UJA-Federation Honors Bainwol, Sherman
July 15, 2008
By Chris M. Walsh, N.Y.
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) chairman/CEO Mitch Bainwol and RIAA president Cary Sherman were awarded today (July 15) with Music Visionary of the Year honors at an industry luncheon attended by more than 300 people at the Pierre Hotel in New York.
The event was organized by the UJA-Federation of New York and raised more than $600,000, according to the group.
Speakers included Universal Music Group's president/CEO Zach Horowitz, National Music Publishers' Association president/CEO David Israelite and former chairman of the RIAA Jay Berman, who gave heartfelt speeches praising the duo for their leadership. Singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat performed two songs with a three-member backing band before Recording Academy president/CEO Neil Portnow presented the award to Bainwol and Sherman.
The event wrapped with a jam session from the luncheon's honorees. Bainwol and Sherman took the stage and performed their own version of "There is Nothing Like a Dame" from the musical "South Pacific." The song, which was augmented with lyrics tailored for the industry crowd, garnered many laughs and a standing ovation.
Previous UJA-Federation Music Visionary of the Year honorees include Clive Davis, Charles Goldstuck, Russell Simmons, Edgar Bronfman Jr., and Antonio “L.A." Reid.
Funds raised by the UJA-Federation sustain activities of more than 100 health, human-service, educational, and community agencies.
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