ASCAP to Honor New Edition at 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 23 in Los Angeles

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - May 29, 2008) - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor New Edition at its 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA. The six members of New Edition will be presented with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award, which is given to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. The invitation-only gala will also honor ASCAP's top songwriters and publishers of 2007.

Previous ASCAP Golden Note Award honorees include Lionel Richie, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J and Steve Miller.

Celebrating their 25th anniversary as a group, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe and Johnny Gill established much of the groundwork for the style of music known as new jack swing. In the early 1980s, New Edition sold more units in the United States than any other teen singing group and their success led to the creation of late-80s and 90s boy bands, such as New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. They have released seven studio albums -- "Candy Girl," "New Edition," "All For Love," "Under the Blue Moon," "Heart Break," "Home Again" and "One Love" -- that spawned several hits, including "Candy Girl," "Popcorn Love," "Cool It Now," "Mr. Telephone Man," "Count Me Out," "A Little Bit of Love (Is All It Takes)," "Earth Angel," "Can You Stand the Rain," "If It Isn't Love," "You're Not My Kind of Girl," "Crucial" and "Hit Me Off." Individually, they have enjoyed successful solo careers and side group projects.

Commenting on the Golden Note Award honorees, ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman said: "Over the last 25 years, New Edition has experienced success on multiple levels to become true legends. The group has firmly left their mark on today's music, and ASCAP is very proud to honor them."

The 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards celebration will also feature a special presentation of ASCAP's highly competitive and coveted Songwriter of the Year award to the songwriter with the most award-winning songs. Past recipients of this top honor include many of today's most celebrated talents, such as 50 Cent, Johntá Austin, Mary J. Blige, Kandi Burruss, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Dr. Dre, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Alicia Keys and Timbaland. Special awards will also be presented to Publisher of the Year, Ringtone of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriter/performers.

Members of the press may apply for credentials at http://www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/rhythmsoulawards/

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 320,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 similar foreign organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com