critics feel the same way.
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4. When it comes to music advocacy, they not only talk the talk, they walk the walk…in the halls of Congress

An incredible group of songwriters walked the halls of Congress in May to garner support for the Songwriter Equity Act, including Paul Williams, Randy Newman, Josh Kear, Valerie Simpson, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Jon Batiste, Narada Michael Walden, Barry Eastmond, Sheléa and many others.
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5. ASCAP’s President, songwriter Paul Williams, proves you can never stop growing and creating, winning a Grammy at the age of 73

In January, ASCAP President Paul Williams earned an Album of the Year Grammy for his work on Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories.
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6. A diverse group of songwriters and composers shared what it means to be a music creator and created a powerful short film Why We Create Music to celebrate ASCAP’s 100th

Aloe Blacc, Claudia Brant, Carter Burwell, Amy Grant, Josh Kear, Savan Kotecha, David Lang, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum, Bear McCreary, Ne-Yo, Stargate’s Tor Hermansen & Mikkel Eriksen, Dan Wilson and Bill Withers collaborated on a short film and score and delivered a message that resonated with tens of thousands of people.
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7. A major snowstorm couldn’t stop our members from celebrating on ASCAP’s’s official 100th birthday at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City

With Questlove as DJ, and a special proclamation by NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio marking February 13th, 2014 as “ASCAP Day” in the city adorning the wall, ASCAP songwriters, composers, music publishers and other music industry reps braved a winter storm and came out in full force to celebrate ASCAP’s milestone 100th.
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8. Members Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Joan Baez and Stephen Sondheim are legends worthy of their ASCAP Centennial Awards

In November, ASCAP’s once-in-a-lifetime Centennial Awards honored five ASCAP music greats whose collective impact on the world is immeasurable. The star-studded event was a fundraiser for The ASCAP Foundation, whose music education, talent development and humanitarian programs make the world a better place.
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9. Our members’ music is so popular around the world, we transformed the way they are paid and won an award for innovative technology

The success of ASCAP members’ works globally, combined with the growth of digital delivery, is a sea change in music. Fortunately, ASCAP anticipated this and developed a new system that quickly and accurately pays members for their radio and internet performances (expected to top 500 billion performances this year). Our work led to winning an award for the “highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.”
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10. ASCAP music has driven the music industry for 100 years with heart, soul and creativity

Our timeline spanning 100 years of ASCAP music and history is a powerful reminder of the impact of collective licensing on both the American culture and the economy - a benefit even more important today.
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And one more for good measure!

11. Let’s face it, the sound of the holidays this year (and every year) is the sound of ASCAP music!

This year being ASCAP’s 100th Anniversary, we thought we’d take a look at the top ASCAP holiday songs of all time. Lo and behold! Each song on this list of 30 is a monumental classic written by an ASCAP member. Happy Holidays!