Martell Foundation raised more than $3.2 million for cancer research at its annual New York Honors Gala on Sept. 15 — the most the event has raised in more than two decades. Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw was presented with the Lifetime Music Industry Award by his longtime friend Dave Matthews, and the evening also featured captivating solo acoustic performances by Matthews, Trey Anastasio and Chris Stapleton in Capshaw’s honor. He brought his team, his artists, his relationships and his whole heart – and look what happened.
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.” In accepting the honor from Matthews, Capshaw said, “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.” The three musical performances all paid homage to Capshaw, with each artist sharing memories as well as personal experiences with the illness that inspired their support for the foundation.
Matthews performed acoustic renditions of two DMB classics he said he thought were Capshaw favorites, “Save Me” and “Don’t Drink the Water.” Anastasio described Capshaw as someone who “cares about three things: music, giving back and raising money for things he cares about” and detailed his ability to motivate — he opened a sober retreat in Vermont after a conversation with him — and also his own experiences with cancer, having lost his sister and best friend to the illnes. He then performed acoustic versions of “Waste,” a song he collaborated on with Matthews, and “More.” Closing the evening was Stapleton with “Where Rainbows Never Die,” a track he recorded with his former bluegrass band the SteelDrivers, and the classic “Tennessee Whiskey.” + Billy Joel collaborator Freddy Wexler has launched a new independent label, Wexler Records, with an inaugural roster composed entirely of artists under 20. The roster includes pop group JYT, country artist Madden Metcalf, and Kauani and Carter Barnes, from Disney’s new Mickey Mouse Club.
Wexler made headlines in 2024 by collaborating with Joel on his first new song in decades. A statement about the label’s ethos reads: “The great record labels were defined by artist development: seeing extraordinary potential before the world did, nurturing it and then launching it with purpose. Wexler Records is built to bring that discipline back.
We believe in data, but data tells you what has happened; it can’t always recognize what should happen next. We don’t simply chase stats—we develop artists who will create them. When an artist makes the hairs on our arms stand up, we will take the risk.
And because our broader company already operates across music, film, television, animation, storytelling and brand partnerships, we are uniquely positioned to build an entire flywheel around them — one that extends far beyond the traditional record-label model.” + Warner Chappell Music Nashville has announced the renewal of a global publishing agreement with Grammy-nominated country trio Midland. The group first made a splash with the 2017 smash hit “Drinkin’ Problem” and has released a series of hit albums and singles, most recently their latest album, “Stages,” which helped bring a CMA nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. Midland said: “Warner Chappell has been part of the Midland story for a long time, and we’re really proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
