T.J. Martell Foundation to Honor Red Light Management Founder Coran Capshaw

Red Light Management founder Coran Capshaw, who has long been known in the industry for his leadership as the manager of some of the biggest rock bands in the world, as well as his commitment to philanthropy, is being honored by the T.J. Martell Foundation with the Lifetime Music Industry Award.

The T.J. Martell Foundation, which raises funds for innovative cancer research, will celebrate Capshaw during its 51st annual New York Honors Gala on Sept. 15, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. The evening promises to “bring together music industry legends, philanthropic leaders, and pioneering scientists for a night of tribute, inspiration, and purpose, all in support of groundbreaking, high-impact cancer research.”

Capshaw personally manages Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Chris Stapleton and The Strokes among others. In April he was once again recognized with the Pollstar Award for Personal Manager of the Year.

Last year Capshaw was named to Pollstar’s Impact 50 list, which recognizes the most impactful executives in the live music industry, and he spoke to Pollstar about his focus on the philanthropy front.

“We are consistent in a blend of housing and environmental causes, and we continually encourage our artists in doing benefit shows when it aligns with causes they support,” Capshaw said. “I’m just hopeful that as a business we can continue as managers to help the good works that so many of our artists do. Outside of the business we get to do every day, that’s what I’m most passionate about. The music business is the go-to around raising awareness and funds for causes, and it’s an area I’m so proud of as an industry. Our artists have platforms to work with for a blend of raising money and awareness, it’s exciting. Trey [Anastasio’s] recovery center [Divided Sky] is serving people every day up in Vermont, and in my hometown [Charlottesville], we’re continuing to build housing, that’s an area I could talk about all day long. You don’t have the space in this article to channel my enthusiasm for philanthropy.”

As an announcement from the T.J. Martell Foundation points out, “beyond management, he has helped shape acclaimed music festivals and venues across the country.”

Special performances and celebrity presenters for the annual New York Honors Gala, which features a red carpet sponsored by Live Nation, will be announced in the weeks ahead.

“We are deeply honored to recognize our esteemed music industry colleague Coran Capshaw with this year’s Lifetime Music Industry Award, a tribute to decades of remarkable dedication and philanthropic leadership,” said Steve Gawley, Executive Vice President, Republic Co., Head of Business & Legal Affairs, Republic Collective and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, T.J. Martell Foundation. “This event is a celebration of those in the music industry whose unwavering passion and generosity are vital to advancing our mission. Coran’s enduring commitment to philanthropy, as well as his ability to rally artists in support of meaningful causes, has made a profound impact on our community. We are proud to shine a spotlight on Coran’s exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to the causes that matter most.”

Elliot Groffman, Partner at Carroll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Karalian, LLP, added: “I’m honored to support my longtime friend and colleague Coran Capshaw as he receives the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Lifetime Music Industry Award. In all the years I’ve known Coran and worked alongside Red Light and their artists, philanthropy has always been close to his heart – particularly causes like T.J. Martell, which hits close to home for so many of us who’ve lost friends and colleagues to cancer.”

Since the T.J. Martell Foundation was founded in 1975 by music executive Tony Martell in memory of his son T.J., the foundation has raised nearly $300 million to fund cutting-edge cancer research at the nation’s top hospitals, helping accelerate advancements in early detection, treatment, and care.

“I am incredibly honored to support this life-saving work,” Capshaw said. “Giving back has always been important to me, and being able to engage our generous music community to support vitally important organizations such as the T.J. Martell Foundation is something I’m proud of and will keep doing my part however I can.”

READ MORE: Q’s With 2025 Impact 50 Honoree Coran Capshaw

_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/05/22/t-j-martell-foundation-honoring-red-light-managements-coran-capshaw-with-lifetime-music-industry-award/)._