Photo Credit: Skirball Cultural Center by Hughwa / CC by 3.0
Songwriters of North America announces the 2026 SONA Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on October 29.
Advocacy organization Songwriters of North America (SONA) has announced this year’s series of events designed to foster community and celebrate songwriters and composers, culminating with the awards benefit gala at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on October 29. Bonnie McKee and Shane Stevens will again serve as hosts, and the night will include the TikTok-presented Black Carpent event, as well as special performances yet to be announced.
This year, the annual awards benefit gala will honor Annie Lennox with the Artist Songwriter Award, Tom Morello with the Freedom of Expression Warrior Award, Desmond Child with the Songwriter Warrior Award, and Laurent Hubert as Executive of the Year. The writers behind the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack will also be honored with the Global Impact Award, and the evening will include the live announcement of the 2026 Emerging Songwriter Award presented by YouTube Songwriters.
Originally known as the SONA Warrior Awards, the SONA Awards were established to honor composers, artists, and professional allies who champion songwriters and their contributions to the music industry.
In addition to the benefit gala, SONA Awards Week will include the SONA Songwriters Summit, featuring an all-day series of panels, at Village Studios on October 28. This will also include a keynote conversation with Kobalt CEO Laurent Hubert. More events will be revealed
Founded by and for professional songwriters in 2015, SONA was created to advocate for the interests of North American songwriters before the courts, legislators, and administrative agencies. SONA is an open and diverse community that unites professional music creators and business leaders to create a unified voice to protect artistic expression, compensation, and the rights of songwriters across North America.
SONA was founded by Adam Dorn, Adam Gorgoni, Brendan Okrent, Dina LaPolt, Jack Kugell, Kay Hanley, Michelle Featherstone, Michelle Lewis, Pamela Sheyne, and Shelly Peiken. Its Board of Directors includes Andrae Alexander, Angie Pagano, Autumn Rowe, Camus Celli, Courtney Harrell, Dina LaPolt (2025 Honoree), Erin McAnally (SONA Executive Director and Vice-Chair), Jack Kugell, Jared Brenner (Board Secretary), Lauren Christy, Linda Bloss-Baum (Government Affairs Lead), Mark Pariser (Board Treasurer), Michelle Lewis (CEO and Chair), Roahn Hylton, Ross Golan (2024 Warrior Award Honoree), Samantha Bullock, and Shane Stevens.
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