{"value"=>"<p>This series represents artists who were members or sought membership in ASCAP. The series, arranged alphabetically, contains half of the alphabet, A-K; the remainder of the alphabet was retained by ASCAP. Many of the files contain ASCAP's official biographical data sheet required by individuals for membership. Around 1980, the biographical data sheets were replaced with publicity material from the artist's company (if signed). Many of the artists are represented with a single file supplemented with some other related career information. The files contain the ASCAP biographical data sheet, related biographical information, correspondence, death notifications, published articles, photograph(s) of the artist, publicity material generated by the signed artist's company, and ephemera.</p> <p>Noted individuals include Stanley Adams (President of ASCAP), Gene Buck (President of ASCAP, 1932-1940), Victor Herbert (the founder of ASCAP), Eubie Blake, Sammy Cahn, Ray Charles, John Denver, Peter DeRose, Neil Diamond, Paul Dresser (Theodore Dreiser's brother), Gershon Ephron, Dorothy Fields, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Eliseo Grenet Sanchez, \"Tiny\" Lloyd Grimes, W.C. Handy, Jimi Hendrix, Langston Hughes, Quincy Jones and KISS.</p>"}