ASCAP To Honor The Civil Wars

ASCAP will honor Nashville duo The Civil Wars with the Vanguard Award, which recognizes the impact of musical genres that help shape the future of American music. The duo will be presented with the honor during the invitation-only 49th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, set for Sun., Nov. 6 at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Past ASCAP Vanguard Awards honorees include Sara Bareilles, Beastie Boys, Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Jack Johnson, and Björk.

“We are elated and honored to be receiving this year’s ASCAP Vanguard Award,” say Joy Williams and John Paul White of The Civil Wars. “Past winners over the years have been inspiring and influential to us in individual ways. We are thrilled to be added to such a list.”

“The Civil Wars not only epitomize indie success in the ever-changing landscape of the music business, they also create beautiful, expressive art that has deeply connected with listeners,” says Tim DuBois, Vice President and Managing Executive, ASCAP Nashville. “We are honored to present Joy and John Paul with the ASCAP Vanguard Award as an acknowledgement of their unique impact on American music.”

The breakout indie duo have experienced a whirlwind year following the release of their full-length debut Barton Hollow. The acclaimed album debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and has sold over 180,000 units to date. The duo has also appeared on Jay Leno and been selected as a “You Oughta Know” artist to watch by VH1. They are currently nominated at the annual Americana Honors and Awards and the 45th Annual CMA Awards.

The 49th annual ASCAP Awards will also salute the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most-performed country songs from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. Awards for Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Publisher of the Year will be revealed as well. As previously announced, Don Williams will also be presented with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award.