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Sting

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Sting, Imagine Dragons, Martin Bandier To Be Feted At 2019 BMI Pop Awards

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The performing rights organization reveals this year's group of special honorees for the upcoming ceremony in May to be held in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 4, 2019 - 4:08 pm

BMI have announced this year's honorees for their 67th annual Pop Awards: GRAMMY winning singer/songwriter Sting, GRAMMY-winning pop/rock outfit Imagine Dragons, and music publishing executive Martin Bandier.

Sting's stunning 17 GRAMMY wins and 45 nominations range from his first career GRAMMY for "Reggatta De Blanc" for Best Rock Instrumental Performance nearly 40 years ago to his recent win for 44/876 for Best Reggae Album earlier this year. His ubiquitous hit with the Police, “Every Breath You Take,” will be celebrated during the ceremony as BMI’s most performed song, ending the 22-year run at the top by “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling.”

“We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s ceremony, which honors the best of the best in pop music and celebrates songwriting at its finest,” said BMI president and CEO Mike O’Neill. “For the first time in 22 years, BMI has a new top song in our repertoire with Sting’s timeless hit ‘Every Breath You Take,’ a remarkable achievement that solidifies its place in songwriting history. It’s a milestone that demands a special tribute.”

“We are also thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking artistry and creative vision of Imagine Dragons," added O'Neill, "Who have become one of the most compelling rock bands of the last decade and a most deserving recipient of our President’s Award."

A notable champion for songwriters, Bandier will become the first-ever executive to recieve BMI's Icon Award. He currently serves as Chairman/CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing since 2007 following a lengthy and successful stint at EMI Music Publishing. Earlier this year, Bandier was honored by the Songwriter Hall Of Fame with the Visionary Leadership Award.

The 67th annual BMI Pop Awards will take place May 14 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Songwriters Hall Of Fame To Honor Martin Bandier

GRAMMYs

Armin Van Buuren

Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

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Armin Van Buuren Teams Up With World Wide Fund For Nature As Global Oceans Ambassador

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The legendary DJ will play an integral role in the organization's worldwide #BeatPlastic campaign
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Dec 16, 2019 - 1:20 pm

GRAMMY-nominated DJ Armin Van Buuren has joined forces with the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) as their new Global Oceans Ambassador. The international superstar will play an integral role in the WWF's new #BeatPlastic campaign and movement to stop plastic waste that is being dumped in the oceans around the world. 

In the video clip above, you can watch Van Buuren visit WWF projects on Bali to get a first-hand look at the damage. "There I could see with my own eyes how beautiful animals like turtles are affected by plastic pollution," he said of the experience. 

According to Digital Journal, eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans every year. Van Buuren hopes to inspire, inform and empower his millions of fans to join the #BeatPlastic movement.  

As a father, Van Buuren has an additional vested interest in the planet's condition, adding he wants his children to have, "A world that not only they can appreciate, but one that can be enjoyed by many generations to come."

For more information on Van Buuren and the #BeatPlastic campaign, visit his website.

Grammys Newsletter

Mac Miller Fund Donates $100k To Youth Music Program In His Hometown
 

GRAMMYs

Mac Miller

Photo: Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

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Mac Miller Fund Donates $100k To Youth Music Program In His Hometown

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The money will go toward a program to train Pittsburgh teens to become audio engineers
GRAMMYs
Dec 13, 2019 - 3:53 pm

Established following the tragic 2018 death of GRAMMY-nominated artist Mac Miller, The Mac Miller Fund is donating $100,000 to support a teen music program in late rapper's hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa. 

The donation will go to the Homewood-Brushton YMCA to help fund its partnership with the nonprofit Tuff Sound Apprenticeship Program, which offers training for young adults on becoming audio engineers. 

“He cared very much about working to make the world a kinder place and we will continue to do just that,” Miller's family members said in a statement.

Read More: Rayland Baxter Opens Up About Mac Miller's Impact On Him | Newport Folk 2019

Earlier this year, MusiCares received a grant of $50,000 from the Mac Miller Fund to establish the MusiCares Mac Miller Legacy Fund to help young adults dealing with substance abuse. 

