RECAP: ASCAP Honors Adam Sandler With Founders Award; Hosts Full Day Of Panels, Keynotes, Performances and Community at ASCAP Experience 2026
2025 ASCAP Financial Results Revealed, Click HERE
See/download photos for publication HERE(Credit: Lester Cohen for ASCAP)
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ASCAP CEO Beth Matthews, Adam Sandler, ASCAP Chairman of the Board & President Paul Williams
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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12, 2026 - On Thursday, February 12, ASCAP, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, hosted the 2026 ASCAP Experience at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, convening songwriters, composers, producers and industry leaders for a full day of panels, workshops, performances and community-building moments.
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Adam Sandler accepts the ASCAP Founders Award
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The morning kicked off with the annual ASCAP Membership Meeting, where songwriter, comedy icon and actor Adam Sandler was presented the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award, recognizing his pioneering contributions to music and songwriting across comedy, film and popular culture. Sandler, an ASCAP member for 33 years with nearly 450 registered works, accepted the award and shared remarks reflecting on the role of music throughout his career. Previous recipients of the ASCAP Founders Award include Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Patti Smith, Dr. Dre,and Carly Simon.
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ASCAP President Paul Williams and ASCAP CEO Beth Matthews at the ASCAP Membership Meeting
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The Meeting also featured a special performance by R&B artist Cautious Clay. Before Sandler’s acceptance speech, ASCAP Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, and ASCAP Executive Vice President & Head of Creative Membership Nicole George-Middleton delivered remarks celebrating ASCAP’s creator-first mission, transparency, the organization’s achievements over the past year, and detailing its continued advocacy on behalf of songwriters and composers amid the current legal and technological landscapes. “At ASCAP, we think the world of songwriters. You guys have power — so thank you for everything that you do,” said Matthews. “ASCAP has thrived for 112 years because we have one bedrock principle — we put creators first … we will always stand with you,” added Williams. Check out ASCAP’s 2025 financial results HERE.
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Nova Wav’s Blu June, Mark Sonnenblick, Justin Tranter during Hitmakers
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Following the Membership Meeting, attendees participated in networking roundtables and educational sessions featuring some of today’s most influential songwriters and producers. “Hitmakers | We Create Music” featured Grammy-winning songwriter-producer duo Nova Wav (Beyoncé, Rihanna), acclaimed songwriter Mark Sonnenblick (KPop Demon Hunters), four-time Grammy-winning creator James Fauntleroy (Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars), and chart-topping writer and activist Justin Tranter (Chappell Roan, Justin Bieber), who discussed their creative journeys and navigating the ways TikTok and social media have changed the idea of a hit song. They also spoke about the importance of, and offered practical advice for, building creative trust with artists. “If you can have a real conversation with who you’re writing with, you’ll never have writer’s block,” said Tranter.
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Darrell Brown, Hasson, Neff-U during Get Heard: Live Song Feedback
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Later in the afternoon, the crowd-favorite “Get Heard: Live Song Feedback” session took the main stage. This interactive workshop session featured ASCAP members who pre-submitted their songs, receiving real-time feedback on their work from renowned writer-producers Darrell Brown (Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes) and Theron “Neff-U” Feemster (Justin Bieber, Sia). “Keep the faith, work hard, enjoy life, and write about it.” said Darrell Brown. “Each and every one of us is a creative being.” On his own songwriting process, Neff-U also added, “Don’t underestimate the power of simplicity.”
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Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis prepare to take the stage at ASCAP Experience
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Next, attendees were treated to a fireside chat with Grammy-winning songwriting legends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, moderated by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Adam Blackstone, who shared insights from their lasting creative partnership, reflections on how they created musical moments that stand the test of time, and advice for the next generation of music creators. On songwriting as a duo, Jimmy Jam noted, “Let that great song that you hear from your friend inspire you to write that next great song.” Lewis added, “We do what we love. All you can do is what you love, and hope that other people like it too.”
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Writers’ Jam songwriters Andreas Carlsson, Steph Jones, Annika Bennett and Camper
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Closing out the day, some of the top songwriters in the biz performed their biggest songs written for other artists and explained the stories behind them in a special “Writer’s Jam.” Andreas Carlsson (Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys) performed a song he hadn’t since he sang it for a 15-year-old Justin Timberlake, “Bye Bye Bye,” Steph Jones (Selena Gomez, Blackpink) performed “Espresso,” written with her old friend Sabrina Carpenter, Camper (Ne-Yo, Coco Jones, H.E.R.) played his new song with Victoria Monét, “Let Me,” and Annika Bennett (Chappell Roan) performed “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” (written for Role Model) live for the first time herself.
Additional sessions throughout the day explored sync placements, pitching music for film and television and navigating today’s evolving music landscape, as attendees met, mingled, and found their next creative partners.
ASCAP Experience 2026 featured exhibits by sponsors and partners including Hyph, Crowdsurf, MD Live and Ultimate Ears Pro.
Photos from the full day can be downloaded HERE (Credit: Lester Cohen for ASCAP Experience).
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About ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world’s most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected to its members as royalties and has the lowest overhead rate of any U.S. PRO. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees and identifies, matches, processes and pays royalties to its members for trillions of performances every year. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on X and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
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