Mom + Pop Music Founder Michael Goldstone to Receive 2025 Seymour Stein Global A&R Award

Michael Goldstone, founder and co-owner of Mom + Pop Music, will receive the second annual Seymour Stein Global A&R Award from MUSEXPO and A&R Worldwide. The award will be presented during the International Music Industry Awards gala on March 19, 2025, at the conclusion of the 25th global edition of MUSEXPO, which is set to take place in Burbank, Calif.

This award holds special significance for Goldstone, who moved to Stein’s Sire Records in 2003. While at Sire, Goldstone’s signings included Regina Spektor, Tegan and Sara and The Veronicas.

Prior to Sire, Goldstone worked in various capacities (PR, marketing, artist development and ultimately A&R) at Chrysalis, MCA, PolyGram, Epic and DreamWorks.

In May 2008, Goldstone left Sire to launch the indie label Mom + Pop Music Company together with Peter Mensch and Cliff Burnstein of Q Prime management. Goldstone and Mom + Pop Music co-owner Thaddeus Rudd were named to Billboard’s 2024 Indie Power Players list, where Goldstone said being indie means “Staying true to artistic integrity and collaboration. We deeply value the relationships that we’ve built with our artists and take pride in empowering creative freedom.”

The Seymour Stein Global A&R Award celebrates excellence in A&R worldwide, and the spirit of discovery in music. The award was created by Sat Bisla, president & founder, A&R Worldwide/MUSEXPO; Sire co-founder Richard Gottehrer; and Mandy Stein, Seymour’s daughter.

The inaugural recipient was Wendy Goldstein, president/chief creative officer of Republic Records. She received the honor on March 20, 2024, during a gala dinner on the final night of the four-day MUSEXPO conference.

Seymour Stein died in April 2023 at age 80. His signings — including Madonna, Talking Heads, The Ramones, The Pretenders, Depeche Mode and The Cure — left an indelible mark on the music landscape. His dedication to the art of A&R made him a legendary figure in the music industry. This award seeks to celebrate and perpetuate his legacy.

Stein received the Ahmet Ertegun Award at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2012, he received Billboard’s Icon Award at MIDEM. In 2018, he received a trustees award from the Recording Academy (alongside composer John Williams and the late concert promoter Bill Graham).