Los Angeles…With a cavalcade of stars sure to match the awards events of the likes of the recent MTV Movie awards and the Grammy’s, the American Society of Young Musicians has over the years shared its stage with some of the same talent as these other powerhouse awards events and has awarded almost as many honors. Providing thousands of dollars in scholarship monies to talented young musicians across the United States, the organization recently announced its voting board’s selection of pioneering music legend and talented musician/composer and producer Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys, its 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The event will take place at ASYM’s annual Spring Benefit Concert at the world renowned Hollywood Pallaium in Hollywood, California, Aug 22, 2009 at 6:30PM, where a host of celebrities in music and entertainment will be on hand to help celebrate rising musicians as they bring their craft to the fore, while coming out to honor luminaries in music and musicians advocates such as Wilson.

The American Society of Young Musicians, in its 17th year of providing scholarships to young men and women at accredited music programs and schools, will be providing several full and partial scholarships to a number of deserving students who have shown a promise for pursuing musical careers. Among the many luminaries, music moguls, celebrities and music aficionados who will be in attendance, many will be there to honor Wilson, who is legendary in the music industry for his ability to not only find top notch acts, but his prolific writing and producing talents are what are most renowned in the music industry as the catalyst that shot a group of 60’s teenagers, better known as his brothers and a cousin into rock and roll history and creating a unique California sound that became known as The Beach Boys.

A Southern California boy at heart, Wilson has gone on to become what has been called one of, the greatest, musical geniuses in the world. It was while growing up, that he noticed that he had a flair for writing and arranging music in his own particular style. Using his two younger brothers, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson along with first cousin Mike Love, Brian recreated songs for them to sing along to. Eventually after they started singing for many years at family parties and in their room, Mike told Brian that they needed to form a group. Along with college friend Al Jardine, they formed The Beach Boys, releasing their first song “Surfin’” to popular reviews.

-CONTINUE-

ASYM Page 2 Press Release

When Brian’s father Murry decided that he should be their manager, he set up The Beach Boys with a contract at Capitol Records and helped them embark on a seven year contract with the company. Within the first two years, Brian made himself the leader of the group and was, uniquely, writer/producer/arranger/musician and lead vocalist of the band.

It was clear from the very early years that Brian was the one destined to take The Beach Boys into the spotlight. Along the way, mainly with Mike Love, he wrote a handful of top forty singles, including “California Girls”, “Surfin’ USA”, “Surfer Girl”, “Little Deuce Coupe”, “Don’t Worry Baby”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows” and the three number one hits in America, “I Get Around”, “Help Me, Rhonda” and “Good Vibrations”, which was also a hit in Britain, and a second UK #1 single, “Do It Again”.

All of the musicians at ASYM are so stoked and excited that one whom they consider to be both role model, rock leader and icon, will be there in person to graciously accept the organizations honors on this occasion, and they couldn’t be more pleased at this year’s selection of such an iconic and prolific figure. According to the organization’s President Jarvee E. Hutcherson “ASYM members, friends and fans couldn’t be happier that our voting board saw fit this year to honor a music veteran as deserving as Brian Wilson. With his gift for lyrics, writing and producing, and his prodigious impact on the musical landscape of Southern California and beyond, we are so inspired by his contributions to our musical legacy, and we are honored to be able to let him know that in person on this occasion”

Himself a Rock and Roll Fame inductee, Wilson will also be inducted into the American Society of Young Musicians Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony to take place immediately following his award presentation at The Highlands. Known for his unique blend of guitar chords and keyboard rifts, Wilson said that he was “thrilled and honored at the opportunity to be a part of this long-standing musical event, where musicians young and old come together in mutual respect and admiration of one another’s musical gifts and passion.”

The organization comprised of some 1500 plus members, provides financial assistance to a number of up-and-coming artists, who have shown financial need as well as artistic talent, while also pairing them with mentors, and career counseling. Supporters of the scholarship programs have included past attendees from the fields of rock, pop, and soul from the Quincy Jones, John Mellencamp, The Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas to the Goo Goo Dolls, Chaka Khan, Liza Minnelli and Lisa Marie Presley just to name a few. For ticket information, interested parties may call (310) 358-8300.