The T.J. Martell Foundation hosted its sold-out 51st Annual New York Honors Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, raising more than $3.2 million for cancer research.

The evening was hosted by T.J. Martell Foundation Chair of the Board of Trustees Steve Gawley (Executive Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs, REPUBLIC Collective) in collaboration with the Foundation’s Executive Committee which includes Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Records), Tom Corson (Warner Music Group/Warner Records), John Esposito (HEY NOW Records, and Foundation Executive Chairman), Daniel Glass (Glassnote Entertainment Group), Jeffrey Harleston (Universal Music Group, and Foundation Executive Chairman), Michael Huppe (SoundExchange), Rich Isaacson (R I Entertainment), Michael Kushner (Sedlmayr & Associates), Dennis Lord (Gordon Law Group), Marc Reiter (Metallica), Darren Stupak, Julie Swidler (Launchpad Advisors), Andy Tavel (Raines Feldman Littrell), Ron Wilcox (MD Consulting, Treasurer) and Lynn-Anne Huck (The T.J. Martell Foundation, CEO). Live Nation joined as the inaugural sponsor of the New York Honors Gala red carpet reception.

Red Light Management Founder Coran Capshaw was presented with the Lifetime Music Industry Award by his longtime friend Dave Matthews. Matthews, Trey Anastasio and Chris Stapleton performed in Capshaw’s honor.

“Coran and his artists have an incredible spirit of philanthropy,” shared Chair of the Board of Trustees Gawley during opening remarks. “When we first asked Coran to help us, he didn’t simply agree to be honored. He brought his team, his artists, his relationships and his whole heart – and look what happened. Tonight, this gala has raised more than $3.2 million for cancer research, making it the most successful New York Honors Gala in more than two decades. But tonight isn’t just about the total. It’s about what the money allows us to do: it lets brilliant scientists take risks, moves promising ideas forward, and gives people facing cancer what matters most – better treatments, more cures and more time with the people they love.”

“We all get hit by cancer – whether it’s an artist we work with, ourselves, friends and family. It makes me think of our friend Chip Hooper. It’s been over 10 years now. He left us early, and it’s a loss I feel to this minute. He was close to many of us in this room. It’s nice to see such a cross section of the industry here: promoters, agents, labels, publishers, attorneys, and artists we work with,” Capshaw shared. “I think what really unites this room, both the musicians and the business side alike, is our industry’s inclination to do good and to give back. Without fail, we really are the go-to industry for fundraising and responding in times of need-whether it be a flood, a hurricane, fire relief, or helping our communities – musicians and the teams behind them, really step up. As we’re hearing tonight, this is the 51st year of this event. Not quite the same ring as the 50th, 60th…25th…who wants to be 51st? And actually, we’re here together for the first year of the next 50 years of this organization. We hope some real breakthroughs will happen in this next chapter.”

The Americana Music Association honored several artists, songwriters and musicians last night (Sept. 16) at the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium.

Molly Tuttle won Artist of the Year for the first time. Tyler Childers received Album of the Year for Snipe Hunter, produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn.

Brandi Carlile earned Song of the Year for “Returning to Myself,” the title track from her latest album, which she wrote herself. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings claimed Duo/Group of the Year for the second year in a row.

Ken Pomeroy received Emerging Act of the Year following a breakout year that included the release of her acclaimed 2025 album Cruel Joke. Mandy Fer, an electric guitarist and touring musician with Allison Russell, was named Instrumentalist of the Year.

The ceremony featured several special moments, including Bernie Taupin presenting Carlile with her award. Hayes Carll and Elizabeth Cook paid tribute to the late Todd Snider, while the evening closed with an all-star performance of The Mavericks’ “Dance the Night Away” in honor of Raul Malo.

Buddy Miller returned as musical director of the Americana All-Star Band. The group also featured Larry Campbell, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, The McCrary Sisters and Don Was.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Robert Plant and Dolly Parton were each recognized with Americana Lifetime Achievement honors.

The Heartbreakers reunited for the ceremony with special guest Chris Stapleton. I’m With Her, featuring Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins, joined Carlile for a tribute to Parton with “Coat of Many Colors.”

Plant returned to the Ryman for the Americana Honors & Awards for the first time in 15 years. As a 2026 Lifetime Achievement honoree, he performed “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” and “Angel Dance.”

A video recorded by Parton before her death in August 2026 was also shown during the ceremony as she accepted her honor.

Additional performances throughout the night came from Boy Golden, Crowe Boys, Flatland Cavalry, Jesse Welles, Kashus Culpepper, Kathleen Edwards, Pomeroy, Margo Price, Tuttle, Mon Rovîa and S.G. Goodman.

