We’ve all heard the old adage: “It all begins with the song.” At SONA (Songwriters of North America), that isn’t just a saying; it’s a mission statement. The organization, now 10 years old, exists to protect and advance songwriters’ rights. At the fifth annual SONA Awards, presented on Sunday (Oct. 12) at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, organizers and award recipients named names, both of those who they believe are helping the cause — and hurting it.
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In his fiery acceptance speech, honoree Larry Mestel, Primary Wave founder/CEO, took Spotify to task. “There is no Spotify without songwriters. … Shame on Spotify for trying to screw songwriters; for paying them less than they’re worth.”
People and organizations who got positive shout-outs over the course of the evening included Chappell Roan (also an honoree), who used her Grammy best new artist acceptance speech in February to advocate for a living wage and health insurance for new artists; Amazon Music, which is providing free One Medical subscriptions and cash grants to cover medical costs for SONA members (“It’s not health insurance yet, but it’s a huge step forward” said Michelle Lewis, SONA & SONA Foundation CEO/founder); and Tyler Johnson and Kid Harpoon, who produced Miley Cyrus’ Grammy-winning, Billboard Hot 100-topping “Flowers” without insisting that they be added as songwriters.
Four sitting members of Congress helped present awards: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.)
The other honorees were Dina LaPolt, founder/CEO of Primary Wave Music; Girls Make Beats, which is seeking to empower the next generation of female music producers, DJs and audio engineers (the award was accepted by founder Tiffany Miranda on behalf of the team); and Grammy-winning producer/songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
In her opening remarks, SONA’s Lewis called this “the most songwriterly night of the year” — an apt description. The event hit all the right notes — fiery passion, witty remarks, strong performances — though it could have been tightened and better-paced. Desmond Child led a show-capping singalong of Bon Jovi’s classic “Livin’ on a Prayer” (which he co-wrote with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora) when just about everyone was set to leave after a long night. He deserved an audience that was fully attentive and appreciative.
Songwriters Bonnie McKee and Shane Stevens co-hosted the event and performed Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” Songwriter Brett James was also remembered one month after he died in a plane crash at age 57.
Here are the seven best moments from the fifth annual SONA Warrior Awards
Linda Perry Performs a Pop Classic
In tribute to honoree Dina LaPolt, Linda Perry performed 4 Non Blondes’ 1993 classic “What’s Up?”, which showed the staying power of a great song. Perry made clear that she wouldn’t do this for just anyone. “I would rather stay home with my dogs. Only for you would I do this,” she said to LaPolt.
Also to honor LaPolt, Morgan Wade performed her 2021 country hit “Wilder Days,” which she co-wrote with Sadler Vaden.
An Awards Mix-Up That Somehow Made Perfect Sense
When the awards were presented to Jam & Lewis, songwriting partners for 50 years, there was a slight mix-up. “Appropriately, I have Terry’s award and he has mine,” Jam said.
Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men sang several of the pair’s hits, including the Force MDs‘ “Tender Love,” New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain” and Boyz II Men’s own “On Bended Knee,” which Jam said was added to the group’s album II when Jam decided “you need a begging song.”
Jam also recalled the moment he first became intrigued by the idea of songwriting, in 1967, when Motown released The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland, an album of all-HDH songs, including “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone.” The album reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and turned a young boy into a future Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.
Paul Anka Sings a Classic and Gets Off a Zinger
In tribute to honoree Mestel, Paul Anka sang special lyrics to “My Way,” the French song for which he wrote English lyrics in 1968 and which became one of Frank Sinatra’s signature hits.
A fit and youthful-appearing Anka was brash and funny at the event. “You’re looking at a guy who’s 84, who has been around for six decades. I take care of myself, as you can see. I’ve been on Jenny Craig more than Mr. Craig.”
Justin Tranter Presents to Chappell Roan
Justin Tranter (a 2023 Warrior Award recipient) was characteristically funny in presenting to Chappell Roan: “I am honored to present my friend, co-writer and fellow homosexual with this award,” they said. Tranter co-wrote Roan’s 2024 smash “Good Luck, Babe!” with Roan and Dan Nigro.
Roan, accepting by video, said, “Songwriters are the backbone of the music world. Change comes from demanding it.”
Janelle Monáe Makes It Personal
In presenting to honoree Girls Make Beats, which helps girls and young women, especially from underrepresented communities, make music, Janelle Monáe told a story of a tearful student who felt she was being left behind — who was then assured by Girls Make Beats founder Tiffany Miranda that this was a safe space. “That student is me,” Monáe, now a 10-time Grammy nominee, said.
Don’t Give It Away
Ross Golan, a 2024 Warrior Award honoree and a SONA board member, told the assembled songwriters that they should be wary of song splits. He reminded them that only the composer and lyricist are songwriters. Producers or musicians on the session have no right to take a share of the publishing.
“We are our own worst enemies,” he said. “A copyright is for music and lyrics. If you didn’t write the song, you’re not a writer. Never agree to splits without talking to your co-writers. Protect your copyrights at all costs.”
47 Is the New 27
When she accepted her award, Dina LaPolt noted that she didn’t achieve real recognition until she was 47, when she made a power list for the first time. Later in the program, Toby Lightman was named the winner of the 2025 Emerging Songwriter award. She noted that she, too, is 47 and receiving her first award. (The other nominees for the emerging songwriter award were Ali Stone, Alna, bülow and Sophie Hintze.)
LaPolt, author of the 2025 book Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man’s World, noted that women are thriving at the bottom and middle levels of the music business, “but at the top, we’re almost entirely absent. This is not a diversity issue. It’s an equity issue,” she said.
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