Randy Jackson was presented with the National Artist Advocacy Award for his long-time support of music education and his inspirational leadership as an artist and producer. A 20-year music industry veteran and Grammy Award-winning producer, Mr. Jackson started playing bass guitar at the young age of 13 and earned his first break joining the band Journey. Jackson has recently spent the past six seasons as America's favorite judge on Fox's American Idol. As a music education ambassador, he most recently worked to secure $500 million of new funding for arts education in California public schools. Mr. Jackson has also taken his message to Washington, DC, to raise federal funds for art and music education.