The T.J. Martell Foundation will present Coran Capshaw, founder of Red Light Management, with its Lifetime Music Industry Award at the organization’s 51st annual New York Honors Gala.
The event will take place on Tuesday, September 15, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Capshaw has built Red Light into what the company says is the world’s largest independent artist management firm, with a roster that includes Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Chris Stapleton, and The Strokes.
The gala is the T.J. Martell Foundation‘s primary annual fundraiser, bringing together music industry figures and scientists in support of cancer research.
“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.”
Steve Gawley, T.J. Martell Foundation
Live Nation will sponsor the evening’s red carpet, with performances and celebrity presenters to be announced.
“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,” said Steve Gawley, Executive Vice President at Republic Co. and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the T.J. Martell Foundation.
“This event is a celebration of those in the music industry whose unwavering passion and generosity are vital to advancing our mission.
“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.”
Capshaw said: “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.”
Elliot Groffman, Partner at Carroll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Karalian, LLP, added: “I’m honored to support my longtime friend and colleague Coran Capshaw as he receives the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Lifetime Music Industry Award.
“In all the years I’ve known Coran and worked alongside Red Light and their artists, philanthropy has always been close to his heart – particularly causes like T.J. Martell, which hits close to home for so many of us who’ve lost friends and colleagues to cancer.”
“In all the years I’ve known Coran and worked alongside Red Light and their artists, philanthropy has always been close to his heart.”
Elliot Groffman, Carroll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Karalian, LLP
Beyond artist management, Capshaw has helped shape music festivals and venues across the United States.
Leadership of the 2026 gala is headed by Gawley, in collaboration with an executive committee that includes Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Records), Tom Corson (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), Darren Stupak, Julie Swidler (Sony Music Entertainment), Marc Reiter (Metallica), Andy Tavel (Raines Feldman Littrell), Ron Wilcox (MD Consulting, Treasurer) and Lynn-Anne Huck (The T.J. Martell Foundation, CEO).
“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.”
coran Capshaw, Red Light Management
Capshaw founded Red Light in 1991 in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he gave Dave Matthews Band their first regular gig at his venue, Trax.
In 2022, Firebird Music Holdings acquired a minority stake in Red Light, with Capshaw continuing to lead the company.
Red Light has continued to expand in recent years, forming a strategic alliance with Warner Music in Japan in 2024 and striking a partnership with Ledgin Management last year.
The T.J. Martell Foundation was founded in 1975 by music executive Tony Martell in memory of his son T.J., and says it has raised nearly $300 million to fund cancer research.
Previous galas have featured appearances from Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, and Morgan Wallen, among others.Music Business Worldwide
