The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present its prestigious Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award to award-winning choreographer and performer, Multiplatinum recording artist and television personality Paula Abdul. She will accept the Award from Sandy Chapin, Harry’s widow, on May 18 at 12:30 p.m. CT during the Music Biz 2017 convention’s Awards Luncheon at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville.
“Paula’s efforts on behalf of youth empowerment, women’s health issues and arts education are a prime example of what artists can do to give back to their community and the world,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “She has truly embraced the public platform that her massive success has provided to improve the lives of those around her. We are so pleased to recognize her with this Award and hope her example--as well as the continuing legacy of Harry Chapin--will remind everyone how important it is to donate time, energy, and influence to charitable causes.”
“I’ve been blessed to be able to do what I love for a living, but it’s helping others that really brings me the most joy,” said Abdul. “The work itself is the true reward, but I hope this recognition will bring further awareness to the causes I fight for and inspire others to do the same. My thanks to the Music Business Association. What an honor!”
Abdul joins a list of previous Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award winners that includes artists and organizations such as the T.J. Martell Foundation, Martina McBride, Dee Snider, Annie Lennox, Melissa Etheridge, Norman Lear, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Jackson, Rock the Vote, Hands Across America, Live Aid, and Harry Chapin himself.
Music Biz 2017, which will return to Nashville from May 15 - 18, is a premier music industry event, giving the commerce and content sectors a place to meet with trading partners, network with new companies, and learn about new trends and products impacting the music business. This year’s event will feature keynotes from Atlantic Records Group Chairman and COO Julie Greenwald, Spotify’s Global Head of Creator Services Troy Carter, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Music Agents Jeff Krones and Hunter Williams and more to be announced. The program will cover topics including Touring, Live Streaming, Vinyl, Messaging, International, D2F, Crowdfunding, Tweens & Tech, e-Commerce, Playlisting, A&R, Social Media, Licensing, Publishing, Hi-Res, VR, Management and Professional Development. Returning favorite sessions will include the Metadata Summit, Brand & Strategic Partnership Summit and Entertainment & Technology Law Conference, as well as an encore for Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out and various special interest programs and breakout sessions.
In addition, the convention will include a variety of Live Music Showcases, including the second annual Industry Jam, in which music business execs join big-name musicians onstage for an evening of live music. Music Biz will also present Breakthrough Artist Awards to Maren Morris and Lukas Graham; the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement to Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, and the Independent Spirit Award to Terry Currier, Owner of the iconic Portland, OR-based record store Music Millennium. Additional award recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information and discounted early bird registration, visit musicbiz2017.com.
