Songwriter Ross Golan, known for co-writing hits like Selena Gomez’s “Same Old Love,” Flo Rida’s “My House,” and Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman” — all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 — has been appointed co-chair of the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers (S&C) Wing. In this role, he will collaborate with songwriter and current chair Evan Bogart (who will transition to co-chair) and S&C Wing senior managing director Susan Stewart.
“Since its inception, I’ve witnessed how the S&C Wing has offered its diverse and expanding membership the support necessary to thrive during these challenging times,” Golan stated. “We are at a pivotal moment for songwriters and composers, and we creators need this community now more than ever. It is an honor to step into this role as co-chair, and I look forward to working with the entire organization to advocate for the thousands of members who consider the S&C Wing their home.”
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In addition to his songwriting career, Golan, 45, is also a record producer, podcaster, and playwright. He was named the 2016 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year and is currently published by Warner Chappell Music. Golan hosts the popular And the Writer Is… podcast, co-produced by Joe London.
Golan has been an integral part of the Recording Academy for many years. In 2016, he co-authored an initiative that allowed songwriters to be nominated in the Grammys’ album of the year category for the first time. This change was implemented at the 2018 ceremony.
In 2018, Golan played a significant role in advocating for the Music Modernization Act. In 2019, he became the first songwriter to serve on the board of directors of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA). He is also currently on the board of Songwriters of North America and serves as co-chair of NMPA’s Gold and Platinum Program.
The S&C Wing, inspired by the academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing, was first announced during the Grammy telecast in March 2021. Since then, it has worked to enhance songwriters’ visibility. For instance, in 2023, the Academy presented its inaugural Grammy Award for songwriter of the year in the non-classical category. This award was modeled after the producer of the year award in non-classical music, which was first awarded in 1975. The first three recipients of this songwriter award were Tobias Jesso Jr., Theron Thomas, and Amy Allen.
The S&C Wing comprises over 6,000 Academy members. According to the Academy’s fall 2024 membership report, songwriters and composers represent 46% of its voting membership, more than any other creative discipline. Producers and instrumentalists are tied for second place at 33% each, followed by vocalists at 32% and engineers at 19%. (Members may select more than one category.)
In addition to continuing as co-chair, Bogart, 47, will also represent the Academy nationally as vice chair of its board of trustees, as announced in June.
The S&C Wing’s dedication to elevating creators in these fields has contributed to legislative successes such as California’s Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act and the federal Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act.
