Dr. Luke named 2009 songwriter of year

Lukasz (Dr. Luke) Gottwald has been named pop songwriter of the year by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers after penning five of the top hits of 2009.

ASCAP celebrated its top pop songwriters on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles, with awards for the composers and writers behind the hits of 2009, as well as tributes to influential musicians such as Patti Smith and the Killers.

Jason Mraz earned the song of the year honours for his hit, I'm Yours.

American producer and songwriter Dr. Luke earned his first songwriter of the year honours with his string of 2009 hits.

His songs included:

• Katy Perry's Hot N Cold.
• Miley Cyrus's Party in the USA.
• Britney Spears' Circus.
• Kelly Clarkson's My Life Would Suck Without You.
• Flo Rida's Right Round.

Dr. Lukewas named one of the top producers of the decade by Billboardin 2009. He has worked with artists such as Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Kesha and Kelly Clarkson.

ASCAP also paid tribute to punk poet Smith, who was given the Founders Award to mark her long-term influence on American music. ASCAP president Paul Williams called Smith "a songwriter, poet, trailblazer and rock icon whose creative genius and rock 'n' roll spirit will continue to inspire generations to come."

The Killers were presented with the Vanguard Award, which recognizes genres that help shape the future of American music. All four members of the Las Vegas band vocalist/keyboardist Brandon Flowers, guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci were on hand to accept their award.

Other songwriters honoured for their work in 2009:

• C. "Tricky" Stewart for Blame It, Obsessed and Single Ladies (with Kuk Harrell).
• Katy Perry for Hot N Cold and Waking Up In Vegas.
• Marcella Araica for Knock You Down and Sober.
• Matthew (Boi-1da) Samuels for Best I Ever Had.
• Andrea Martin for Better In Time.
• The All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler for Gives You Hell.