Scott Borchetta. Photo: Rick Diamond.

No announcement has been made on whether Scott Borchetta will align with American Idol’s 15th and final season next year, but he offered plenty of insight about his experiences during the just-ended season during an interview yesterday (May 14). MusicRow caught up with the Big Machine Label Group founder and CEO when he received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement from the Music Business Association (Music Biz) at a ceremony in Nashville.

Borchetta’s duties with the show lasted four months, keeping him in Los Angeles for tapings (including the Borchetta Breakdown series online), spots on the broadcast and returning to Nashville to host the contestants on their trip to Music City.

Yesterday, Borchetta revealed he was most upset to see East Brunswick, NJ-contestant Jax depart Idol’s season 14. The 19-year-old was the only female to make it to the top three before being bested by White House, Tenn.-native Clark Beckham and ultimate winner Nick Fradiani, who received a recording contract with Big Machine.

“Right now all of our energy is going into the winner, and then we’ll see,” said Borchetta of whether or not his label group will sign other contestants from the FOX show.

On the Idol season finale, Scott Borchetta (L) and Nick Fradiani (R). Photo: Kevork Djansezian.

Additionally, there is a chance an artist from another signing competition, NBC’s The Voice, could land on Borchetta’s label. Universal Republic, which is aligned with Borchetta’s Republic Nashville, has first dibs on contestants from The Voice, which will crown a new winner soon. Among the remaining contestants is Meghan Lindsey, who is now a solo artist following a stint with the duo Steel Magnolia, which was previously signed to Big Machine.

When asked about launching artists with or without reality television, Borchetta shrugged off comparisons between the two. “I don’t know if there’s anything that’s traditional about any artist launch,” he said. “Our mission is to attack all media all the time. They gave us the opportunity to go work on Idol, which is an amazing platform. We launch the best we can launch every time.”

Pictured (L-R): Scott Borchetta, Jax. Photo: Fox.

Borchetta also reflected on the legacy of the program. “When you look at American Idol and the iconic show that it is, the legacy will live on in real-time with Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson and now Nick Fradiani and the other great contestants,” he continued. “To have that relevance in the marketplace to continue long after the show is done is the testament to its impact on American culture.”

Memorable experiences over the past season for the 52-year-old executive include working with Jason DeRulo and Boy George. “Jason is a great artist. Never in my life did I think Boy George and I would work together on anything. But we became immediate friends. He’s incredibly humble, kind and smart. I could go on and on, it was a great experience.”

Borchetta’s alignment with CAA helped secure his spot as Idol’s official season 14 mentor.

Pictured (L-R): Fred Beteille (Chairman of Music Biz), Scott Borchetta (president and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group), Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers), Martina McBride, Patrick Simmons (The Doobie Brothers), Meghan Trainor, John McFee (The Doobie Brothers), and James Donio (Music Biz President). Photo: Rick Diamond.

The Music Business Association (Music Biz; formerly NARM), made its award presentations this afternoon (May 14) prior to wrapping up its first conference in Nashville, Tenn.

The Sheraton’s Capitol ballroom welcomed honorees including Meghan Trainor (Breakthrough Artist), Scott Borchetta (Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement), Martina McBride (Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award), The Who (Outstanding Achievement Award for 50 Years of Musical Excellence), The Doobie Brothers (Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement) and Jack White (Music Biz’s inaugural Innovator Award).

The Who and White were honored in presentations made earlier in the week with the former appearing via video at the luncheon.

Music Biz president James Donio served as host for the two hour event, which honored Trainor with her first award ever.

“I’ve never been to an award ceremony like this and actually won,” said Trainor. “Thank you to all the people who help me sing about my bass. Nashville was the first place that opened their arms to let me write here. Thank you to Carla Wallace, who is like my second mother. Big Yellow Dog signed me as a baby when I was deciding whether or not to go to college. Thank you for supporting me writing for all these crazy genres.”

Sandy Chapin, Harry Chapin’s widow, presented McBride for her humanitarian achievements.

