Freakishly Happy

All AP News

---

Johnny Mathis to Get ELLA Award

Photos AP Photo

Tue Jun 13,10:08 AM ET

Pop singer Johnny Mathis will receive the 15th annual ELLA Award

from the Society of Singers, the group announced.

The award, named after its first recipient,

jazz great Ella Fitzgerald, honors entertainers for their

professional success and contributions to charitable and

humanitarian causes. Mathis, 70, is celebrating 50 years in show business.

"Johnny sings from the heart, with one of the most identifiable voices

and individual vocal styles of our time," Jerry F. Sharell, president and chief executive officer

of the Society of Singers, said in a statement issued Monday. "He was also one of the

first singers to join SOS and while he doesn't seek publicity for doing it, Johnny has been hosting and performing at charity events for decades."

Mathis' hits include "Chances Are," "The Twelfth of Never" and "Wonderful! Wonderful." He earned a Grammy nomination for his 2005 album "Isn't It Romantic: The Standards Album."

He will received the ELLA Award on Sept. 12 at the Beverly Hilton.

Previous ELLA recipients include Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Julie Andrews, Placido Domingo, Barry Manilow and Celine Dion.

 

ok, so I was a bit concered at first, because WHY would Johnny Mathis

get an award. right? but considering that his fellow recipients include both

Barry Manilow AND Celine Dion, I suspect my theories are correct.  Once more,

the award seemed to be in fine for at its onset, Ella Fitzgerarld, Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett.

Sadly, their standards must have dropped ;-)