Hall of Fame to honor 'Take Me Out'

NEW YORK, May 27 (UPI) -- "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is to be honored with the Towering Song Award at the upcoming 2008 Songwriters Hall of Fame gala in New York, organizers said.

Produced by Phil Ramone, the event is to be held June 19 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan.

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was submitted to the Office of Copyright 100 years ago by composer Albert von Tilzer and lyricist Jack Norworth. It has been ranked in survey polls as one of the top 10 songs of the 20th century and, along with "Happy Birthday" and "The Star Spangled Banner," is among the most easily recognized songs in the United States.

Previous Towering Songs include "Unchained Melody," "When The Saints Go Marching In," "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," "You're a Grand Old Flag," "What the World Needs Now is Love" and "Fly Me to the Moon."

Inductees at this year's event include Desmond Child, Albert Hammond, Loretta Lynn, Alan Menken and John Sebastian.

Paul Anka is to receive the Johnny Mercer Award, Anne Murray the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award and John Rzeznik the Hal David Starlight Award.