Warriors with a song and a purpose honored by the Songwriters of North AmericaThe five honorees at the 2024 SONA Warrior Awards held last night (October 6) at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles do much more than write the songs that make the whole world sing. Willie "PROPHET" Stiggers, the late songwriter Andrea Martin, Thomas Scherer, RAYE, and Ross Golan were celebrated by the Songwriters of North America (SONA) at the organization’s fourth annual gala for being extraordinary music creators and visionary business leaders who exemplify SONA’s mission of fostering a community of inclusion and uniting passionate creatives, songwriter advocates, and allies.

The SONA Warrior Awards is an event for songwriters held by songwriters honoring songwriters, artists, executives, and activists. It’s a celebration of music and the people who make it. The awards are not doled out based upon the number of record sales or streams, but to acknowledge the leadership and the impact made by these “warriors,” contributions usually made behind the scenes away from the limelight.

“I was so excited to celebrate the 2024 Warrior Awards honorees in front of a packed and enthusiastic house filled with songwriters and the people who love us. We’re in the background so much of the time, but songwriters and composers are a brilliant, funny, and entertaining bunch with lots to say. And we clean up well! Shining the spotlight and putting mics on us, it was an inspiring and meaningful night,” said SONA CEO Michelle Lewis.

After Lewis welcomed the crowd, she introduced the event’s hosts, songwriters Shane Stevens (Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Carrie Underwood) and Bonnie McKee (Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kesha).

The United Kingdom-based RAYE was feted first, accepting her award via video after being introduced by GRAMMY nominated songwriter and producer Michael Sabath (Lizzo, Meghan Trainor, the Jonas Brothers). The singer-songwriter is the first woman to win Songwriter of the Year, making history by winning six BRIT Awards, including Best Artist, Best Album, Best Song, and Best Songwriter, after receiving a record seven nominations. She’s written songs for some of the brightest stars in music - from Charli XCX to Beyoncé - but it was RAYE’s own records that scored eight UK top 20 singles, five billion Spotify streams, and registered her first No. 1 single in the UK for the global hit, “Escapism,” which was the best-selling single by a female British artist last year. The certified platinum single was her first to hit the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. RAYE’s triumphs come after overcoming the adversity of a prolonged battle with her record label, eventually resulting in her freedom to release her debut album, “My 21st Century Blues,” independently. She adds her SONA Warrior Award to her prestigious Ivor Novello Award awarded for songwriting and composing.

Songwriter and ASCAP President Paul Williams, a three-time GRAMMY winner, two-time Golden Globe winner, and an Oscar winner, was present to introduce Sylvia Rhone, the chairwoman and CEO of Sony’s EPIC Records, who bestowed the 2024 SONA Warrior Award to the family of the late songwriter Martin. Martin wrote hit songs for powerhouse female R&B stars including Toni Braxton (“I Love Me Some Him”), En Vogue (“Don’t Let Go”), Monica (“Before You Walk Out of my Life”), Angie Stone (“Wish I Didn’t Miss You”), Leona Lewis (“Better in Time”), Melanie Fiona (“It Kills Me”), and SWV (“You’re the One”). Two-time GRAMMY winner Fiona performed in tribute to Martin.

GRAMMY winner Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) presented the 2024 SONA Warrior Award to Scherer. Spending nearly three decades at BMG and its parent company Bertelsmann as an artist, songwriter, music publisher, producer, label owner, and executive, Scherer has quarterbacked the signing and resigning of songwriters including GRAMMY, Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner Diane Warren, Bebe Rexha, and Lewis Capaldi. He’s also secured the rights to more than fifty song catalogs by Paul Simon, Mötley Crüe, Five Finger Death Punch, and Gucci Mane among them. In addition to serving as president of music publishing in North America, Scherer was named president of global catalog recordings earlier this year.

Mega-selling and 11-time GRAMMY nominated songwriter, producer, and record executive Benny Blanco (Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran) took the stage to honor Ross Golan, a multiplatinum songwriter, record producer, playwright, and the host of the songwriter-centric podcast “And the Writer Is…” As a powerful advocate, Golan played a role in passing the Music Modernization Act, adding songwriters to and abolishing the 33% rule for the GRAMMY’s Album of the Year category. He’s also the first songwriter to serve as a board member of the National Music Publishers Association. After collecting his 2024 SONA Warrior Award, Golan performed the song he wrote for Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman.”

The evening’s final honoree was Stiggers, who is better known as PROPHET, co-founder, CEO, and president of the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC). BMAC is a force in the music industry that advocates for racial equity and justice within the music industry on behalf of Black artists

GRAMMY winning and two-time Oscar nominated singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett closed the show with a performance of the empowering hit “Man in the Mirror,” which she co wrote for Michael Jackson.

