Desmond Child News

Universal Music Publishing Group has announced that legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement through UMPG's Classics & Screen department.

Diane Warren will be honored with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award at the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York City on June 13, 2024. Other notable inductees include Hillary Lindsey, Timbaland, and R.E.M. The award reflects whose body of work upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer.

ASCAP celebrated its 2024 ASCAP Grammy Award nominees and top songwriter and composer members on Friday afternoon at the ASCAP Grammy Brunch held in the garden of the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Check out photos from the event here!

Celebrate Valentine's Day at 54 Below with Countess Luann, Alton Fitzgerald White, A Broadway Valentine's Day, and more! Learn how to purchase tickets!

 Hit songwriter Desmond Child and Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz hosted “An Intimate Evening of Music and Merriment” to raise funds for The ASCAP Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting music education programs for children, teens and emerging music creators. Check out photos from the event here!

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, is thrilled to welcome back our favorite Real Housewife Countess Luann de Lesseps for an unforgettable evening on February 1-3 at 7pm.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) announces the 2024 nominees for induction at its Induction & Awards Gala in New York City. Voting members have until December 27, 2023, to submit their ballots. Check out the complete list of nominees on songhall.org.

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews received the SONA Warrior Award in recognition of her contributions to the music industry.

Paul Williams and legendary songwriters and producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis lauded Matthews’s achievements and hit songwriter MoZella performed “Wrecking Ball” (all are ASCAP members). Video tributes to Matthews featured music industry giants Stephen Schwartz, NE-YO, Marcus Miller, Desmond Child, John Platt and Ashley Gorley among many others.

“The Boy I Never Loved” features performances by EmiSunsine (ukulele and vocals), Randall Hamilton (bass), Bobby Hill (percussion), Justin Moses (guitar, banjo, fiddle), Addie Levy (mandolin), and James Adkins (guitar). The song is the first single to be released from her forthcoming bluegrass album SIDESHOW.

Two new albums featuring Barbra Streisand will be released next month. EVERGREENS: Celebrating Six Decades on Columbia Records and YENTL: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will both be available on Friday, October 27. Learn more about both albums, and how to pre-order them now, here!

Cantus announces its 29th season of concerts in Minnesota and throughout the country, on tour.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) has unveiled its expanded traveling exhibit 'The Power of Song: A Songwriters Hall of Fame Exhibit,' which will be on display at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles now through September 4, 2023.

Desmond Child, Grammy winning and Emmy nominated songwriter / producer will release his first-ever memoir, 'LIVIN' ON A PRAYER: BIG SONGS BIG LIFE' on September 19, 2023.

Alongside versions of Fly To The Rainbow, In Trance, Virgin Killer and Humanity (Hour 1), remastered for the first time ever, are further handpicked treasures including Savage Amusement, World Wide Live, Love at First Sting, Blackout, Animal Magnetism, Lovedrive, Tokyo Tapes and Taken By Force.

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s 1985 Pulitzer Prize winning Sunday in the Park with George has just opened at the Pasadena Playhouse as part of their six-month celebration of everything Sondheim. Sarna Lapine (James’ niece) directs the cast of twenty-two, lead by Graham Phillips as George Seurat/George and Krystina Alabado as Dot/Marie. Andy Einhorn conducts a full orchestra of sixteen musicians. After a howling boot camp of rehearsals and a very successful opening night, Graham finally took a breather to answer a few of my queries.

Cooper Alan is coming to The District on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023.

The ACLU and the NYCLU hosted the 20th Annual Sing Out For Freedom benefit concert on Monday, October 24th. Performers and presenters included comedian Alex Edelman (Just For Us), 2022 Tony-Nominee Shoshana Bean, Tony-nominated actor Ato Blankson-Wood (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Slave Play) and more. See photos from the event here!

The ACLU and the NYCLU have announced the initial line up of performers and presenters of the 20th Annual Sing Out For Freedom benefit concert. The event will take place on Monday, October 24th at 7:30pm.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has launched a new traveling exhibit that celebrates the work and legacy of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as explores the mysteries behind the making of great music.