Credit: Norman Seeff

Credit: Norman SeeffJoni Mitchell will receive the Les Paul Innovation Award at the 35th annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards, scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2020, in Anaheim, California.

The honor, named after late electric guitar and multi-track recording pioneer Les Paul, recognizes people or institutions that have made a significant impact on the world of audio production and technology.

“Thank you for this honor,” says the lauded Canadian singer/songwriter. “I’m grateful for being appreciated.”

Notes Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation, which presents the honor, “[Joni] has been a trailblazer and a true renaissance woman — a songwriter, musician, producer and influencer who made her mark with very influential songs in the ’60s. She has pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a female singer-songwriter over the course of her four decade career, and like Les Paul, she’s never been scared to take creative risks.”

Starting as an introspective folk singer and songwriter, Mitchell branched out into rock and jazz, while always being considered among the strongest, most poetic lyricists of her time. Joni also is an accomplished painter. Her many career achievements include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The TEC Awards will be held during the third day of the 2020 NAMM Show, the popular music-equipment trade show that runs from January 16 to January 19. The awards recognize “outstanding achievement in audio technology and production.”

Among the 2020 nominees for awards in the various Creative Achievement categories are Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, and the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Check out the full list of nominees at TECAwards.org.

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