First Name: John
Last Name: Adams
Company Name: The Score: Music, Sports, Marketing
Past Affiliations: Rhino Records
Number of Golden Matrix Award nominations: Unsure, but I don’t believe he has ever been nominated for any GMA’s
Golden Matrix Awards won: President’s Trophy – 2006
Special Events Worked: I could never count for the number of special events John has worked, that’s only related to his business with The Score.
Achievements/Innovations: John pioneered the practice of getting music cleared for in-stadium use. All the way up to the pandemic it was uncommon for teams to clear the music they used in stadium but he consistently stayed loyal to the groups of
sports entertainment professionals. And then during the pandemic, when the record companies started coming for the sports teams, he was there only to assist and educate those who had been cutting corners. Prior to that he was a regular supplier of in-game giveaways like CD’s and DVD’s and from the early 2000’s until physical media all but dissipated he was easily the best resource or free lucky row type of giveaways.
Major Milestones Achieved: This is something that I wish I had more information on. I would need an hour or two to speak with his wife to really fill this section and I am happy to do so if he is nominated.
Industry Affiliations: Between his time with Rhino Records and his own company The Score, it would be easier to list the teams John has NOT worked with than those he has. It would be safe to assume that John has worked with EVERY single sports organization affiliated with IDEA at one point or another, whether supplying them with giveaway items or, more likely licensing music for them.
Way Nominee Has Helped to Further the Industry: John is simply a lover of sports and that love has fed his desire to help sports teams improve their situation with his other great love in life, music. I think the greatest value he’s given to our industry is creating an easy, convenient, and honest way for all of us who work for sports teams to secure the music we want for our
show. And when the price tag is too high, he is the first one to offer suggestions. The man is a human jukebox
and no one better to approach when analyzing what would sound best in a sports arena
Years of IDEA Membership: 20+
Years in the Industry: 30+
IDEA Leadership: This is something that I unfortunately don’t know the answer to. The only leadership position I can confirm was the part he took in planning and facilitating the 2006 IDEA Conference in Los Angeles
IDEA Role: For years John has been teaching a breakout session informing team employees the 101 level of music licensing. I wish I had a better memory to relay all of the stories that he has shared with me over the years regarding DIEA conferences of the past. All of that being said, he is the reason post-GMA karaoke exists. That’s legendary in-and-of itself.
Character Beyond Reproach: At my first ever IDEA conference, I was in attendance with John, being a part-time employee of The Score at that time. He had only ever attended alone and on our way to the hotel on the first day of the conference he told
me “Just talk to as many people as you can. Everyone is nervous to be here and if you can be that friendly face to someone that’ll make all the difference to them”. I have never seen someone more positively social than John. He wants to connect with everyone he meets and is genuinely interested in hearing your successes and struggles. The only reason I have such a positive relationship with the IDEA conference is because of the incredibly positive reputation John has. He is an avid volunteer to his church and one of the most charitable people I know.
Special Consideration: John spent over a decade doing everything he could to make sure teams were safe from the record companies coming after them for using music without permission. He knew and would frequently be asked to snitch on any teams that were using music without permission. Every year he’d attend IDEA and hear the music that had been used without permission and never once went back and reported. And once the record companies had all of that free time on their hands during the pandemic and started coming after sports teams, he never once took a “told you so” approach. Instead, he pivoted to defending the sports teams to the record companies. He LOVES what he does and loves working with everyone within IDEA. I know there are at least half a dozen people within the IDEA organization who have a story about John Adams clearing a certain song for them in less than 24 hours. I have been the one person who has had the opportunity to see his love and admiration for IDEA and more importantly, the people within the organization up close, attending the majority of my conferences with
him. And I’ve already said this once but – he is THE reason post-GMA karaoke exists and continues. MC of the after-party.
Nominated by: Dave Ellsworth, Orlando City SC / Orlando Pride
