On January 25th, the She Rocks Awards took place during The NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center. This annual event draws music icons, artists, industry professionals, fans, and media together for a unique celebration that highlights women who excel in the industry. The event was co-hosted by Susanna Hoffs, vocalist of The Bangles, and Aijia, singer and songwriter. The evening featured high-energy performances, networking opportunities, giveaways, a silent auction, and more. This marks my fourth year covering the event, and it’s always a joyous and memorable occasion witnessing women supporting each other in the music industry.
I had the opportunity to chat with Laura Whitmore, Founder of the She Rocks Awards, as well as some of the honorees on the red carpet, including Lindsey Stirling, Britt Lightning, and Debbie Gibson. I asked them, “How does it feel to be here and to be honored at She Rocks, especially at such a perfect event like NAMM?” Let’s hear what they had to say.
Jaime Deering, Excellence Award
Jaime Deering recipient of the Excellence Award, serves as the CEO of Deering Banjo Company, a family-run American company that has been crafting banjos for over 48 years, with all instruments bearing the Deering name.
Ruchel: How does it feel to be honored at She Rocks 2024?
Jaime: It’s an honor and to know all the women that came before me to make it possible. This industry was also built by women.
Ruchel: Who would you like to meet here at She Rocks?
Jaime: I would like to meet Debbie Gibson. I grew up listening to her (chuckles)
Ruchel: What’s your advice to young people?
Jaime: Keep going. Don’t let anybody stop you.
Laura Whitmore, the Founder of She Rocks Awards
Whitmore also serves as the Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, an innovative and forward-thinking company in the music industry, specializing in hardware and software solutions.
Ruchel: She Rocks just celebrated a decade and now it’s the 12th year? How do you feel about that?
Laura: It almost feels a little crazy, 12 Years! Where did the time go?
Ruchel: What are your goals for the coming year?
Laura: There are so many things to still do. We sit there and look at our progress in equity, which is actually taking a little bit of a back slide lately. So you know, we gotta keep pushing. We have a lot of programming going on this year and obviously we’ll be planning for 2025.
Lindsay Love-Bivens (The Vision Award)
Lindsay Love-Bivens holds the role of Artist and Community Relations Manager on the Taylor Guitars Artist Relations team. In this role, she is dedicated to fostering, broadening, and strengthening Taylor’s relationships with artists from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community.
Ruchel: How does it feel to be in NAMM and getting recognized for your contribution in the music industry?
Lindsay: I’m proud. I’m honored. I’m blown away that they’ve seen what I’ve accomplished at Taylor. And fit to come and honor us and honor me and it’s special.
Lindsey Stirling (Inspire Award)
Lindsey Stirling is a versatile artist known for her prowess as an electronic violinist, dancer, and creative visionary. Her innovative approach has earned her a devoted global following, along with four Billboard chart-topping albums and two prestigious Billboard Music Awards. Notably, her third studio release, “Brave Enough,” clinched the Top Dance/Electronic Album accolade.
Ruchel: How does it feel to be here at NAMM and to receive the Inspire award?
Lindsey: It’s an honor to be part of She Rocks. I love that it’s women celebrating other women. So many empowering and inspiring women. I’m excited to be here and being part of NAMM and you know Yamaha has been my supporter and sponsor for years. To be here with them, I’m excited.
Melinda Newman (Achiever Award)
Melinda Newman serves as Billboard’s Executive Editor for the West Coast and Nashville regions. In 2020, she was honored with the CMA Media Achievement Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to media coverage within the country music industry. With over 25 years of experience, Melinda launched her professional career in Nashville and has since provided insightful coverage of culture and entertainment.
Ruchel: How does it feel to be one of the honorees at the She Rocks Awards?
Melinda: I feel incredibly humbled. I don’t really understand how I ended up being an honoree especially in this really esteemed group of women. I mean Debbie Gibson, c’mon and Laura Karpman who just got an Oscar nomination and Sylvia Massy produces platinum and gold artists so I’m incredibly humbled and a little confused (chuckles).
Ruchel: What words of advice can you give to youngsters who would like to embark on a career in entertainment journalism?
Melinda: I would say it’s a tough time right now but just find a way to express your voice whether it’s your own blog, or writing for a community paper just find some way to get your voice out. And if it’s really what you wanna do, don’t give up.
Britt Lightning (Powerhouse Award)
Britt Lightning is the lead guitarist for the all-female Platinum selling 80’s rock band Vixen. She is also the Musical Director at Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, which helps change lives through music and allows people to live their Rockstar fantasies and jam with their musical heroes.
Ruchel: How do you feel about being honored tonight at She Rocks at the perfect venue, NAMM, at the Anaheim Convention Center?
Britt: It’s just a huge honor to be amongst all these incredible people and to help change lives through music that’s why we’re here for.
Ruchel: What word of advice can you give to young women who’d like to embark a career in the music industry?
Britt: In this day and age there’s a lot of social media and there’s a lot of like comparing yourself to others. Don’t do that, just be yourself. Don’t worry about what anybody else is doing, focus on being you because there’s nobody else that’s like you. As long as you follow your heart, you’re on the right path.
Debbie Gibson (Trailblazer Award)
Debbie Gibson made history at the age of 16 with her Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Foolish Beat,” achieving the remarkable feat of being the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a number-one hit. Remarkably, she still holds this record as the youngest female artist for over 30 years. This year marks the 35th anniversary of her iconic #1 album, “Electric Youth.”
Ruchel: What are your thoughts on being recognized as the recipient of the She Rocks Trailblazer Award?
Debbie: I’m so honored and excited to be amongst these amazing women in music because being young and female in the music industry, I had a lot of odd stacked against me. On my 37th year in my career and celebrating the new music, the old music, it’s incredible.
For the complete list of the 2024 honorees, click here.
Did I mention, I also had tons of fun at She Rocks Awards 2024.
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