Stevie Wonder to receive award

NEW YORK -- Stevie Wonder has been selected as recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award by The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The award will be presented June 10 at the 2004 awards dinner at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

"The Johnny Mercer Award goes to a 'songwriter's songwriter,"' Hal David, chairman and chief executive officer of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, said in a statement Thursday.

"I can think of no one who is more deserving of this accolade than Stevie Wonder. His music is known and loved around the world and has made a difference in the lives of so many."

Past recipients include Carole King, Billy Joel, Jimmy Webb, Hal David, Burt Bacharach, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Paul Simon.