“It’s interesting to be recognized for humanitarian efforts,” McBride said humbly. “I feel like God has given me this platform, but it’s really the volunteers that do all the work. It’s on their behalf that I accept this award.”

Borchetta, fresh off the plane from last night’s American Idol finale in Los Angeles, spoke directly to the business-focused audience, noting, “I love the [NARM to Music Biz] name change. My entire career, it’s been music first. The businesses follows. I get questions about wearing the [Music Has Value logo]. It’s a great conversation starter. Free music streaming is going to time out. We don’t let someone else build an industry on our backs. Let’s own it!”

Candace Berry, EVP and GM of Universal Music Group distribution, presented Borchetta with a giant plaque commemorating record sales from their partnership.

Pictured (L-R): Scott Borchetta (President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group), Linda Kury (Vice President Sales Associated Labels at Universal Music Group), Troy Scott (Director of Label and Non-Trad Marketing at Universal Music Group), Joshua Tario (Senior Director Sales – Catalog at Universal Music Group), and Candace Berry (EVP GM Universal Music Distribution). Photo: Rick Diamond.

The Doobie Brothers were honored by YouTube product manager Fred Beteille, who was recently appointed to chairman of Music Biz. Tom Johnston of the legendary rock band accepted the trophy alongside Patrick Simmons.

“We had a wonderful experience with Sony Nashville,” said Simmons. “It was great for us to creatively step in a new headspace. Thank you to David Huff, our producer, and Kate Richardson (marketing/PR). It’s great to still be rockin’ all these years.”

Michael McDonald, a Franklin, Tenn. resident, offered regrets for attendance but appreciation via video presentation.

Martina McBride and poet Sandy Chapin. Photo: Rick Diamond.

Meghan Trainor (L) and Music Biz President James Donio (R). Photo: Rick Diamond.

Teen Cancer America national ambassadors The Band Perry.

The Band Perry are acting as national ambassadors for the organization Teen Cancer America. Roger Daltrey, founder of the non-profit, shared the news at a press event yesterday (May 11) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, prior to his band The Who’s concert there.

Daltrey also welcomed the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as the newest hospital to partner with Teen Cancer America (TCA). Daltrey noted the special emotional and social needs of teens with cancer, and how they sometimes fall through the cracks at hospitals. “They’re too old to be children and too young to be adults,” he said.

Three young cancer patients and former patients were part of the program. One boy explained what he wanted when he was undergoing treatment: a mini fridge, a place to play Legos and a DVR. That’s not too much to ask.

Daltrey shared a recent experience where he visited a hospital and was surprised to find that three teen boys were being treated there but hadn’t met each other. “They just want a room where they can do the things that teenagers do… have a bit of fun and talk to each other,” said the rock star. “The best therapy is to talk to each other.”

Kimberly Perry said, “We’ve noticed that teens and young adults still struggle with the same fears and anxieties (as younger children), that’s why we were so excited that TCA has a specific focus on catering to their needs. That’s programs, that’s environments, that’s mini fridges. And we are so excited to be in discussion with Vanderbilt to bring a wing here as our hometown community. This is near and dear to The Band Perry’s heart because so many of our fans at the shows night after night are teens and young adults… We’ve been looking for a long time for a non-profit to be involved with.”

Also on hand were TCA chair Rebecca Rothstein, and CEO Simon Davies; as well as Dr. Scott Borinstein, Vanderbilt Asst. Professor/director, Sarcoma Program.

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have been patrons of Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, the forerunner to TCA, for over 20 years. Based on its success in bringing the issues facing teens and young adults with cancer to the forefront, they expanded their efforts by founding Teen Cancer America in 2012. Vanderbilt is the eleventh hospital to join TCA; the organization is in talks with dozens of others to create more specialized facilities and programs to serve this age group.

Throughout The Who Hits 50! North America Tour, Teen Cancer America will be in attendance on each stop and will host fan fundraising events. The Who are donating $1.00 from every ticket sold to Teen Cancer America and fundraising through text donations (text WHO to 20222).

Photos: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.

The Band Perry with Roger Daltrey and Reece, a former cancer patient.