On Tuesday night (May 7) in Nashville, big stars gathered for the Music Biz 2019 awards dinner at the JW Marriott. Bebe Rexha, Peter Frampton and Kane Brown were all honored.
Music Biz 2019 is an annual conference powered by the Music Business Association. During the event, there’s an award show and dinner that honors music executives and artists. Nashville Noise’s Tres Wittum chatted with Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO, Randy Goodman, about receiving the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement and the origin of this conference.
“I had the opportunity between some time at Disney and coming to Sony, where I kind of had a little bit of a sabbatical, and Mayor Karl Dean, the Mayor at the time, called me and he said, ‘I have this idea for a music council and I’d love for you to come on and help me with it,'” Goodman said. The two then discussed Music Biz, an event that had never been to Nashville. “Along with Mayor Dean, we went and saw Mr. [James] Donio and said, ‘We would love to find a way to have you guys here.’ It’s happened and I think it’s turned out well for everybody.”
Rexha and Brown were both honored at the dinner party with Breakthrough Artist Awards. Rexha devoted her acceptance speech to asking for more diversity in music.
“If I can leave you with one thing: we need more women executives in the music business. Only 15 percent of women in the music business actually run labels. The number is really staggering,” she said. “Women deserve a chance and I will make space for them. Women will be equal to all the f**kin’ men. We need more f**kin’ women in higher spots so pay ’em extra, give ’em time, respect them. Women are the ones that have always taught me the most important information in my career.”
The legendary Frampton was honored with the Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement.
“I am having some health problems, but I really am the luckiest guy because my passion for my music has kept me going through many, many years of up and down, up and down, sideways,” he said. “Whatever has been thrown at me… it’s all part of this lifelong dream. I live every day playing my guitar, writing music, recording and performing. Thank you for this incredible award. I don’t deserve it, but I thank you dearly.”
Sony Nashville President Randy Goodman was also on hand. He received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement. Darius Rucker was given the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award.
Other recipients for the event included: Richard Storms and Alayna Alderman, owners of Record Archives store in Rochester, NY were awarded the Independent Spirit Award; The Orchard co-founder Richard Gottehrer accepted the Outstanding Achievement Award and Giles Martin, son of Sir George Martin, represented his father for his induction into the Music Business Hall of Fame.
The Music Busin
Following the event, Nashville Noise attended the epic Symphonic Launch Party at ACME Feed & Seed. According to their website, “Symphonic is one of the leading independent music distribution and marketing companies in the industry.” They’re launching a location in Nashville and, judging by the turnout for the private rooftop party, the music business could not be more excited.
