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"This is the first award I've ever won in the U.S."
—-Emeli Sande on NARM honors

PUT NARM 2013 IN THE BOOKS

Another Convention Comes to a Close with a Gala, Star-Studded Awards Night Dinner
Well, another NARM, er, Music Biz 2013 is in the books. The final night Awards dinner kicked off again this year with a red carpet event that attracted a host of luminaries, including Trevor Jackson (Atlantic), Karmin (Epic), Sick Puppies (Virgin), Jessica Sanchez (19/Interscope), Glee’s Alex Newell (Columbia), Dan the Automator (Traffic), the Goo Goo DollsJohn Rzeznik (Warner Bros.), Emeli Sande (Capitol), Booker T (Concord), Buddy Guy (RCA), Natalie Cole (Verve), Tom Jones (Rounder/Concord), Cher Lloyd (Epic), Jason Derulo (Warner Bros.), Jordin Sparks (RCA) and Iggy Azalea (Mercury/IDJ). During cocktails and dinner, the celebrities were all on hand for meet and greets (Tom Jones, in particular, was mobbed) and then it was time for the awards.

NARM Prexy Jim Donio presented the Breakthrough Artist of the Year to international phenomenon Emeli Sande, who gave a very gracious speech, noting, “This is the first award I’ve ever won in the U.S.” But it wasn’t going to be her only award of the night. Donio held her on stage for a moment and introduced RIAA chief Cary Sherman, who earlier in the day had announced that streaming would now be used in digital sales and a change in the certification rules for gold and platinum tracks. He explained the new ruling and thanked NARM and digitalmusic.org for their help in the process. He then presented Sande with a gold plaque representing sales of 500k downloads for her hit single, “Next to Me.”

But he wasn’t done. He then brought out Cher Lloyd and gave her a gold plaque of her own. Sherman then brought out Jason Derulo to bestow him with newly minted multi-platinum status.

NARM Chairman (and founder of J&R) Rachelle Friedman came on to present Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy with the Chairman’s Award that has in the past been given to giants like Lionel Richie, Brian Wilson and Billy Joel, among others. Guy could not have been more touched. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” he said. “You don’t hear much blues on the radio, but if you come and see me, that’s all you’re gonna get.” He was about to leave the stage when Donio stopped him and said that he had a surprise. Quinn Sullivan, a 12-year-old blues guitar prodigy and protégé of Guy, had been secretly flown out to the event and played a song that he’d written specifically for his mentor. It was a sweet moment.

Then the Penthouse suites opened for business (highlighted by iconic DJ Dan the Automator spinning in the Caroline suite late into the night) and that, as they say, was that. No word as to the location of next year’s convention, but we’ll see you all there.

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