Maria performed with Desmond Child and Rouge at the 39th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony at the Marriott Marquis on June 19, 2008 in New York City.

Friday, June 20, 2008

2008 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Awards Ceremony A Huge Success

Stars And Songwriting Community Came Out To Honor Inductees Desmond Child, Albert Hammond, Loretta Lynn, Alan Menken And John Sebastian, Along With Honorees Paul Anka, Anne Murray, John Rzeznick And Milt Okun

NEW YORK, NY, June 20, 2007 - The 2008 Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) Awards show was a smashing success, as SHOF Chairman/CEO Hal David and President Linda Moran helped induct songwriting heavyweights including Desmond Child, Albert Hammond, Loretta Lynn, Alan Menken and John Sebastian into its hallowed Hall, and saluted honorees Paul Anka, Anne Murray, John Rzeznik and Milt Okun for their contributions to popular music.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame is always a night full of once-in-a-lifetime, not-to-be-missed, special moments and the 2008 gala did not disappoint. Inductee Desmond Child was presented with his induction award by platinum-selling singer-songwriter-guitarist Joan Jett, and a medley of Child's most loved tracks, including "Dude Looks Like a Lady" and "Livin' On a Prayer," was performed by Child, along with his original group, Rouge (Maria Vidal, Diane Grasselli and Myriam Valle), Latin percussionists and horn players.

All in all, it was a very special night for songwriters, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and those lucky enough to attend. As Hall of Fame Chairman/CEO Hall David eloquently put it, "This has been a remarkable year, and an ultimate testimony, both to the power of song, and the undeniable importance of honoring the contributions of our great popular music songwriters who illustrate the emotions and narrate the journeys that directly impact our human experience."