Iris Gordy Presents LAWIM Honors Award to Harriet Schock

Los Angeles WoMen in Music Awards Banquet
Honors Harriet Schock, KOST 103.5 FM Radio
and Kelly Fitzgerald

Los Angeles, California --- On May 6th, 2007, Los Angeles WoMen in Music (LAWIM) staged their first annual Honors Banquet at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in the newly famous Hollywood Entertainment Complex. Over 200 guests attended the long-anticipated black tie affair, including renowned songwriters, producers, singers and a wide gamut of industry professionals.

"This event has been a long time coming," said Stephen Scott, LAWIM's president and the event's executive producer. "Our growing membership and enthusiastic special events committee decided the time had come to start paying honors to the industry professionals who make music the poetry of our times."

The event honored professional member Harriet Schock — songwriter, performer, composer, recording artist, author and educator. LAWIM recognized Harriet for numerous career achievements including her impressive list of songs written for movies, television and other artists including her chart-topping hit, "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady," popularized in the 70s by Helen Reddy. LAWIM also recognized Harriet Schock for her years of nonprofit music community service.

"I don't know who all you people are, "said Schock during her acceptance speech, "but you’ve made this one of the best nights of my life!"

Accolades and moving personal testimonies dotted the evening, with the featured Honors Award being presented most eloquently by Iris Gordy, niece of Berry Gordy and former VP of Motown Records for which company Schock has written a number of songs throughout her career. In addition, numerous City and County Proclamations and Certificates were presented, including a personal presentation by the newly-elected mayor of Burbank (home of the Media District), Marsha Ramos.

Also honored was KOST 103.5 FM Radio, celebrating 25 years of "Soft Rock with Less Talk" in Southern California, as well as the first recipient of "Comet Award," Singer-Songwriter Kelly Fitzgerald, LAWIM's pick as LA's Rising Star for 2007.

An impressive silent auction and raffle reminded the attendees of the nonprofit nature of the organization. Major items were donated by event sponsors Daisy Rock and Minarik Guitars, with additional items by Gibson Guitars, a session donation by Grammy winner, Albert Lee, studio recording time, many restaurant and performance packages headed by House of Blues and Lawry’s Prime Rib, Fine Art contributions by leading Southern California artists and loads of other goods and services provided by companies in and around the entertainment community. The total value of the products exceeded $9,000, adding yet another dimension of excitement to the evening.

The evening was delightfully co-emceed by Jim Meskimen, television, film actor and voice impressionist, and Mike Sakellarides, long time radio personality and show host on KOST 103.5 FM.

“I was thrilled to co-host the L.A. WoMen in Music Awards…” noted Sakellarides. “…and I was honored to pay tribute to Harriet Schock, her body of work, and her mentoring of future songwriters. This is ‘passing it forward,’ in the truest sense, to a new generation of exciting young artists like honoree Kelly Fitzgerald.”

The affair also featured spirited commentaries from such notables as Oscar-nominated Karen Black, and Disney's Executive VP, Cheryl Foliart, both of whom are longtime friends of Harriet. Film director Henry Jaglom and Tanna Frederick, star of “Hollywood Dreams,” also spoke about Harriet.  Their insightful comments contributed to the special intimacy of the evening. Tickets for the event sold out two days prior, forcing producers to pull the registration web page and make special arrangements with the kitchen to accommodate last-minute attendees.

Entertainment was exceptional, as would be expected, provided by singer/vocal coach Leanne Summers and singer/songwriter Simon Lynge, with honorees, Harriet Schock and Kelly Fitzgerald also showcasing their considerable talents.

Adding to the festive excitement of the event, celebrity red carpet activities were covered by various paparazzi agencies.

A photo-pictorial of the evening is available on LAWIM's website at LAWIM.com, in addition to a free PDF version of the event's impressive Tribute Journal.

For further info or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the 2008 LAWIM Honors Banquet, please contact Stephen Scott, President of LAWIM, 818-425-3824 or by email at sscott@lawim.com.

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LAWIM (Los Angeles WoMen In Music)
11664 National Blvd. Suite 280
Los Angeles, CA 90064
www.lawim.com


Event marketing by Ron Arnone, Minds Over Marketing