In Good Company: Pollstar Awards Set To Continue Tradition Of Honoring The Live Entertainment Industry

The 36th edition of the annual Pollstar Awards are set for April 16 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, and it promises to be a special one with not only the biggest names in live entertainment vying for the top honors but also a celebration of a new Hall of Fame class that includes iconic artist Stevie Nicks, acclaimed international promoter Barrie Marshall, legendary promoter Louis Messina, and historic Nashville venue Ryman Auditorium.

The show will be hosted by iHeartRadio personality Valentine, a veteran of the Los Angeles radio scene and host of 104.3 MYFM’s “Valentine in the Morning.” iHeartRadio is partnering with the Pollstar Awards for the first time, bringing its vast reach and deep connection to music fans to the prestigious event.

In addition to expanding the Pollstar Live! Hall of Fame, the ceremony will present LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer with The Visionary Award (see page 46), as well as posthumously honoring legendary artist manager Gary Kurfirst with the Lifetime Achievement Award (see page 56). The Pollstar Awards will also pay tribute to the late, great and widely beloved Maxie Solters, a Scoop Marketing publicist who passed away last August. In her honor, Pollstar has named the award for Touring Publicist of the Year after her.

The first group nominated for the Maxie Solters – Touring Publicist of the Year Award includes Falcon Publicity’s Alexandra Greenberg, Ryman Auditorium’s Alyson Stokes, Essential Broadcast Media’s Ebie McFarland, Full Coverage Communications’ Kristen Foster, Scoop Marketing’s Larry Solters and MSG Entertainment’s Mikyl Cordova.

The acts in the running for the Major Tour of the Year award include Pollstar cover artists Coldplay, Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen, as well as Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and Zach Bryan who are reaching new heights in their careers whille moving the business forward.

One never knows who will stop by to surprise the crowd and accept an award in person.

Metallica drummer, co-founder and unofficial spokesman Lars Ulrich attended last year’s Pollstar Awards to accept the Rock Tour honor, and comedian Dave Chappelle also stopped by to receive the Comedy Tour of the Year award. Other artists to take the stage at previous awards shows include Dave Grohl, Elton John and the late Prince.

The show not only celebrates artists from all genres (including rock, country, Latin and hip-hop) but the entire live industry, from agents to promoters to production to transportation crew. Venue and festival awards include Music Festival of The Year, International Music Festival of The Year, Nightclub of the Year, Theatre of the Year, Arena of the Year, Red Rocks Award for Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year, Stadium of the Year, and more. Nominations are determined by a committee made up of professionals from across the live entertainment business.

“As the gold standard of honors for achievement in the global live entertainment business, the Pollstar Awards remain the most relevant, coveted, and career-affirming recognition for artists, venues and executives who bring the magic to fans,” said Ray Waddell, Chief Content Director of OVG Media & Conferences, which produces Pollstar Live!, Production Live!, and the Pollstar Awards.

“Once again, this year’s nominees represent the best of the best, showcasing the incredible talent, innovation, and hard work that drives our industry,” Waddell added. “We’re honored to celebrate their success and look forward to another unforgettable awards ceremony in L.A.”

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