The T.J. Martell Foundation has announced that it will present its prestigious Lifetime Music Industry Award to Coran Capshaw, the founder of Red Light Management, at its 51st annual New York Honors Gala. The event is scheduled to return to New York’s Cipriani 42nd Street on Sept. 15, serving as the centerpiece for the music industry’s leading charitable organization dedicated to funding cancer research.
Capshaw, a titan in the music business, is being recognized for both his professional achievements and his extensive philanthropic commitments. Reflecting on the honor, Capshaw stated, “I am incredibly honored to support this life-saving work. Giving back has always been important to me, and being able to engage our generous music community to support vitally important organizations such as the T.J. Martell Foundation is something I’m proud of and will keep doing my part however I can.”
Under Capshaw’s leadership, Red Light Management has ascended to become the world’s largest independent artist management company. According to Pollstar, the firm’s roster generates an impressive $500 million in ticket sales annually. Capshaw’s personal management portfolio includes legendary acts such as Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Chris Stapleton, and The Strokes. His influence further extends through his work with Starr Hill Presents and strategic partnerships with major venues, including the Brooklyn Bowls and the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront.
His career, spanning over three and a half decades, has been marked by numerous accolades, including seven Pollstar Manager of the Year awards and the distinction of being the first manager to receive Billboard’s Humanitarian Award in 2011. Beyond the stage, his philanthropic impact is tangible; since 2018, he has contributed more than $25 million toward the renovation and expansion of public housing in Charlottesville in partnership with the local housing authority and the Dave Matthews Band.
Steve Gawley, Executive Vice President of Republic Co. and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the T.J. Martell Foundation, praised the selection, noting, “We are deeply honored to recognize our esteemed music industry colleague Coran Capshaw with this year’s Lifetime Music Industry Award, a tribute to decades of remarkable dedication and philanthropic leadership. Coran’s enduring commitment to philanthropy, as well as his ability to rally artists in support of meaningful causes, has made a profound impact on our community.”
The foundation plans to announce the celebrity presenters and musical performers for the 51st annual New York Honors Gala in the coming weeks. For more information regarding the foundation’s mission and the upcoming event, visit tjmartell.org.