It was two years ago today, June 18, that Jason Mraz received the The Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a songwriting award presented to talented younger artists. Now this honor is part of a display presented in a new exhibit at the GRAMMY museum.
On the fourth floor of the museum, an exhibit on the Songwriter's Hall of Fame (SHOF) is displayed listing many of the legendary artists that have been recognized over the years. The SHOF was founded in 1969 by singer Johnny Mercer and music publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond.
Since 2004, the SHOF's Hal David Starlight Award has honored a handful of prestigious young songwriters including Alicia Keys, Rob Thomas, John Mayer, John Legend, Johnny Rzeznik and Taylor Swift. The exhibit features an audio interview with each honoree of the Hal David Starlight Award discussing what songwriting means to them.
In response to receiving his award, Jason Mraz said: "I think songwriters are the sages and the swamis of today. I think our responsibility is to touch, move and inspire people... This is a room where songwriters say 'we feel you, we get ya and we love what you're doing.' It is a tremendous honor."
At the awards gala on June 18, 2009, Jason Mraz was presented the award by 2004 honoree Rob Thomas. (See photos from the SHOF gala in 2009)
Jason Mraz is also featured in the GRAMMY Museum's Bob Marley exhibit now on display through September 15. "Bob Marley: Messenger" explores the life and career of Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician.
Jason Mraz is featured in three videos in the exhibit which include interviews with famous musicians as well as family members discussing the impact of Bob Marley on music and pop culture.
Mraz is a huge fan of Bob Marley and often sings cover versions of Marley's song, "Three Little Birds" live in concert. Jason also visited Bob Marley's home in Kingston, Jamaica back in 2003.
Mraz commented, "The minute we start singing a Bob Marley song, the audience goes crazy because they all know it and they all love it. The audience just wants to be a part of something bigger and Bob created music that anybody can sing."
Other exhibits currently on display at the GRAMMY Museum include John Lennon, Songwriter, extended through September and Roy Orbison, The Soul of Rock & Roll. Visit http://www.grammymuseum.org for more information.
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