Billboard Magazine
Marc Shaiman to Receive Career Achievement Award at 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards
By Paul Grein
10/11/2023
Mister D: So excited for Marc and his success. So talented, funny, and always has a smile on his face. I met him several times. I got invited by Bruce Vilanch to the opening of Hairspray in Chicago where the cast, along with Marc and Scott Wittman, performed for a benefit at a bar. I was invited to the rehearsal and got plopped down right in front of Marc where I could watch him even tinkle the keys of the piano. That’s also where I met Charlo. Out of all the people I’ve met associated with Bette, and even Bette herself, the one person I was shy with was Charlo, I think I even stuttered and she was as nice as could be, I never sat around and analyzed it, but now I’m curious. I love you Charlo and you know it. Back to Marc, anytime I needed help with some lyrics he, Bette, or whoever wrote special songs, he was always quick to help me. And he answered fast. I don’t know if I ever wrote about that 3 day Chicago experience. I’ll have to check. Anyway, congrats Marc. You will reach that EGOT, no doubt.
Composer and songwriter Marc Shaiman will receive the Outstanding Career Achievement Award at the 14th annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards. The ceremony is set for Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 8:00 p.m. at The Avalon in Hollywood.
Past recipients of that career honor include Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Diane Warren, Earth Wind & Fire, Glen Campbell, Dave Mason, John Debney, and Christopher Young.
Shaiman, 63, has won a Tony and a Grammy (both for Hairspray and the ensuing original cast album) and a Primetime Emmy (for writing in a variety or music program for his contributions to the 1992 Oscar telecast).
Shaiman only needs an Oscar to become an EGOT. He has been nominated seven times, for songs from Sleepless in Seattle, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, and Mary Poppins Returns and scores for The American President, The First Wives Club, Patch Adams, and Mary Poppins Returns.
Shaiman has had long and fruitful relationships with Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, and Harry Connick Jr., among others. He played a key role in getting Midler to record “Wind Beneath My Wings” for the soundtrack of the 1988 film Beaches. The ballad topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989 and went on to win a Grammy for record of the year.
Shaiman most recently composed the score and co-wrote the songs for the 13-time Tony-nominated musical, Some Like It Hot.
The Hollywood Music in Media Awards honors composers, songwriters, and music supervisors for their contributions to music for film, television, and video games.
Submissions for all categories are open until Oct. 15.
Tickets to attend the ceremony will be available Oct. 16.
Final nominations will be announced on Oct. 30.