this TJ Martell Foundation On September 15, at the annual New York Honors Gala, the organization raised more than $3.2 million for cancer research, the highest amount raised by the event in more than two decades. Founder of Red Light Management Colin Capshaw Awarded a Lifetime Music Industry Award by his longtime friend Dave Matthewsthe evening also featured a captivating solo acoustic performance by Matthews, Treanastasio and Chris Stapleton in the name of capshaw
“Colan and his artists have an incredible philanthropic spirit,” said Steve Gawley, Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice President/Head of Business and Legal Affairs at Republic Collective. “When we first asked Coran to help us, he didn’t just agree to accept this honor. He brought his team, his artists, his relationships and his heart and soul – and look what happened. But tonight is not just about the whole. It’s about what this money allows us to do: It allows brilliant scientists to take risks, advance promising ideas, and provide people facing cancer with what matters most – and more time.
In accepting the honor from Matthews, Capshaw said, “I think what really unites this room, whether it’s musicians or the business community, is our industry’s tendency to do good and give back. There’s no question that we are truly the go-to industry for fundraising and response in times of need — whether it’s floods, hurricanes, fire relief, or helping our communities — musicians and the teams behind them, really step up.”
All three musical performances paid tribute to Capshaw, with each artist sharing memories and personal experiences related to the disease that inspired their support of the foundation. Matthews performed two acoustic renditions of what he considered Capshaw’s favorite DMB classics, “Save Me” and “Don’t Drink the Water.” Anastasio described Capshaw as a man who “cares about three things: music, giving back to the community, and raising money for the things he cared about,” and detailed his ability to inspire—he opened a sober retreat in Vermont after a conversation with Capshaw—as well as his own experience with cancer, which saw him lose his sister and best friend to the disease. He then performed acoustic versions of “Waste” and “More,” a collaboration with Matthews. Stapleton ended the night with “Where Rainbows Never Die” and the classic “Tennessee Whiskey,” a song he recorded with his former bluegrass band the SteelDrivers.
+ Billy Joel Collaborator Freddy Wexler Launched a new independent label, Wexler RecordsThe inaugural roster consists entirely of artists under the age of 20. The list includes pop group JYT, country artist Madden Metcalf, and Kauani and Carter Barnes from Disney’s new Mickey Mouse Club.
In 2024, Wexler made headlines for collaborating with Joel on his first new song in decades.
A statement about the label’s ethos reads: “Great labels are defined by artist development: seeing extraordinary potential before the world does, nurturing it, and then launching it with purpose. Wexler Records was built to bring that discipline back. We believe in data, but data tells you what happened; it doesn’t always identify what’s next. We don’t just chase statistics – we develop artists who can create them.”
+ Warner Chappell Music Nashville Announcing renewed global publishing deal with Grammy-nominated country trio Midland. The group first made a splash with 2017’s smash hit “Drinkin’ Problem,” and has released a string of hit albums and singles, most recently helping to earn a CMA Vocal Group of the Year nomination for their latest album, “Stages.”
“Warner Chappelle has been a part of the Midland story for so long and we’re so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. They’ve always understood how important these songs are to us and have given us the support and freedom to continue making authentic music. We’re excited to continue building what we’ve started with a team that truly believes in the band and the direction we’re heading.”
+ Senior public relations staff Jessica Nall Already joined Full coverage communicationsthe company announced this week. She most recently worked at Jonesworks, shooting promotional videos for Zac Brown Band, Ciara, J Balvin, Brent Faiyaz and more. Prior to joining Jonesworks, Nall spent nearly a decade at Atlantic Records, where she worked closely with Oliver Tree, Janelle Monáe, Lizzo, Arden Jones and others.
+mom+pop named Dalia Stacera Serves as Vice President of Digital Marketing. In her new role, Stachera will build and lead a new digital team, develop social strategy and audience engagement, and execute digital marketing initiatives across the brand. She will be based in the company’s New York office and report directly to Mom+Pop founder Michael Goldstone.
Stachera joins Mom+Pop Music from a career in digital marketing at Republic Records, where she oversaw activities for bands including Five Seconds of Summer, Nick Jonas and Haiden Henderson. Prior to Republic, Stacera spent three years at RCA, working with artists including Tate McRae and Rex Orange County.
+ Inductive Entertainment Signed 22-year-old R&B artist Jay Starr to its record label and publishing roster. Starr said, “Working with Electric Feel has been a great experience from the beginning. The energy, chemistry, and support of the team are real, and I’m excited to build with people who understand the vision. This next chapter will be about improving as an artist, growing, and creating something real.”
+ voice swapIt is the largest neighboring rights organization in the world, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Music national copyright management The parties signed a reciprocal agreement to enhance cross-border neighboring rights management and create new revenue streams for U.S. and UAE rights holders. MusicNation is a collective management organization that aims to ensure that local and international performing artists, record labels, songwriters, publishers and other rights holders are compensated for the use of their works in the UAE and through reciprocal arrangements in other markets where their works are commercially used.
Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, said: “This groundbreaking reciprocal agreement with Music Nation will open up new revenue streams for SoundExchange artists and rights holders whose music is played in the UAE, while ensuring that Emirati creators are compensated when their music is played in the United States. It also enables SoundExchange to offer these services to a number of its partner CMOs around the world, with CExMO having the option of existing programs in the UAE.
Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of MusicNation, said: “Music is one of the most powerful expressions of identity, culture and human artistry. As the UAE continues to grow its creative economy and attract foreign investment, it is our responsibility to establish systems that ensure artists and rights holders are respected, their music is protected and they are fairly compensated in line with global standards. With SoundExchange This agreement represents a national and industry milestone and advances the country’s and industry’s mission to create a transparent, globally connected music rights ecosystem in the UAE.