At the 19th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards, held in New York on
October 11, the Les Paul Award was given to Bruce Springsteen. Named for the creator of the electric guitar,
the Les Paul Award was created in 1991 to honor individuals or institutions that have set the highest
standards in excellence in the creative application of recording technology, according to the organization.
The presenters of the award were mastering veteran Bob Ludwig and Les Paul himself. After a video presentation
summarizing Springsteen's career, Ludwig beamed, saying, "I'm one of his biggest fans. Bruce is first and
foremost a poet and it's a pleasure to work for him." Although Springsteen was not in attendance to accept the
honor, he did send a letter to be read, thanking the production team he has worked with for years, including
Ludwig, mixer Bob Clearmountain and engineer Toby Scott. The letter concluded with a special message of
gratitude to Les Paul, thanking him for the electric guitar, stating, "It's just what I needed." (Report by
Ruth Barohn)
