Michael Goldstonefounder and co-owner of Mom + Pop Music, will receive the second annual Seymour Stein World A&R Award from MUSEXPO and A&R Worldwide. The award will be presented during the International Music Industry Awards gala on March 19, 2025, at the end of the 25th global edition of MUSEXPO, to be held in Burbank, California.
This award holds special meaning for Goldstone, who moved to Stein's Sire Records in 2003. While at Sire, Goldstone's signings included Regina Spektor, Tegan and Sara and The Veronicas.
Prior to Sire, Goldstone worked in various capacities (PR, marketing, artist development and eventually A&R) at Chrysalis, MCA, PolyGram, Epic and DreamWorks.
In May 2008, Goldstone left Sire to start the indie label Mom + Pop Music Company with Peter Mensch and Cliff Bernstein of Q Prime management. Goldstone and Mom + Pop Music co-owner Thaddeus Rudd were named in Bulletin board2024 Indie Power Players list, where Goldstone said being indie means “Staying true to artistic integrity and collaboration. We deeply value the relationships we've built with our artists and pride ourselves on empowering creative freedom.”
The Seymour Stein Global A&R Award celebrates excellence in A&R worldwide and the spirit of discovery in music. The award was created by Sat Bislapresident and founder, A&R Worldwide/MUSEXPO; Principal co-founder Richard Gotterer; and Mandy Steindaughter of Seymour.
The inaugural recipient was Wendy Goldsteinpresident/chief creative officer of Republic Records. He received the honor on March 20, 2024, during a gala dinner on the last night of the four-day MUSEXPO conference.
Seymour Stein died in April 2023 at the age of 80. His signings – including Madonna, Talking Heads, The Ramones, The Pretenders, Depeche Mode and The Cure – left an indelible mark on the musical landscape. His dedication to the art of A&R has made him a legendary figure in the music industry. This award seeks to celebrate and perpetuate his legacy.
Stein received it Ahmet Ertegun Awarded to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2012, he received Billboard's Icon Award at MIDEM. In 2018, he received the Administrators Award from the Recording Academy (along with composer John Williams and the late concert promoter Bill Graham).
