The Hollywood Music in Media Awards presented acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren with the award organization’s prestigious Outstanding Career Achievement honor on Thursday, November 16th at Avalon – Hollywood, 1717 Vine St. Presenting the honor was Randy Jackson, acclaimed bassist, singer, record producer, entrepreneur and stalwart judge of America’s Got Talent. Following a standing ovation by a packed house of fellow songwriters, industry luminaries and celebrities, Ms. Warren also won the category of Best Original Song – Feature Film for “Stand Up for Something” from the film Marshall. The emotionally triumphant song is performed by Andra Day and Common.
“Diane Warren is one of the greatest and most prolific songwriters of all time and we are thrilled to honor her,” explained HMMA Executive Producer Brent Harvey. “Her music has captured the hearts of several generations and continues to do so.”
Diane Warren has written for iconic artists including Aerosmith, Adele, Beyoncé, Cher, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Hudson, *NSYNC, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, and Mariah Carey. Her collaborations continue with many of today’s top artists, including Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo and Demi Lovato.
She broke onto the scene with 1983’s “Solitaire” and has been unstoppable ever since. Warren’s timeless ballads such as “Unbreak My Heart” (Toni Braxton), “Because You Loved Me” (Celine Dion), “How Do I Live” (Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes), and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (Aerosmith) have earned her Grammy, Golden Globe awards and countless other award nominations. Her work has been featured in more than a hundred motion pictures resulting in eight Academy Award nominations. Warren has six ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Awards, three consecutive Billboard Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and she was inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.
Warren’s haunting and evocative “Til It Happens To You” (performed by Lady Gaga) is the first song in history to be nominated for an Academy Award, Grammy and Emmy, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. It was also nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Song and won the 2015 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Song – Documentary. Most recently, she Cher performed Warren’s “Prayers for this World” for the documentary, Cries From Syria. She also co-wrote with Common the song, “Stand Up for Something” performed by Andra Day for the film Marshall.
Warren has written inspiring anthems whose sales benefit charities that support young women’s education globally, including former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let Girls Learn” initiative. Michelle Obama and Missy Elliott performed Warren’s “This Is For My Girls” on the popular “Carpool Karaoke” segment on The Late Late Show with James Corden, which garnered over 52 million views.
The Hollywood Music in Media Awards’ Outstanding Career Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact in music or the music community. Past honorees include Smokey Robinson, Glen Campbell, Dave Mason, Christopher Young and John Debney. Past HMMA performances have included Birdman composer Antonio Sanchez, and The New Radicals founding members Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisboise performing on stage for the first time in 15 years; they performed their song “Lost Stars” from the film Begin Again. Special guests and presenters have included Verdine White (Earth, Wind and Fire), Gilby Clarke (Guns n’ Roses), award-winning songwriters Stephen Bishop, Diane Warren, Melissa Manchester, Melanie, actor Eric Roberts, Natasha Henstridge, Adam Gaynor (Matchbox 20), Jane Fonda, writer Beau Willimon and director Andy Fickman.
The HMMA is the only award that specifically recognizes music in all visual media. The HMMA nominations are selected by an advisory board and selection committee which includes journalists, music executives, music-media industry professionals comprised of select members of the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), The Television Academy, the AMPAS Music Branch, NARAS and performing rights organizations This year, HMMA has added the category, “Best Music Documentary.” The new award recognizes a documentary about music that educates, exemplifies the process, and/or displays the impact of music. The 2017 HMMA event will be held at The Avalon Hollywood 1735 Vine Street on Thursday, November 16, 2017. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Education Through Music – Los Angeles (ETMLA). For tickets and additional information and a complete list of nominees, visit https://www.hmmawards.com
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