2010 NARM Outstanding Achievement Award
For Musical Collaboration Recipient
Awards Finale Party, Mon., May 17, 6:30 PM

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Bio
Spanning six decades, the duo’s songs hit the charts in the US or the UK 76 times for artists such as Elvis Presley, Big Mama Thornton, The Robins, The Coasters, The Drifters, Ben E King, Dion and Peggy Lee, among others.

Their songs were covered by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Donald Fagen, B.B. King, James Brown, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Tom Jones, Count Basie, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Mathis, Luther Vandross, Neil Diamond, Liza Minnelli, John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, and others.

Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock” are among their iconic achievements, but music lovers will also recognize “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” “Kansas City,” “Stand By Me,” “Love Potion #9,” “On Broadway,” “Is That All There Is?” as just a few of Leiber and Stoller’s many hits.

Leiber and Stoller’s music has also been a smashing success on Broadway. In 1995, “Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller” opened and was later nominated for seven Tony Awards. Featuring 40 songs by the duo, “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” became the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history.

Their critically acclaimed book, “Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography,” co-written with David Ritz, will be available in paperback June 1.

2010 Independent Spirit Award Recipient
Awards Finale Party, Mon., May 17, 6:30 PM

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Bio
Tom Silverman is the founder of Tommy Boy and has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1981.  He has over 28 years experience in the Hip-Hop, Urban, Alternative, Dance, Rock and Gospel music markets.  He founded Dance Music Report in 1978, the preeminent newsletter for DJs for over 15 years. He was a founder and partner in the legendary New Music Seminar, the world’s seminal music industry convention through the 80s. Silverman serves on the board of RIAA, Sound Exchange, American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) and Merlin. He also has served for many years on NAIRD/AFIM board, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Dance Music Hall of Fame, as well as the NARM Manufacturer’s Advisory Board. He was the recipient of the NARAS Heroes Award in 2000. He has a degree in environmental science from Colby College and attended Graduate School at Western Michigan University in Environmental Geology.

2010 Presidential Award Recipient
Awards Finale Party, Mon., May 17, 6:30 PM

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Bio
Jim Urie oversees the activities and business strategies of Universal Music Group Distribution, the sales, marketing, and distribution arm of the Universal Music Group.

Universal Music Group Distribution has been the industry market share leader for the past twelve years and consists of four major divisions: Universal Music Distribution (UMD), Fontana, Vivendi Entertainment (VE), and UMGD Digital. UMD handles the distribution and sales for such labels as Universal Motown Republic Group, Island Def Jam Music Group, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, A&M/Octone Records, MCA Nashville, Universal Records South, Lost Highway, Mercury Nashville, Verve Music Group, Decca Label Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Music Enterprises, Hip–O, Disa, Machete Music, ABKCO, Concord Music Group, Hollywood, Emusica, Lyric Street, RMM, Thump, Rounder, Fonovisa, Varese Sarabande, Walt Disney, Big Machine, Show Dog Records, VI Music, Sybersound, Hidden Beach, Palm Pictures, and Universal Music Christian Group, among many others. Fontana is the company’s independent sales, marketing and distribution arm, VE is its theatrical and home entertainment division, and UMGD Digital manages and distributes all of Universal Music Group’s digital assets, including mobile.

Mr. Urie assumed the role of President in August 1999 and has played a pivotal role in strategically breaking new ground in the areas of marketing and artist development. He first joined the company in August 1996 as Executive Vice President and General Manager and has since led UMGD to record breaking success. The company became the first in the music industry to achieve the No. 1 position in the top five market share categories in 1999 and remained No. 1 in year end market share for the next nine consecutive years. His efforts have resulted in fueling new market growth for Universal, while further enhancing and broadening its reach with such best-selling and developing artists as U2, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, 50 Cent, Sting, Jay-Z, Andrea Bocelli, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, George Strait, Mary J. Blige, Sugarland, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Fergie, Akon, Pussycat Dolls, Fall Out Boy, Nelly Furtado, Reba McEntire and Timbaland, among many others.

Under Mr. Urie’s auspices, UMGD has garnered many awards, including being named the National Association of Recording Merchandisers’ (NARM) Distributor of the Year for 2000, 2001, and 2002, and has achieved finalist status for every subsequent year. The company has received numerous retailer awards from major companies such as Best Buy, Target, Borders and Circuit City. UMGD was also the first music company named as one of six national finalists in the Best Sales Organization category by the American Business Awards.

Mr. Urie began his career in 1972 as a college rep for CBS Records in Washington, D.C. and soon moved up through the company’s ranks with brief stints in promotion and sales. In 1978, he was appointed Miami Branch Manager where, in 1979, the division finished number one in sales out of 21 branches. In 1980, Mr. Urie became New York City Branch Manager for CBS. Later, in 1987, his artist-driven approach to sales caught the attention of PolyGram executive Dick Asher. Soon after, Mr. Asher recruited him to the post of Senior Vice President, Sales and Distribution, for the newly reorganized PolyGram Records. With his dedication to artist development and keen understanding of the creative process, Mr. Urie took on broader responsibilities in 1989 when he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Marketing. In this role, Mr. Urie oversaw artist development, creative services, publicity, video product and product management for the Mercury, Polydor, and London labels. This move made him one of the few executives in the music industry to have held senior positions in both the creative and sales side of the business. In 1993, Mr. Urie joined Arista Records as Senior Vice President of Sales. While at the label, he worked alongside Arista President Clive Davis in building the highly-acclaimed careers of such superstars as Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Sarah McLachlan, TLC, and The Notorious B.I.G.

In 1993, Mr. Urie joined Arista Records as Senior Vice President of Sales. While at the label, he worked alongside Arista President Clive Davis in building the highly-acclaimed careers of such superstars as Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Sarah McLachlan, TLC, and The Notorious B.I.G.

Most recently, Universal Music Group expanded Mr. Urie’s role by naming him Chief Executive Officer of UMGD, in addition to his title as President.

At the time, Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, remarked that “since joining us, Jim has done a tremendous job in building UMGD into the world’s premier entertainment distribution company. As he continues to expand and diversify UMGD, we look forward to Jim taking the company to even greater heights.”

And Zach Horowitz, President & COO of Universal Music Group, added that “Jim’s track record of success speaks for itself. The creativity, focus and vision that he brings to UMGD on a daily basis is invaluable. The entire Universal Music family joins me in congratulating him on this milestone achievement.”