Chart-Topping Songwriter Kara DioGuardi to be Honored at World's Largest Celebration of Italian-American Heritage

Chart-Topping Songwriter Kara DioGuardi to be Honored at World's Largest Celebration of Italian-American Heritage

Returns to Site of Early Ovations as Part of Audience

American Idol Star Katharine McPhee to Perform DioGuardi Songs

NEW YORK, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 1983, at the tender age of 12, Kara DioGuardi took to the Waldorf-Astoria stage and belted out a series of songs at the Columbus Citizens Foundation's Annual Gala Dinner: Oscar Hammerstein's "Getting to Know You," Bette Midler's "The Rose" and "The Wind Beneath My Wings," and John Kander and Fred Ebb's "New York, New York."

The crowd of nearly 1,000 people -- including dignitaries from Italy and Sophia Loren, the Grand Marshal of New York City's Columbus Day Parade that year -- showered the performance with cheers of "Brava!"

On October 6, Ms. DioGuardi will return to the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom. But this time, she will be part of the audience as Honoree of the Columbus Citizens Foundation's Annual Gala Dinner. The artist singing onstage will be American Idol star Katharine McPhee, who will be performing standards as well as a song Ms. DioGuardi wrote.

Ms. DioGuardi is BMI's Pop Songwriter of the Year. Her songs are on over 100 million records, including performances by Celine Dion, Faith Hill, and Christina Aguilera.

Her creative gifts have led to collaborations with performers who work in an exceptionally wide range of styles, from Latin crooner Enrique Iglesias and Pop goddesses Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani to soulful rockers Carlos Santana and Avril Lavigne and peaches and cream Disney stars Hilary Duff and Hannah Montana.

Ms. DioGuardi's success in so many styles is unusual in the music industry. "I love all kinds of music," she said. "It's easy to stay inspired when you jump from genre to genre and project to project. Every day is a chance to create something unique."

In addition to her songwriting, Ms. DioGuardi is co-owner of Arthouse Entertainment, where she develops and mentors fellow writers, producers, and artists. Founded just three years ago, Arthouse Entertainment has been on Billboard's chart of Top-Ten national music publishers for three consecutive quarters.

Ms. DioGuardi still does what she did at the Waldorf-Astoria 29 years ago -- sing. Her performances highlight the backgrounds on multi-platinum records, and she is continuously behind-the-scenes, vocal producing the mega- stars who have made her songs among the most widely-known in the world.

Not only will Ms. DioGuardi return to the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom, but she also will be marching in New York City's Columbus Day Parade, the largest celebration of Italian-American heritage in the world, on October 8. The parade is organized by the non-profit Columbus Citizens Foundation, which holds events celebrating Italian heritage and raises scholarship funds for needy and deserving students. In 2007, it is providing financial aid to 849 students.

"It's a thrill to go back to the Waldorf," said Ms. DioGuardi. "I remember watching the Columbus Day Parade when I was growing up and being in awe of people like Sophia Loren, who is such an amazing person and actor. It's amazing to realize that what I've been able to do in my life is a source of inspiration for others. I feel like I've barely gotten started."

   Press contact: Andrew Decker  |  Andrew Decker Communications                  T. 212.222.4688  |  F. 212.222.3188  |  adecker@att.net    For Kara DioGuardi:                  Marcel Pariseau  |  True Public Relations                  T. 323.957.0730  |  323.957.0731                  marcel@truepublicrelations.com    Events         Columbus Citizens Foundation Annual Gala Dinner                  Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in                   New York                  50th St. and Park Ave., 6:30 PM to Midnight                   63rd Annual Columbus Day Parade                  Monday, October 8, 2007, Fifth Ave. from 44th to 79th                   Streets, 11:45 AM    Tickets:       Columbus Citizens Foundation, 212.249.9923  

Source: Columbus Citizens Foundation

CONTACT: Andrew Decker, +1-212-222-4688, adecker@att.net, for Columbus
Citizens Foundation

Web site: http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment