Broadcaster and presenter, Jonathan Ross OBE, five times Sony Radio Academy Award gold winner and holder of three BAFTAs, is to be honoured with the prestigious Music Industry Trusts’ Award. In recognition of services to music broadcasting, the Award will be presented to Jonathan Ross on the evening of 2 November at London’s Grosvenor House. Over 1000 guests will attend the annual charity dinner in aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT Trust.
Jonathan Ross has been a steadfast supporter of the UK music industry since his TV debut in 1987 with ‘The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross’. His BBC 1’s ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’, now in its 17th season and BBC Radio 2’s ‘Jonathan Ross Show’, now in its 10th year, have provided hugely influential exposure for new artists, as well as being a key target for established musicians from both the UK and abroad. He has become the UK’s most important broadcasting star-maker responsible for bringing many young musicians to a weekly TV audience that exceeds 5 million. Jonathan Ross’s enthusiasm for music is evident on his Saturday morning BBC Radio 2 show, where he gives air time to an extremely diverse range of music genres, with no show passing without air time given to Ross’s favourite, David Bowie. In 2008 Jonathan Ross won the Sony Gold Award for ‘Music Radio Personality of the Year.’
David Munns, Chairman of the Award committee said: “We are especially delighted for our two charities that Jonathan Ross is our 2009 MITS recipient as we know that this going to be a very popular and lively evening. For over two decades Jonathan Ross has been an important part of the UK music landscape and has provided valuable support in challenging times. His passion for music, enthusiasm for discovering and encouraging musicians and the importance of his two shows for artist development, makes Jonathan Ross a worthy recipient of the 2009 MITs Award.”
The Music Industry Trusts’ Award, now in its 18th year, has become one of the true benchmarks of achievement and generosity in the British music business, bestowing the respect of peers upon its recipients, while benefiting the charitable causes that have the industry’s loyalty.
Jonathan Ross joins a select group of Music Industry Trusts’ honourees: Sir George Martin, Harvey Goldsmith, Michael Parkinson, Lucian Grainge and the late Ahmet Ertegun, and such esteemed artists and musicians as Kylie Minogue, Peter Gabriel, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and John Barry. In 2005 Jonathan Ross was awarded the OBE for services to broadcasting.
Jonathan Ross commented:
“This is an incredible honour from an industry that I have always loved: music has always played a large part in my life and it’s been a privilege to not only present most of my musical heroes but to give a leg up to the next generation.”
The Music Industry Trusts’ Award has raised £ 3.5 million to date for its two charities, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT Trust (which includes the BRIT school for Performing Arts and Technology). The Award was established in 1991 with the twin aims of honouring an individual and raising money for the nominated charities. The Award is unique because – in addition to saluting artists – it recognises the contribution that an individual has made to the industry, from a range of activities: producer, film composer, broadcaster, record company executive, music retailer, concert impresario.
The charity event is renowned for producing an evening that is inspirational and often moving, with unique live performances and collaborations from previous artists such as Take That, Snow Patrol, Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue and Jamie Cullum, Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Youssou N’Dour.
For more information please contact –
LD Communications
Claire Singers/ Nadine Bibi
020 7439 7222
For information regarding tickets please contact -
Sarah Stuart
sarah.stuart@bpi.co.uk