Songwriters of North America (SONA) have firmed up the final lineup for its fifth annual Warrior Awards and second annual SONA Warrior Awards Week, taking place Oct. 7-12 in Los Angeles.
“Warrior Awards Week is a powerful moment to bring together every corner of the music industry to celebrate songwriters, honor their impact, and ensure their work is valued and protected,” SONA executive director Erin McAnally tells Billboard. “These events put the spotlight on songwriters who are often behind the curtain and recognize the essential role they play in creating the music that inspires and unites the world.”
The week starts Oct. 7 with a private house concert featuring Sarah McLachlan and Katie Gavin. The invite-only event will raise money for the SONA Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 that provides songwriters and composers with support through mental health, financial wellness and career development support as well as emergency funding.
On Oct. 10, the SONA Foundation continues its Music & Money Financial Wellness series with “From Songwriter to C-Suite,” an educational seminar at BMI’s Beverly Hills headquarters featuring SONA co-founder/Emmy and Peabody Award-winning songwriter Kay Hanley moderating a panel featuring Academy Award-nominated producer and Primary Wave founder/CEO Larry Mestel, Grammy-nominated songwriter/Pulse Music Group co-founder Anne Preven, Grammy-nominated songwriter and IWP CEO Bruce Waynne [CQ] and SONA Foundation co-founder John Bitrick. Tickets to the seminar, which includes lunch, are $10 for SONA members and $25 for non-members.
SONA will host two events on Oct. 11 starting with a Songwriter Summit at noon at The Village Studios. The day, in addition to panels with songwriters including Autumn Rowe, KOLE, Emily Warren, METTE and J. Hart, as well as industry leaders, will include a keynote with U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost (D-Orlando) moderated by Billboard senior writer Kristin Robinson. SONA members attend free, while tickets are $25 for non-members.
“Congressman Frost has quickly proven himself a true champion for creators,” says McAnally. “His passion for music and deep understanding of the industry make him a powerful ally for songwriters. We’re thrilled to highlight his work and discuss why it’s so important for songwriters to advocate for themselves.”
Later that evening, a night celebrating Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Desmond Child will take place at the Hotel Café. Hosted by musician Curtis Peoples, the night, which is a fundraiser for the SONA Foundation, will feature Child, as well as a number of artists performing a number of his biggest hits, which include “Bad Medicine,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “Love Will Remember.” Tickets are $40 with VIP at $200 for reserved seating and a signed copy of Child’s autobiography.
The week culminates in the Oct. 12 Warrior Awards, honoring Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Chappell Roan, Dina LaPolt, Larry Mestel and Girls Make Beats. Following a live-streamed black carpet presented by TikTok and hosted by content creator Daniel Wall, songwriters Bonnie McKee and Shane Stevens will host the awards show and perform, with Morgan Wade and Child also performing. The awards will also include the inaugural Emerging Songwriter Warrior Awards presented by YouTube Songwriters; voting is open through Oct. 10.
SONA, which advocates for songwriters’ and composers’ rights, as well as provides education and opportunities for its roughly 1,000 paid members, was founded 10 years ago. It represents songwriters’ interests before legislative bodies, administrative agencies and courts and provides a unified voice to protect songwriters’ rights and compensation. The organization is based in Los Angeles but expanded to add a New York chapter last year.