NYC: 2012 SESAC Pop Music Awards To Honor Grammy Winning Songwriter, Bryan-Michael Cox On May 10, 2012

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Workman Entertainment) SESAC, the nation's most progressive performing rights organization, will present Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer Bryan-Michael Cox with the prestigious "Inspiration Award" at the upcoming 2012 SESAC Pop Music Awards. Cox, a multi-faceted musical talent, will be honored for his significant artistic, philanthropic and entrepreneurial contributions at the annual awards gala, set to take place on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at New York City's elegant Skylight SoHo.

In a short amount of time, Cox has established himself as one of music's most gifted and prolific music-makers. Since hitting the music scene he has made a major impact with his songwriting and producing skills on such hits as Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget About Us", Usher's "Burn", "You Got It Bad" and "Confessions Pt. 2" and took home a Grammy Award for his work on Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You". Cox's song "Be Without You" was also named by Billboard Magazine as the #1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the decade in their "Decade In Music" issue. Cox also claimed the #12 and #19 spots in the special issue with his songs "Let's Get Married" as by Jagged Edge and "You Got It Bad" by Usher. Currently, Cox has projects in the works with such superstars as Mariah Carey, Brandy, Monica and Babyface. Cox is also working with songwriting/producing giant Rico Love on projects for Kelly Rowland, Tierra Mari and Trey Songz.

A noted humanitarian, Cox serves on the advisory board of 100 Urban Entrepreneurs, a non-profit organization that helps identify, finance and mentor entrepreneurs from economically disadvantaged communities - often through live business-pitch events in cities across the United States - in order to highlight the urban community's untapped business potential and demonstrate, to an additional 1 million-plus entrepreneurs, a proven path forward to business and financial success. Bryan tours the country serving as a judge at these live pitch events and ultimately acts as a mentor to the program's participants. In addition, Bryan works with The Travis Best Foundation, a non-profit founded by former NBA player Travis Best that helps underserved youth through arts and athletics. Each year, Bryan dedicates a weekend in Springfield Massachusetts during The Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend where he works hands on with youth that have an interest in songwriting and production. Bryan hosts workshops where he tutors kids ages 13 - 17 in music production, songwriting, music business and publishing.

The upcoming annual SESAC Pop Music Awards will also honor the most popular songs of 2011 with special awards presented for Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.

The invitation-only, red carpet gala event has established itself as one of the most popular music gatherings in the business. Each year the star studded evening features special performances from some of entertainment's top hit-makers with attendees including some of the biggest names in music. Previously, SESAC has presented awards to the likes of Bob Dylan, MGMT, Neil Diamond, Lady Antebellum, Alice In Chains, Mumford & Sons, Chrisette Michele, Bryan-Michael Cox, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, Nate "Danja" Hills among many others.

The 2012 SESAC Pop Music Awards promises more excitement with soon to be announced special artist performances and appearances.

ABOUT SESAC
Established in 1930, SESAC is a service organization created to serve both the creators of music and music users through responsive and innovative music licensing and timely, efficient royalty collection and distribution. The second oldest and fastest growing performing rights organization in the U.S., SESAC is known for its diversified repertory that includes genres including Jazz, Pop, Adult Contemporary, Urban, Rock, Americana, Contemporary Christian, Latin, Country, Gospel, Dance, Classical and New Age. SESAC is also rapidly becoming the contemporary rights organization of choice among many of Hollywood's most sought-after film and television composers. Headquartered in Nashville, the company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London. www.sesac.com.