“What an incredible way to celebrate the 25th annual Americana Honors & Awards,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation. “The breadth and depth of talent on stage this evening is beyond words. Celebrating The Heartbreakers’ historic reunion with special guest Chris Stapleton, getting to honor the legendary Robert Plant and our beloved Dolly Parton made this show one of the most special ones I’ve been a part of. Congratulations to all the winners and honorees; we are so grateful to everyone who is a member of this Americana community.”

Wyatt McCubbin stopped by the MusicRow office to share a preview of his debut album, 650, due on Oct. 16 via Dave Cobb’s Lucille Records/MCA.

Originally from a four-way-stop town in Ohio, McCubbin began driving to Nashville every other week to write songs at the age of 17 after Billy Yates noticed him on social media.

Since then, he has spent the last 16 years honing his craft and writing nearly 2,000 songs. As a songwriter, he has earned credits on with Luke Combs’ “Daytona 499,” Zach Top’s “Sounds Like The Radio,” Lainey Wilson’s “Whiskey Colored Crayon,” “Jon Pardi’s “Boots Off” and Cody Johnson’s “Horseback,” among others, earning him a spot on MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters list in both 2024 and 2025.

Last year, he was offered a record deal on Dave Cobb’s Lucille Records through MCA and began cutting what would become 650. “I had always selfishly dreamed of making records like the records that affected me,” he says. “The Rodney Crowell and Guy Clark records. The opportunity popped up, and it all just felt like it was lining up.”

During the visit, McCubbin shared “Andy Griffith,” “Gunsmoke,” a tribute to his late grandfather, and “Mr. Neon.”

McCubbin will tour with Zach Top through the fall, before joining Luke Combs’ “My Kinda Saturday Night Tour” next year.

Musician, entrepreneur and KISS co-founder Gene Simmons will be honored with the IEBA’s (International Entertainment Buyers Association) Lifetime Achievement Award during the IEBA 2026 Honors & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 6 at The Pinnacle Nashville.

Simmons has been one of rock’s most recognizable and influential figures for over five decades. As co-founder, bassist and vocalist of KISS, he helped transform the band into a global phenomenon, combining music, spectacle, branding and a live experience that influenced generations of artists and reshaped expectations for the rock concert. KISS was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Gene Simmons embodies the kind of lasting impact the IEBA Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize,” says Brian Wagner, Executive Director of IEBA. “KISS didn’t simply build a catalog of iconic music; they changed the scale and possibilities of the live concert experience. Gene’s vision for connecting music, performance, spectacle and brand has influenced generations of artists and live entertainment professionals, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate that legacy at IEBA 2026.”

The IEBA Honors & Awards Ceremony recognizes outstanding achievement across the live entertainment business, with IEBA members selecting winners in categories including Club, Casino, Theater, Arena, Amphitheater, Fair/Expo and Festival of the Year, as well as awards recognizing leading talent buyers, agents, promoters, venue executives, young professionals and music and entertainment industry educators.

The ceremony will also celebrate the 2026 IEBA Hall of Fame class, with inductions honoring Chubby Checker and Gil Cunningham. Established in 2010, the IEBA Hall of Fame recognizes those whose lasting contributions have helped shape the live entertainment industry. The Honors & Awards cap three days of programming, bringing together the professionals who drive the live entertainment business at IEBA 2026, Oct, 4–6.

BMI has launched a new free service, BMI Health Connect, designed to help its music creators find healthcare coverage.

The service is available exclusively for its U.S.-based songwriters and composers, and makes it easier to find the right healthcare coverage for them and their immediate families. Created in collaboration with Gallagher Alternative Health Solutions, a global leader in insurance brokerage, the program connects creators with advisors who provide personalized, one-on-one guidance to help understand options and choose the best healthcare coverage that fits their individual needs, circumstances and budget.

Through BMI Health Connect, music creators will be able to understand and compare nationally recognized health coverage options, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange plans, private off-exchange plans and Medicare, as well as dental, vision and other types of insurance offerings. They can also get answers to questions from independent and unbiased healthcare insurance experts who have access to hundreds of insurance plans, including those not available on state exchanges, and whose goal is to help find the best insurance options available.

“Supporting our music creators is at the heart of everything we do at BMI,” says Mike O’Neill, CEO, BMI. “We know first-hand from our affiliates that finding the right healthcare coverage can be overwhelming and isn’t a one size-fits-all experience, especially for music creators and their families. BMI Health Connect was created to help bring clarity to an often-complex process and connect our songwriters and composers with a trusted resource so they can spend less time navigating health coverage and more time doing what they do best – creating the world’s best music.”

BMI Health Connect is available right now, and BMI affiliates are encouraged to contact an advisor before open enrollment begins for ample time to ask questions and go over available options. BMI Affiliates in need of immediate coverage can enroll in short-term medical plans right now or enroll in other plans with a Qualifying Life Event. Click here to learn more or call (833) 997-5805.

Enrollment deadlines for 2027 coverage:
Medicare Open Enrollment: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7
ACA Open Enrollment: Nov. 1 – Dec. 15