Miller was born in Pittsburgh on Jan. 19, 1992. His first full-length studio album Blue Slide Park was released in 2011 and debuted at No. 1. His fifth and final studio album, Swimming, posthumously earned him his first GRAMMY nomination at the 61st GRAMMY Awards. Miller died on Sept. 7, 2018 at the age of 26.

Since it's creation, the Mac Miller Fund has raised nearly $1 million toward its mission to "[support] young musicians with resources to help realize their full potential through exploration, expression and community."

For more information on the Mac Miller Fund, or to make a donation, visit the organization's website.

Grammys Newsletter

ASCAP Launches Comprehensive Wellness Program: TuneUp

 

GRAMMYs

Earth, Wind & Fire

(L-R) Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and Philip Bailey
Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images

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Earth, Wind & Fire Become First African-American Group Inducted Into Kennedy Center Honors

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Other music inductees honored at the 42nd annual event include legendary singer Linda Ronstadt and celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Dec 9, 2019 - 4:27 pm

Last night in Washington, D.C., this year's class of inductees to Kennedy Center Honors were celebrated at Kennedy Center Hall of States. Leading the pack, Earth, Wind & Fire became the first African-American group to be inducted. 

Original Earth, Wind & Fire members Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and Philip Bailey were on hand to recieve the honor, and while founder Maurice White passed away in 2016, his presence was felt nonetheless. 

“You can’t play any Earth Wind & Fire songs without Maurice’s DNA being on it, so he’s always here and we’re always celebrating him and his vision,” Johnson said. “People are still coming together and having fun.”

An impressive lineup of artists took to the stage to honor the GRAMMY-winning band, who are approaching their 50th anniversary, including Cynthia Erivo, John Legend, the Jonas Brothers and Ne-Yo.

When asked about being the first African-American band to be inducted, Bailey said, “There are so many more African-American acts that are deserving and perhaps this can be the first of many more to come.”

This year's class also included legendary singer Linda Ronstadt, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, actress Sally Field, and Sesame Street, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Ronstadt, who is the subject of a moving new documentary, was honored buy some of her closest collaborators, Don Henley and Emmylou Harris, as well as actor Kevin Kline, who starred alongside Ronstadt in The Pirates Of Penzance. Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, Aaron Neville and Flor de Toloache paid musical tribute to Ronstadt, performing some of her most well-known songs.

“She’s a huge inspiration and influence to each of us as musicians and as women in a male-dominated industry in our genre,” Flor de Toloache's Shae Fiol said.of Ronstadt. “She went forth and did everything her heart desired, and she set the example for us to do the same. We’re happy to be representing her Mexican side.”

Tilson Thomas, an 11-time GRAMMY winner who is currently in his final season as director of the San Francisco Symphony, was honored by Metallica's Lars Ulrich. 

The 42nd Kennedy Center Honors will air on CBS on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 8pm.

Eagles & The Doobie Brothers Announce Cabo San Lucas Luxury Concert Experience

GRAMMYs

Kacey Musgraves

Photo: Erika Goldring/FilmMagic/Getty Images

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Lollapalooza Stockholm 2020 Lineup Announced: Kendrick Lamar, Kacey Musgraves, Pearl Jam & More

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The full lineup is here for the June 26-28 festival in Sweden - find out who will perform
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Dec 5, 2019 - 5:42 pm

Lollapalooza Stockholm 2020 has announced it's linuep, and it's stacked! Led by Kendrick Lamar, Kacey Musgraves, Camila Cabello, Pearl Jam, Elle Goulding, Post Malone, The Killers and more, the three day festival in Sweden will no doubt attract an international audience.

Set to take place June 26-28 in the scenic Gärdet Park in the heart of Stockholm, Sweden, this installment of Lolla will also feature performances by Zara Larsson, Galantis, Of Monsters and Men, Rex Orange County, Zhu, Jack Bugg, Anderson .Paak, Nina Kraviz, Mando Diao and many more.

For festivalgoers traveling to Stockholm, Lollapalooza has helpfully compiled some local experience tips. Tickets are on sale now via the festival's website.

Electric Forest 2020 Lineup: Major Lazer, Diplo, BASSNECTAR, Louis The Child & More