Barbra made a rare appearance in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (May 6), for the 2008 Ascap Film and Television Music Awards which were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. She presented the Founders Award to Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
The renowned songwriting duo, who have been married for 50 years and collaborated even longer, were honored with the ASCAP Founders' Award for their half-century of contributions to the Great American Songbook. Many of their songs have become standards, including "The Way We Were," "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life," "The Windmills of Your Mind," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," "It Might Be You," "The Summer Knows" and many more.
The Bergmans have won three Oscars, three Emmys and a Grammy. Their many composer collaborators have included Michel Legrand, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Marvin Hamlisch, Henry Mancini, John Williams, Elmer Bernstein and James Newton Howard.
Streisand appeared near the end of the 40-minute presentation following a film clip from The Way We Were that featured her vocal of the title song, one of the Bergmans' most memorable lyrics (with music by Marvin Hamlisch). Streisand recalled that she first met the team when she was 18 years old, adding that "they have been such an integral part of my life and career. Their words move me every time I sing them. Their gifts have enriched my life and all of our lives."
