Saweetie: “Congress needs to invest in us”
Can’t Wait Live: A Concert for Jobs, Climate and Care was headlined by Saweetie, Ne-Yo, Wyclef Jean and Mavis Staples, and organized by the Working Families party, SEIU, MoveOn, National Domestic Workers Alliance and other major progressive groups. “I truly believe that Congress needs to invest in us,” said Saweetie. “The elderly need to be taken care of. We need affordable healthcare. We need universal childcare. The point of tonight is about making a difference, and I’m so happy I’m helping.”
Don McLean: American Star
“American Pie” writer-performer Don McLean received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Also present was McLean’s longtime friend “Weird Al” Yankovic, who is a fellow Walk of Fame recipient. Yankovic released a parody, “The Saga Begins,” set to the tune of “American Pie,” recounting the plot of Star Wars: Episode I–The Phantom Menace. Front: McLean is flanked by Mitch O'Farrell, L.A. City Councilman, Lupita Sanchez-Cornejo, Sr. Vice Chair, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Back (l-r): Tim Foust of Home Free; “Weird Al” Yankovic; Austin Brown, Rob Lundquist, Chris Rupp, and Adam Chance (Home Free).
Kurstin and Grohl at ASCAP Golden Note
Greg Kurstin is a superstar songwriter and producer who has won eight Grammy awards (including back-to-back Producer of the Year honors) and written many of the biggest pop and rock songs of the last two decades. Releases he has worked on have sold more than 85 million copies worldwide, with credits including: Adele’s “Hello,” Sia’s “Chandelier”; Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger”; P!nk’s “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” and Halsey’s “You Should Be Sad.” Other collaborators run the gamut from Paul McCartney and Tegan and Sara to Kendrick Lamar. In addition to his writing/producing credits, Kurstin is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who plays on many of the tracks he produces. Kurstin’s relationship with Dave Grohl was forged when tapped to produce Foo Fighters’ albums Concrete and Gold (2017) and Medicine at Midnight (2021).
Alanis Morissette is Moving the Needle
We Are Moving the Needle, a nonprofit organization that aims to close the gender gap in the recording industry, announced that seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette has joined its SoundBoard. Additionally, Morissette has invited We Are Moving the Needle to join her on her current tour with Garbage and Cat Power, celebrating 25 years of her 17x Platinum album, Jagged Little Pill. The nonprofit will be featured in a pre-show video and have representatives to provide information about how to get involved. SoundBoard members also include: Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Haim, Vanessa Carlton, Christina Perri, Imogen Heap, and Linda Perry.
Music Benefactors to Fund American Merit Album
Music Benefactors has announced their next partnership with the Texas rock band, American Merit. American Merit is a 4-piece band out of Palestine, TX managed by legendary artist manager Larry Mazer (Kiss, Cinderella, Cheap Trick, Pat Benatar, Peter Frampton, Breaking Benjamin, Lamb of God, Megadeth, Buckcherry) and Nathan Gillis (drummer of Blacktop Mojo). The goal of this offering is to fund recording, packaging, manufacturing and marketing. American Merit is giving investors first claim to royalties and will receive their principal investments paid back in full.
Awolnation Sail On
Awolnation joins an elite pantheon of artists with the news of their mega-hit single “Sail” earning a diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Celebrating the tenth anniversary since its release on Red Bull Records, “Sail” has officially moved over 10 million units in its decade-long run, becoming the 57th song in history to earn an RIAA diamond certification and the third independent release to ever receive the accolade.
Jack Harlow is Poppin’
SESAC celebrated songwriters and music publishers at its Pop Music Awards. Jack Harlow was this year’s top honoree—awarded with the title of Songwriter of the Year, as well as Song of the Year for “WHATS POPPIN’,” published by Sony Music Publishing and Harlow Happenings, and co-written and performed by Harlow. Universal Music Publishing Group was named Publisher of the Year for the second consecutive year.