The SONA Warrior Awards is also a fundraiser for the organization thus the event included a live auction during which guests bided on such prizes as tickets to see the Eagles’ concert at The Sphere in Las Vegas, songwriting sessions with Stevens and Lauren Christy (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown), Henry Diltz photos of legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, and champagne jeroboams. The proceeds of the event and auction help fund SONA’s advocacy work all year long.The post Warriors with a song and a purpose honored by the Songwriters of North America first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

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Getting It Done: Last Week in DIY and Indie MusicLast week, our tips and advice for do-it-yourselfers and independent musician news covered how market music with YouTube Shorts, how to get a job at a talent agency, and more…
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CCC To Host “Tuning Into Television: Building Your Career As A TV Music Composer”“Tuning Into Television: Building Your Career As A TV Music Composer”Tuesday, October 8, 2024 ZOOM WEBINAR2:30 PM PDT - 4:00 PM PDT

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Join the CCC for an engaging panel discussion on building a career as a television music composer, designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to take your career writing music to the next level! In this session, seasoned professionals and industry experts will share invaluable insights and practical advice on how to find your path to success in the challenging and fast-paced world of composing music for TV.From understanding the demands of the industry to honing your storytelling skills, networking effectively, and securing your first opportunities, panelists will cover a wide range of topics. Learn about navigating the creative process with producers and executives, the newest industry trends, and the importance of building a strong portfolio that showcases your unique talent and style, and more.Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, ask questions, and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about the art composing for TV. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a professional musician looking to transition into television, or simply curious about the world of TV music, this is sure to inspire and inform as you embark on your career journey.The post CCC To Host “Tuning Into Television: Building Your Career As A TV Music Composer” first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

From Pink Floyd’s $400m deal to TikTok’s scrapped Merlin talks… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
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Music Marketing on YouTube Shorts just got 3X betterYouTube just announced several updates, but one in particular offers a major improvement to marketing music on YouTube Shorts. Music Marketing on YouTube Shorts just got 3X beter Starting October. Continue reading
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Nurturing a fanbase is more important than growing itMany artists focus on growing their fanbase, but nurturing a fanbase is key to building lasting success. Learn why shifting your strategy from gaining new followers to cultivating meaningful engagement. Continue reading
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The Realities and Opportunities of Licensing Music for Games The music and video game industries are teaming up for sync licensing opportunities, but many rights-holders are losing out due to pre-cleared music libraries and compulsory licensing. Learn how game placements can revive entire catalogs, offering a lucrative and overlooked revenue stream for artists and their estates.
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$500,000 Gift from Mike Curb Foundation Endows New Program at Occidental CollegeThe Mike Curb Foundation has announced a $500,000 gift to Occidental College’s new John Branca Institute for Music. The gift establishes the Mike Curb Endowed Program in Popular Music History, which will enhance the Institute’s curricular offerings by providing a range of guest speakers and career development events to Occidental students and alumni, as well as the naming of recognized music professionals to the Linda and Mike Curb Fellowship.

“We are thrilled that the Mike Curb Foundation is joining forces with the Branca Institute in its inaugural year,” said David Kasunic, director of the John Branca Institute for Music and associate professor of music. “This gift rightly emphasizes the study of the history of popular music as a prerequisite to creating and understanding popular music today, and that the people who know this history best are the experienced music professionals who have been part of this history.”

The gift will enable the College to bring to campus highly accomplished music professionals with expertise in both music history and the music industry, and will support related programming in perpetuity. In particular, the Curb Fellowship will allow the Branca Institute to capitalize on the tremendous pool of knowledge and talent in the Southern California music industry by bringing that talent into Occidental’s classrooms and music workspaces. Renowned music producer Michael Lloyd, the inaugural Curb Fellow for the 2025-26 academic year, produced 1970s teen idols such as the Osmonds and Shaun Cassidy and supervised the music soundtrack for the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing,” including production of the hit “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

The fellowship will also allow for a greater range of participants in the Branca Institute, especially those with music industry experience but without academic backgrounds. The Curb Fellow will give talks, masterclasses and workshops on practical elements of popular music-making and history, and, by connecting with alumni during networking events, will reinforce the Institute’s commitment to Occidental students beyond their graduation.

Additionally, the endowed program will enhance the Music Department’s ability to teach, advise and critique popular music as part of its fast-growingmusic program, which embeds music theory and practice within a broader liberal arts curriculum. Students develop an understanding of music as a creative work, as a cultural and historical expression and as a performance medium. “Billboard” Magazine has repeatedly ranked Occidental as a Top Music Business School, praising the College for a music program that will solidly position graduates for careers in an increasingly complex music industry.

Curb’s endowment stems from his longstanding involvement in philanthropic activities and also from his close personal friendship with John Branca. He is the former acting governor and lieutenant governor of California, a GRAMMY Award-winning record producer, a “Billboard” record producer of the year and a BMI multi-award-winning songwriter. Curb continues to preside over his own independent record company, which he founded in 1963 and which has launched the careers of numerous stars; Curb artists have received 33 GRAMMY Awards. He has received a star on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles and on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville. He has also partnered with the GRAMMY Museum for numerous programs and initiatives.

Join Occidental College to celebrate the establishment of the institute at an on-campus concert on Oct. 18. Members of the Occidental College Music Department will perform the greatest hits from Branca's most renowned clients, including Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, The Bee Gees, The Beach Boys, and Rodgers & Hammerstein. Tickets are available here. The post $500,000 Gift from Mike Curb Foundation Endows New Program at Occidental College first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.