Ron Perry, the Chairman and CEO of Sony Music-owned Columbia Records, is set to be named UJA-Federation of New York’s 2024 Music Visionary of the Year.
The award will place Perry alongside such previous honorees as Sony Music Group CEO Rob Stringer, Amazon Music VP Steve Boom, SiriusXM President and Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein (in 2022), Universal Music Group EVP Michele Anthony (in 2017) and Daniel Ek and Troy Carter (in 2018).
Perry is being recognized “for his exceptional professional accomplishments and commitment to philanthropy,” UJA-Federation of New York said in a statement released on Wednesday (February 14).
As Chairman and CEO of Columbia Records since 2018, Perry oversees a roster of artists that includes AC/DC, Adele, Beyoncé, Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel, Blink-182, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Central Cee, Depeche Mode, Halsey, Harry Styles, The Kid LAROI, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Rosalía, Tyler the Creator and others.
Columbia artists have clocked more than 100 weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since 2019. Variety named it “Label of the Year” in 2021. “That the company has been able to break multiple new artists is a testament to the leadership of its chief executive,” the publication said.
When Perry was appointed head of Columbia Records in 2018, Sony Music’s Stringer lauded him as “an immensely dynamic and forward-thinking executive who excels at bringing the best out of artistic vision.”
“Throughout his career, Ron stays close to songwriters and artists. He has proven himself to be a true trailblazer and ‘song person’ – the greatest compliment a music executive can get.”
Perry had previously been President and Partner at SONGS Music Publishing, which was sold to Kobalt Capital in December 2017. At SONGS, Perry signed The Weeknd, XXXtentacion, Lorde, Diplo and others.
“We are thrilled to honor Ron as our 2024 UJA Music Visionary of the Year,” Daniel Glass, founder and CEO of Glassnote Records, chair of UJA’s Music Division and co-chair of UJA’s Entertainment division, said in a statement.
“Ron is one of the new leaders of our industry. Throughout his career, Ron stays close to songwriters and artists. He has proven himself to be a true trailblazer and ‘song person’ – the greatest compliment a music executive can get.”
UJA’s Music Visionary of the Year Award Celebration, an annual luncheon, has been a high-profile event for more than two decades, attracting performers, emcees and award presenters such as Haim, John Mayer, Janelle Monáe, Jon Batiste, Måneskin, Lizzo, Eddie Vedder, Leon Bridges, Alessia Cara, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Wyclef Jean, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, and others.
Funds raised at the luncheon will go toward UJA’s Music for Youth program, which helps thousands of young people connect to music programs in schools and elsewhere. The luncheon also supports UJA’s efforts to fight antisemitism and promote inclusion.
UJA-Federation of New York describes its mission as “Caring for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, responding to crises close to home and far away, and shaping our Jewish future.”
The community group says it works with hundreds of nonprofits “from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 4.5 million people annually.” It provides some $180 million in grants annually.Music Business Worldwide
