Pictured showing off their New York Heroes Awards are show host/songwriter/actor Dominic Chianese, Nile Rodgers, John Oates, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Timbaland, Frances Preston, Rub�n Blades and Daryl Hall

Country music icon Willie Nelson presented Preston with the prestigious award, commenting that "Frances is always my hero." Nelson also gave a stellar performance of his classic, "Always On My Mind," in her honor.

The New York Heroes Awards recognize special individuals who have made significant contributions to the New York music community and the community at large. Through this celebration, funds are raised to support the New York Recording Academy Heroes Education Program. This important cultural initiative enables the New York Chapter to award scholarships to deserving high school and college students, and to provide professional development workshops and seminars for Chapter members, other recording industry professionals, and for those who aspire to a career in music.]]> 2003-12-14T17:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233018 Artists, Chianese, Dominic, Harris, Emmylou, Kristofferson, Kris, Musical Styles, Folk BMI songwriter Dominic Chianese, who portrays Uncle Junior on HBO’s hit series The Sopranos, was honored at BMI Nashville (9/6) upon the release of his debut CD, Hits. Album producers John and Dino Elefante and Dub Cornet of The Sound Kitchen hosted the Italian-themed party, which featured Chianese serenading guests in Italian and English from the rooftop stage. Chianese, who as Uncle Junior brought grown mobsters to tears with his moving performance of "Core ‘ngrato" (Ungrateful Heart) in the show’s season finale, is an accomplished tenor who spent his early career in musical theatre. The Bronx native served as MC at New York’s venerable Gerde’s Folk City, where he played host to music luminaries such as Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan.

Dino Elefante, Dominic Chianese, John Elefante, and Dub Cornet

Hits features 13 tracks that run the gamut from traditional Italian tunes such as "State Vicino a Me," (Stay Close to Me) and "Santa Lucia," to popular and traditional American songs such "Guantanamarra," "Amazing Grace" and Kris Kristofferson's “For the Good Times." Chianese displays his own songwriting skills on three original tracks: "A Typical New Yorker," "Love is Real" and "True Love Still On My Mind." Hits arrived in stores on June 5 and is released through Suite 102, a division of Madacy Label Group.

Firstar's Joe Moscheo, Dominic Chianese, Michael Catalano, BMI's David Preston, and Felix Calvaliere.

Dominic Chianese addresses guests prior to performing selections from his debut album Hits.

David Clayton Thomas, Dominic Chianese, Felix Cavaliere, Henry Gross, and Mickey Raphael

"It all started with me being a kid in New York and it really started with Gilbert and Sullivan. I wanted to sing and I knew I could break the mold in my family. My dad was in construction and the family were all bricklayers and stonemasons," reflects Chianese. "I saw Frank Sinatra at New York's Paramount Theater in 1947. He hit me right where the heart is. His first number was Harold Arlen's 'I've Got The World on a String' and I perform that song today in my cabaret act." Chianese, in a break from The Sopranos shooting schedule, sang the Arlen classic during two sold out shows last December at Judy's Chelsea, a Manhattan nightclub.

Chianese's musical career recently took another significant step when the actor signed with BMI's Nashville office, where he took advantage of the city's rich music tradition to work on song demos he's written for film and television.

Chianese is best known for his roles as an Italian-American. In addition to The Sopranos, The Godfather Part II and Gotti, he has appeared in Dog Day Afternoon and such television dramas as Kojak and Law & Order. Though his reputation has largely been built upon his portrayal of mobsters, his roots are firmly planted in musical theater. His musical credits include The Fantastiks and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Like many actors, Chianese had to make ends meet during the early days. He often sang and played guitar in nursing homes. "It's a thrill because I love the elderly," he says. Today, when not dealing with his nephew Tony and trying to retain an element of control over the Soprano family, Dominic Chianese returns to his first love, singing and writing music.