Paul Williams and Pilar McCurry to Be Honored at 2023 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards

On March 5, The Guild of Music Supervisors is honoring Paul Williams and Pilar McCurry at their 13th annual awards ceremony. Paul will receive the Icon award, while Pilar will be posthumously recognized with a Legacy award.

The Icon Award is presented annually to an artist or music supervisor who has made outstanding contributions to the music and film industries. Past recipients have included Diane Warren, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach and Kenny Loggins.

Paul Williams

Paul Williams will be honored with the Icon Award at the 2023 Guild of Music Superv on Sunday March 5 at Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. Additionally, former Sony Pictures Entertainment senior VP and music supervisor Pilar McCurry will present Paul with a Legacy Award as part of a posthumous tribute.

Paul's work has earned him numerous honors and awards, including an Oscar for co-writing "Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)" with Barbra Streisand. Additionally, Paul is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has received several recognitions from ASCAP.

Williams' career spanning five decades encompasses an array of musical styles and genres. He has earned three Grammy Awards and been nominated for two Primetime Emmys.

His music is represented by ASCAP, which awarded him its highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award. He has collaborated with a range of artists such as Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross and James Brown.

Williams is a singer-songwriter as well as having an extensive music supervision career. He serves as president of the Guild of Music Supervisors and has managed various projects over the years.

He currently serves on the board of directors for the Los Angeles chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has a passion for encouraging music in local communities. Additionally, he sits on the advisory board for Mader Scholarship Fund.

Over the years, Los Angeles' chapter of the American Guild of Organists has hosted a variety of events. These have included Mader Fund's 50th Anniversary Composition Competition, Stephen Tharp and David Briggs' recital, Choral Evensong, and concert featuring St. James'-In-The-City Episcopal Church's organists.

His most noteworthy achievement was founding English Brass Academy, which he established in 2010. Additionally, he created an array of specialist chamber music courses for young musicians.

He is a highly-acclaimed performer of classical and modern trumpet repertoire, having performed at numerous major festivals and venues around the United States and Europe. His performances can be heard on over 175 recordings and 200 appearances with The Cleveland Orchestra. Furthermore, he serves as clinician for Conn-Selmer Company--makers of Bach trumpets--on numerous occasions.

Pilar McCurry

At their 2023 Guild of Music Superv event on March 5 at Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, The Guild of Music Supervisors will be honoring lyricist and composer Paul Williams as well as former Sony Pictures Entertainment senior VP Pilar McCurry.

Williams will receive the Icon Award, honoring an artist and music supervisor who have had a lasting impact on both music and film industries. He joins an esteemed list of previous recipients such as Diane Warren, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Kenny Loggins and Marc Shaiman in receiving this prestigious honor.

Formerly, Williams was the co-songwriter on Barbra Streisand's Oscar-winning song "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born"). Additionally, he composed "It's Hard To Say Goodbye" for Jennifer Hudson in "Pearl Harbor." His songs have been featured in various films, television shows and commercials.

Williams was an accomplished songwriter and music supervisor/director, having collaborated with numerous artists such as Will Smith, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Questlove, Aaliyah, Enrique Iglesias, Lauryn Hill and 2Pac.

He was one of the founding members of Rhythm Oil, which he operated until his untimely passing in 2018. During his time there, he also contributed to numerous independent projects such as Doctor Doolittle, Men in Black, Love Jones, Set It Off and Gridlock'd.

His musical aptitude and knack for storytelling combined with his creative talent made him a sought-after collaborator. Additionally, he had an impressive resume as both composer and music supervisor; working on projects such as Matangi/Maya/M.I.A, the Hunger Games franchise, and Daughters of the Sexual Revolution.

Before joining Rhythm Oil, Pilar was a music supervisor for Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment and oversaw music projects such as Wild Wild West and Love & Basketball.

She was the first music supervisor granted voting membership with The Recording Academy, leading to the formation of the Guild of Music Supervisors. An integral member of the music supervision community, her tireless work helped elevate standards and elevate the profession.

The Legacy Award

The Legacy Award is the highest recognition that The Guild of Music Supervisors can bestow upon a member. It recognizes those who have made outstanding achievements in film music supervision and can be bestowed in several categories to those who have shown extraordinary influence over others through their work.

Past recipients of this prestigious award include Paul Williams, Mitchell Leib, Maureen Crowe, Bob Hunka, Joel Sill, Gary Lemel and Chris Montan - plus Michael Jackson's longtime music supervisor Kenny Ortega!

Each of these individuals are considered living legends in film music supervision and have made an enormous impact on the industry. Furthermore, they have made valuable contributions to society at large by raising standards for musicians and music supervisors alike.

On March 5 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, the 2023 Guild of Music Supervised Awards will be presented. Paul Williams will receive the Icon Award and Pilar McCurry will be posthumously given the Legacy Award.

Paul Williams will be honored for his many remarkable films and impressive career as a music supervisor. Additionally, he has been an integral part of the Guild's ongoing initiatives to promote diversity within the industry and an instrumental force in recruiting new members.

Paul Williams has long been a champion of black musicians and his work has contributed to an unprecedented level of cultural awareness. He is also a founding member of the African American Film Critics Association as well as serving on several other film- and music-related committees and boards.

His work has been credited as setting the bar high in the genre and providing film music supervisors with an international platform. Furthermore, he earned himself the Society for Music Supervision's highest honor: the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Paul Williams made a lasting impact in the music industry as both a mentor and friend to several young composers and songwriters. A member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as well as serving on its board of trustees, his contributions will be remembered by generations to come.

The Icon Award

The Icon Award is an accolade given to an individual who has made a lasting impact in the music industry. It serves as a way of honoring those individuals who are making waves worldwide and inspiring lives, communities, businesses and the industry as a whole.

Paul Williams was an acclaimed lyricist and composer, having written songs for many of music's biggest names: Madonna, Will Smith, Beyonce, Questlove, Aaliyah Enrique Iglesias Lauryn Hill and 2Pac. A member of the Grammy Hall of Fame since 2005 and nominee for an Oscar, Zlotych Globow and Emmy award in 2016, Paul received multiple nominations throughout his career.

Pilar McCurry was a music supervisor for Sony Pictures Entertainment and oversaw more than 50 projects throughout her tenure. She played an influential role in developing artists like Beyonce, Chris Brown, Questlove, Aaliyah, Emmy nominees Enrique Iglesias and Lauryn Hill as well as En Vogue songwriters.

She played an influential role in the growth of music's digital presence. She held board positions with both AMPAS and SAG-AFTRA, as well as collaborations with numerous companies on music projects such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Twitter.

In 2023, The Guild of Music Superv will honor Paul Williams and Pilar McCurry with the Icon Award, honoring those music supervisors whose achievements have had a lasting impact on the industry. These leaders are recognized as visionaries who have contributed significantly towards progress within this space and given innovation its due recognition.

McCurry's 25-year career included music supervision for numerous films and TV shows, collaborations with artists such as Will Smith, Beyonce, Questlove, and Aaliyah, plus performances in several musicals.

Her impact on the music industry has been immense, driven by her enthusiasm for creativity. She's spearheaded new genres such as hip-hop and alternative rock with passion.

In addition to the Icon Award, the Guild of Music Supervisors will also present two Legacy Awards. These honorees have made a lasting impact on the industry and been mentors to others - past recipients include Mitchell Leib, Maureen Crowe, Bob Hunka, Joel Sill, Gary Lemel and Chris Montan.