Music Industry Moves: T.J. Martell Gala Honoring Red Light Founder Coran Capshaw Raises Over $3.2 Million for Cancer Research; Freddy Wexler Launches Label

The T.J. Martell Foundation raised more than $3.2 million for cancer research at its annual New York Honors Gala on Sept. 15 — the most the event has raised in more than two decades. Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw was presented with the Lifetime Music Industry Award by his longtime friend Dave Matthews, and the evening also featured captivating solo acoustic performances by Matthews, Trey Anastasio and Chris Stapleton in Capshaw’s honor.

“Coran and his artists have an incredible spirit of philanthropy,” said Steve Gawley, Chair of the Board of Trustees and EVP/ Head of Business & Legal Affairs for Republic Collective. “When we first asked Coran to help us, he didn’t simply agree to be honored. He brought his team, his artists, his relationships and his whole heart – and look what happened. But tonight isn’t just about the total. It’s about what the money allows us to do: it lets brilliant scientists take risks, moves promising ideas forward, and gives people facing cancer what matters most – better treatments, more cures and more time with the people they love.”

In accepting the honor from Matthews, Capshaw said, “I think what really unites this room, both the musicians and the business side alike, is our industry’s inclination to do good and to give back. Without fail, we really are the go-to industry for fundraising and responding in times of need-whether it be a flood, a hurricane, fire relief, or helping our communities – musicians and the teams behind them, really step up.”

The three musical performances all paid homage to Capshaw, with each artist sharing memories as well as personal experiences with the illness that inspired their support for the foundation. Matthews performed acoustic renditions of two DMB classics he said he thought were Capshaw favorites, “Save Me” and “Don’t Drink the Water.” Anastasio described Capshaw as someone who “cares about three things: music, giving back and raising money for things he cares about” and detailed his ability to motivate — he opened a sober retreat in Vermont after a conversation with him — and also his own experiences with cancer, having lost his sister and best friend to the illnes. He then performed acoustic versions of “Waste,” a song he collaborated on with Matthews, and “More.” Closing the evening was Stapleton with “Where Rainbows Never Die,” a track he recorded with his former bluegrass band the SteelDrivers, and the classic “Tennessee Whiskey.”

+ Billy Joel collaborator Freddy Wexler has launched a new independent label, Wexler Records, with an inaugural roster composed entirely of artists under 20. The roster includes pop group JYT, country artist Madden Metcalf, and Kauani and Carter Barnes, from Disney’s new Mickey Mouse Club.

Wexler made headlines in 2024 by collaborating with Joel on his first new song in decades.

A statement about the label’s ethos reads: “The great record labels were defined by artist development: seeing extraordinary potential before the world did, nurturing it and then launching it with purpose. Wexler Records is built to bring that discipline back. We believe in data, but data tells you what has happened; it can’t always recognize what should happen next. We don’t simply chase stats—we develop artists who will create them. When an artist makes the hairs on our arms stand up, we will take the risk. And because our broader company already operates across music, film, television, animation, storytelling and brand partnerships, we are uniquely positioned to build an entire flywheel around them — one that extends far beyond the traditional record-label model.”

+ Warner Chappell Music Nashville has announced the renewal of a global publishing agreement with Grammy-nominated country trio Midland. The group first made a splash with the 2017 smash hit “Drinkin’ Problem” and has released a series of hit albums and singles, most recently their latest album, “Stages,” which helped bring a CMA nomination for Vocal Group of the Year.

Midland said: “Warner Chappell has been part of the Midland story for a long time, and we’re really proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. They’ve always understood how important the songs are to us and have given us the support and freedom to keep making music that feels true to who we are. We’re excited to keep building on what we’ve started with a team that really believes in this band and where we’re going.”

+ Veteran publicist Jessica Nall has joined Full Coverage Communications, the company announced this week. She most recently was with Jonesworks, where she worked across campaigns for Zac Brown Band, Ciara, J Balvin, Brent Faiyaz, among others. Prior to Jonesworks, Nall spent nearly a decade at Atlantic Records, where she worked closely with Oliver Tree, Janelle Monáe, Lizzo, Arden Jones, and more.

+ Mom+Pop Music has named Daria Stachera as Vice President of Digital Marketing. In her new role, Stachera will build and lead a new digital team, shape social strategy and audience engagement, and execute digital marketing initiatives across the label. She will be based in the company’s New York office and report directly to Mom+Pop Founder Michael Goldstone.

Stachera comes to Mom+Pop Music from Republic Records, where she worked in digital marketing overseeing campaigns for Five Seconds of Summer, Nick Jonas, and Haiden Henderson, among others. Before Republic, Stachera spent three years at RCA working with a myriad of artists including Tate McRae and Rex Orange County.

+ Electric Feel Entertainment has signed 22-year-old R&B artist Jay Starr to its label and publishing roster. Starr said, “Partnering with Electric Feel felt right from the start. The energy, chemistry and support from the team have been real, and I’m grateful to build with people who understand the vision. This next chapter is about elevation, growth and creating something genuine as an artist.”

+ SoundExchange, the largest neighboring rights organization in the world, and United Arab Emirates-based Music Nation Copyrights Management have signed a reciprocal agreement to strengthen cross-border neighboring rights administration and create new revenue streams for rights holders in the United States and the UAE. MusicNation was established as a collective management organization to ensure that local and international performing artists, record labels, songwriters, publishers, and other rights holders are compensated for the use of their works in the UAE and, through reciprocal arrangements, in other markets where their works are used commercially.

Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, said, “This ground-breaking reciprocal agreement with Music Nation will open a new revenue stream for SoundExchange artists and rights owners whose music is played in the UAE while ensuring Emirati creators are compensated when their music is played in the United States. It also enables SoundExchange to seamlessly provide these services for some of its partner CMOs around the world, who have the option of collecting UAE royalties through their existing agreements with SoundExchange.”

Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of MusicNation, said, “Music is one of the most powerful expressions of identity, culture, and human artistry. As the UAE continues to develop and attract foreign investment into its creative economy, we have a responsibility to build the systems that ensure artists and rights holders are respected, and that musical IP is protected and fairly compensated to global standards. This agreement with SoundExchange represents a national and industry milestone, advancing MusicNation’s mission to create a transparent, globally connected music rights ecosystem in the UAE and strengthens the foundation for a more sustainable creative future for our region.”