DOUG MORRIS TO BE HONORED AT CLIVE DAVIS’ PRE-GRAMMY GALA

The Academy will present Morris with the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons President's Merit Award “in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music.” Past recipients include His Cliveness, Ahmet Ertegun, Mo Ostin, Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss and Berry Gordy—so Doug’s in good company indeed.

Said Academy top dog Neil Portnow, never at a loss for words: "We are delighted to be continuing the tradition of the Pre-Grammy Gala that Clive began 30 years ago, and to be partnering with him again in what truly is a magical evening of music and memories. This year, we are humbled to honor another music industry great in Doug Morris, who has had a profound impact on the music business throughout his dynamic and rich career. With his creative vision and digital strategies, he continues to explore and shape innovative new ways to bring great artists and their music to fans around the globe, while being a staunch advocate of artists' rights."

Now, here’s a handy-dandy thumbnail bio of the honoree, provided by the Academy for the occasion:

A graduate of Columbia University, Morris began his music career as a songwriter. He wrote the Chiffons' 1966 classic "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and produced such hit records as Brownsville Station's "Smokin' in the Boys Room." He launched his own Big Tree Records, which was acquired by Atlantic Records in 1978 and would mark the beginning of a 17-year successful run with Warner Music. In 1980, he was appointed President of Atlantic, and developed co-venture deals with such renowned labels as Interscope, Matador and Rhino. In 1994, he was appointed President/COO of Warner Music U.S., and under his strategic leadership established Atlantic Nashville, launched EastWest Records and created A*Vision Entertainment.

Continuing his legacy as a music industry leader, Morris began his tenure with UMG when he was appointed Chairman/CEO in 1995. Under his direction, the label has grown to become the world's largest music company, evolving from a record company into a full-fledged music entertainment company. Morris' digital strategies have led to the monetization of online music videos and numerous direct-to-consumer initiatives both online and mobile. Most recently, Morris created VEVO, the new premium music video and entertainment service in partnership with YouTube, which will be launching this week.

Morris serves on the board of directors of CBS Corp. and Activision Blizzard. He also serves on the board of directors of the Robin Hood Foundation, an organization that targets poverty in New York City by finding and funding the most effective programs and partnering with them to maximize results, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a not-for-profit research and education institution that is at the forefront of efforts in molecular biology and genetics to generate knowledge that will yield better diagnostics and treatments for cancer and neurological diseases. He received the City of Hope's Spirit of Life Award in 2008.