Chappell Roan, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are slated to be honored at the Songwriters of North America’s upcoming Warrior Awards in October, SONA announced this week, alongside entertainment lawyer Dina LaPolt, Primary Wave CEO Larry Mestel and nonprofit organization Girls Make Beats.
Hit songwriters Bonnie McKee and Shane Stevens are co-hosting the awards, which will also feature performances from songwriting legend Desmond Child and Morgan Wade. The Warrior Awards will be held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on October 12, and pre-sale tickets for the event will go on sale for SONA members on August 8.
SONA established the Warrior Awards back in 2021 as a vehicle to recognize those in the industry who use their platforms to advocate for the songwriter and composer class. Previous recipients have included Justin Tranter, Allee Willis and Raye, among others. In Roan’s case, the pop star kickstarted a major conversation in the music business back in February after she used her best new artist acceptance speech at the Grammys to advocate for increased healthcare for artists from record labels.
This year’s Awards come as SONA celebrates 10 years since its founding back in 2015. The 2025 event will also launch SONA’s inaugural emerging songwriter warrior award, SONA said, with a recipient selected from five nominees. The emerging songwriter award is being presented by YouTube Songwriters. The Warrior Awards will conclude SONA’s Warrior Awards week, which will begin on October 4 and feature events “designed to foster community and celebrate songwriters” through October 11.