SONA Warrior Awards: Honoring Exeptional Songwriters
Songwriters of North America, or SONA, hosted their fourth annual Warrior Awards to celebrate and honor extraordinary songwriters and composers. This year’s gala honorees included RAYE, Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Ross Golan, Thomas Scherer, and Andrea Martin.
Shane Stevens and Bonnie McKee hosted SONA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Performances by various exceptional songwriters. echoed through the walls of the Skirball Culture Center in Los Angeles. Beautifully demonstrating SONA’s mission of inclusive and passionate creatives in the music business. Each year the SONA Warrior Awards are held by songwriters to honor other songwriters, artists, executives, and activists who are making an impact. It’s not so much about the sales or streams. It’s about the humanity they display away from the spotlight. Proceeds from the event help fund SONA’s advocacy work all year long. SONA CEO Michelle Lewis said,
“I was so excited to celebrate the 2024 Warrior Awards honorees in front of a packed and enthusiastic house filled with songwriters and the people who love us. We’re in the background so much of the time, but songwriters and composers are a brilliant, funny, and entertaining bunch with lots to say. And we clean up well! Shining the spotlight and putting mics on us, it was an inspiring and meaningful night,”
RAYNE-SONA WARRIOR AWARD WINNER
RAYE, a U.K.-based singer and songwriter was the first to accept her award via video. Introduced by GRAMMY-nominated producer and songwriter Michael Sabath, RAYE made history as the first woman to win Songwriter of the Year. She has written hits for some of the biggest names in Pop. But her real triumphs come from the personal music she’s released. Having a single go platinum proves this. Her single “Escapism” was the best-selling single by a female British artist last year. RAYE’s SONA Warrior Award comes after her Ivo Novello Award for songwriting and composing. Just further demonstrating her power as a female songwriter in the industry.
Andrea Martin-SONA WARRIOR AWARD WINNER
The late but great songwriter Andrea Martin, although passed in 2021, has a legacy that continues. Her family accepted the award on her behalf. Martin wrote songs for female powerhouses like Toni Braxton and Monica, but the reason she did it so well was because she was a powerful force herself. In tribute to Martin’s memory, two-time GRAMMY winner Melanie Fiona, who collaborated with Martin, performed.
Thomas Scherer-SONA WARRIOR AWARD WINNER
Scherer has devoted decades to this industry as a songwriter, producer, music publisher, label owner, and executive. Presented by GRAMMY winner Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, Scherer accepted his award that honors his contributions for so many years. Scherer has backed the likings of many award-winning artists like Lewis Capaldi, Diane Warren, and Bebe Rexha as well as securing the rights to more than fifty song catalogs. Among these catalogs are those of Mötley Crüe, Paul Simon, and Gucci Mane. Scherer also serves as president of global recording catalogs.
Ross Golan-SONA WARRIOR AWARD WINNER
Multiplatinum songwriter, record producer, and playwright Ross Golan’s advocacy has earned him this prestigious award. 11-time GRAMMY-nominated record executive, songwriter, and producer Benny Blanco honored his peer. Golan’s role in passing the Music Modernization Act, adding songwriters to the GRAMMY’s Album of The Year category, and abolishing the 33% rule which stated that all artists, songwriters, producers, recording engineers, mixers, and mastering engineers were required to be credited with at least 33 percent or more of playing time. After the award, Golan performed Dangerous Woman, a song he wrote for Ariana Grande.
Willie “PROPHET” Stiggers-SONA WARRIOR AWARD WINNER
Simply known as just PROPHET most of the time, Stiggers was the last, but certainly not least honoree of the evening. Stiggers is the co-founder, CEO, and president of the Black Music Action Coalition or BMAC. Stiggers institution strongly advocates for racial equality and justice in the music industry for Black artists. It is because of the advocacy he has demonstrated through BMAC that made him a SONA Warrior Award Winner. Through BMAC Stigger shows the inclusivity in music SONA advocates for.
A closing performance of Micheal Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”, by the song’s co-writer Siedah Garrett was the perfect end to an influential evening. A song about how making a change in this world starts with yourself. It perfectly encapsulates a main characteristic of all this year’s Warrior Award winners. Each one’s humanity paired with a deep passion for music is foundational in SONA. As long as we have SONA, we will have diverse and exciting music to look forward to.