Billy Mann

MEET THEM AT THE MET: Songwriter/producer Billy Mann and his wife, Gena, will be honored at tonight's Winter Ball for Autism at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. The event benefits advocacy organization Autism Speaks, on the board of which the Grammy-nominated writer/producer serves, and New York Collaborates for Autism (NYCA). The Manns, whose son, Jasper, is living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have been powerful exponents of greater awareness and more informed policy, meeting with major political figures including the President (seen with the family at right) and Speaker of the House. The MC of tonight's black-tie event is NBC News anchor Brian Williams; Billy will recieve his award from U.S. Senator Bob Casey and artist Kelly Rowland. Mann's longtime collaborator P!nk, Clear Channel's Tom Poleman, Westwood One CEO Paul Caine, SiriusXM's Steve Blatter and Kid Kelly, The Backstreet Boys, Cher, Kobalt chief Willard Ahdritz and many others are among the myriad supporters expected to attend. In addition to his work as a writer/producer, Mann runs BMG-affiliated pubco Green & Bloom/TOPL1NE. (12/2p)