The National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers has given Billy Joel its Presidential Award, the organization's highest honor.
Joel will be presented with the award by outgoing NARM president Arnie Bernstein of the Musicland Group at the NARM Scholarship Foundation Dinner, set for March 7 during the NARM convention in Orlando, Fla.
Previous Presidential Awards, bestowed on artistic achievers, went to Nat King Cole, Leonard Bernstein, Barbra Streisand, Benny Goodman, Cleo Laine and Issac Stern.
NARM also announced that the American Latin Music Assn. will host a reception and dance party featuring artists from three of its member companies on Monday, March 8, and will spotlight gospel music at a seminar on the same date. Sparrow Records artist Steven Curtis Chapman will be among the panelists participating in "Gospel Music: It's Not Just for Sundays Anymore."
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