Today, we introduce a few of the nominees who have already made New York a better place through their selfless actions and unflagging dedication.

If you feel like grabbing a mike and singing a song like "When Your Old Wedding Ring was New," Denis McHugh is the pianist for you.

"I bet I know songs karaoke won't have," said the 69-year-old grandfather, who for 40 years has made a living tickling the ivories at Manhattan restaurants and bistros where he invites customers up to croon or just sing out their requests.

"I bring back a lot of memories by playing the old songs," said McHugh.

Werner Helmstaedter, 58, a fan of McHugh, sang his praises as a nominee for the Liberty Ambassador Medal as a talented entertainer who keeps the "beautiful old songs" alive.

"He has contributed a great deal to the morale of New Yorkers," he said.

The gravel-voiced McHugh currently plays at the Stuyvesant Café on First Avenue and the Limerick on West 23rd Street.

Over the years, his audiences have included many a prominent listener. William Shatner "used to ask for 'Moon River,' and the late, legendary football coach Vince Lombardi liked 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon,' " the pianist said.

The New York native plays "99 percent by ear" and, by some estimates, his repertoire is about 4,000 songs. It includes tunes by composers Cole Porter and George Gershwin as well as a multitude of Broadway show tunes and vintage standards that "I have no idea who wrote them," McHugh said.

And his own favorite? Kern's "All the Things You Are," because "I just think it's a beautiful melody."