Tom Petty is getting recognized for his lengthy and influential career. The rocker is this year’s recipient of the ASCAP Founders Award, which he received at the performance rights organization’s 31st annual Pop Music Awards.
Billboard.com says Petty reflected on the task of songwriting in his acceptance, calling it “long, lonely work” in which “you sit there waiting for magic.” He also gave a nod to those who influenced him, saying his generation of songwriters used their skills to “speak to the world” about the issues of the day.
Petty added that he “learned what a good song might be” through such artists as Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne — who presented the award.
The ASCAP Founders Award honors songwriters who have made “pioneering contributions to music,” and who have inspired both their peers and others who have followed.
The 31st annual Pop Music Awards, which celebrates the most performed ASCAP pop songs of 2013, took place in Los Angeles Wednesday night.