Cheap Trick To Receive Chairman’s Award at Music Biz 2016 Convention in Nashville

February 18, 2016 – The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present its prestigious Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement to pioneering powerpop band and 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick. The ceremony will be held at the Music Biz 2016 Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 18, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and will also feature the presentation of the Artist of the Year Award to chart-topping Country singing group Little Big Town and Breakthrough Artist Awards to rising Country star Sam Hunt and up-and-coming Alternative singer/songwriter Halsey, as well as the soon-to-be-announced Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award. 

“The Chairman’s Award honors artists who have consistently remained creative long into their careers, and Cheap Trick is a shining example of that,” said YouTube’s Fred Beteille, Chairman of the Music Biz Board. “With more than 40 years in the business, more than 20 million albums sold, and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band easily could have called it a career. Instead, they recorded the new album Bang Zoom Crazy… Hello and are set to release it this April via Big Machine Records. From timeless anthems like ‘Surrender’ and ‘I Want You to Want Me’ to the new single ‘No Direction Home,’ the band’s loud and energetic yet easily accessible music is still winning over fans both young and old. I am thrilled to be celebrating them with this year’s Award.”

“What a year! First the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and now this,” said band member Rick Nielsen. “It’s great to be recognized for our history, but it’s an honor to be celebrated for what we’re doing now.  We’re looking forward to the release of Bang Zoom Crazy… Hello and we can’t wait to share with our fans and the World. So get ready, because we’re coming to your town!”

Formed in 1974, Cheap Trick released their debut full-length album, Cheap Trick, in 1977. Before long, their music exploded around the world, leading to more than 40 international Gold and Platinum certifications, including the 3x Multi-Platinum live record Cheap Trick at Budokan and the Platinum albums In Color, Heaven Tonight, Dream Police, Lap of Luxury, and The Greatest Hits. They have played more than 5,000 live shows over the course of their career; scored eight Top 40 singles in the U.S., including the #1 Billboard 200 hit “The Flame”; and have had their music featured on more than 20 major film soundtracks, including Top Gun, Say Anything, Heavy Metal, Roadie, and more.

In December 2015, the band was announced as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016, where they will join Chicago, Deep Purple, N.W.A., and Steve Miller as this year’s inductees. In addition to releasing their new album, Bang Zoom Crazy… Hello, they kick off the 30-date “Rock Hall Three for All” tour with fellow Hall of Famers Heart and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts on July 14.

Music Biz 2016, which will return to Nashville from May 16-18, is the music industry’s premier event, giving the commerce and content sectors a place to meet with trading partners, network with new companies, and learn about new trends and products impacting the music business. Registration is open now, with early bird discounts available until March 11, 2016. For more information or to sign up for the conference, visit www.musicbiz2016.com.