The T.J. Martell Foundation raised more than $3.2 million for cancer research at its 51st Annual New York Honors Gala.
It was the most the event has raised in more than two decades, according to the Foundation.
The sold-out gala honored Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw with its Lifetime Music Industry Award.
The ceremony was held last Tuesday (September 15) at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
Capshaw was presented with the award by his longtime friend Dave Matthews, who performed a solo acoustic set in his honor.
Chris Stapleton and Trey Anastasio also performed solo acoustic sets during the evening.
The gala was hosted by Steve Gawley, the Foundation’s Chair of the Board of Trustees and Executive Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs at REPUBLIC Collective.
Live Nation joined as the inaugural sponsor of the gala’s red carpet reception.
“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.”
Steve Gawley
“Coran and his artists have an incredible spirit of philanthropy,” said Steve Gawley. “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.
“Tonight, this gala has raised more than $3.2 million for cancer research, making it the most successful New York Honors Gala in more than two decades. 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.”
Gawley worked in collaboration with the Foundation’s distinguished Executive Committee, which included Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Records), Tom Corson (Warner Music Group/Warner Records), John Esposito (HEY NOW Records and Foundation Executive Chairman), Daniel Glass (Glassnote Entertainment Group), Jeffrey Harleston (Universal Music Group and Foundation Executive Chairman), Michael Huppe (SoundExchange), Rich Isaacson (R I Entertainment), Michael Kushner (Sedlmayr & Associates), Dennis Lord (Gordon Law Group), Marc Reiter (Metallica), Darren Stupak, Julie Swidler (Launchpad Advisors), Andy Tavel (Raines Feldman Littrell), Ron Wilcox (MD Consulting, Treasurer) and Lynn-Anne Huck (The T.J. Martell Foundation, CEO).
Matthews presented the award to Capshaw, his longtime manager, and spoke about losing his own father to cancer at a young age.
He performed acoustic renditions of the Dave Matthews Band songs Save Me and Don’t Drink the Water, which he said were tracks he thought Capshaw liked.
Capshaw received a standing ovation and spoke about the reach of the Foundation‘s work.
“We all get hit by cancer – whether it’s an artist we work with, ourselves, friends and family,” said Coran Capshaw. “It makes me think of our friend Chip Hooper. It’s been over 10 years now.
“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.”
Coran Capshaw
“He left us early, and it’s a loss I feel to this minute. He was close to many of us in this room. It’s nice to see such a cross section of the industry here: promoters, agents, labels, publishers, attorneys, and artists we work with.
“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.
“As we’re hearing tonight, this is the 51st year of this event. Not quite the same ring as the 50th, 60th…25th…who wants to be 51st? And actually, we’re here together for the first year of the next 50 years of this organization. We hope some real breakthroughs will happen in this next chapter.”
Trey Anastasio described Capshaw as someone who “cares about three things: music, giving back and raising money for things he cares about.”
The Phish frontman said he opened a sober retreat in Vermont after a conversation with Capshaw, and spoke about losing his sister and his best friend to cancer.
Anastasio performed acoustic versions of Waste and More.
Closing the evening, Chris Stapleton performed Where Rainbows Never Die, a song he recorded with his former bluegrass band The SteelDrivers, and Tennessee Whiskey.
The T.J. Martell Foundation was founded in 1975 by music executive Tony Martell in memory of his son, T.J., and funds cancer research at hospitals across the US.
It has raised nearly $300 million for cancer research since then, having said earlier this year that it would honor Capshaw at the gala.
Capshaw founded Red Light Management in 1991 in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the company bills itself as the world’s largest independent artist management firm.
Firebird Music Holdings acquired a minority stake in the company in 2022, with Capshaw continuing to lead it.
Red Light‘s roster includes Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Chris Stapleton, and The Strokes, and the firm formed a strategic alliance with Warner Music in Japan in 2024.Music Business Worldwide
