Seth England Honored with Lifetime Music Industry Award at T.J. Martell Foundation Gala
The 49th Annual T.J. Martell Foundation New York Honors Gala was an unforgettable night for the music industry, especially for Big Loud Partner and CEO, Seth England. On September 17 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, England received the prestigious Lifetime Music Industry Award for his outstanding contributions to both the music world and cancer research. The event set a new milestone for the foundation, raising a record-breaking $2.6 million, making it the most successful gala in over two decades.
The night was hosted by Steve Gawley, the incoming chairman-elect of the T.J. Martell Foundation, along with a star-studded co-chair committee that included major industry names like Scott Borchetta, John Esposito, and Craig Wiseman. With a lineup like that, the evening was guaranteed to be something special.
A major highlight of the night came from Big Loud’s top artists—Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and ERNEST—who treated the audience to an exclusive writers’ round. HARDY kicked things off with his No. 1 hit “Truck Bed,” setting the tone for what was a night full of memorable performances. ERNEST joined Wallen for a heartfelt rendition of “Flower Shops,” while Wallen took the stage solo with his Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Last Night.” As a special treat, Wallen also debuted his unreleased track “Love Somebody,” marking the first time the song had ever been performed in the U.S.
Seth England’s involvement in the T.J. Martell Foundation’s mission went beyond just accepting an award. When asked to be this year’s honoree, England jumped in without hesitation, eager to make a difference. As Gawley noted in his speech, England immediately committed to the cause, personally donating $250,000 to kick off the fundraising efforts. With the help of the Big Loud team and the Martell Foundation, a kickoff breakfast at Nissan Stadium in Nashville earlier this year raised an additional $1.1 million, showcasing the generosity and community spirit of Nashville’s music scene. England’s partner, Craig Wiseman, also contributed $300,000, helping to push the fundraising total to a record level.
During his acceptance speech, England expressed his gratitude for the recognition and reflected on the importance of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s work, which has touched countless lives through its innovative cancer research efforts. “Being a part of that legacy is beyond humbling,” he said. He also took a moment to praise Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and ERNEST for showing up in a big way, both as performers and as people, to support the cause.
The evening also included a lively fundraising auction, along with a special announcement from Archie Davis, Def Jam’s Chief Creative Officer, about a new initiative to promote early screening and testing for cancer, a crucial step in saving lives.
It was a night where the music industry came together to celebrate, give back, and make a real difference. And for Seth England, it was a well-deserved honor for a career that continues to make waves—not just in the music business, but in the fight against cancer as well.