ASCAP Honors Adam Sandler’s Songwriting With 2026 Founders Award
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ASCAP will present Adam Sandler with its 2026 Founders Award on February 12 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, as part of the 2026 ASCAP Experience. The organization is recognizing Sandler’s contributions as a songwriter whose music has been central to his comedy, film work, and broader pop culture output.
Sandler has been an ASCAP member for 33 years and has nearly 450 works registered with the organization, per a press release. The release also notes six album releases, including two that went double-platinum, along with three Grammy nominations. It cites material ranging from SNL-era songs such as “Lunchlady Land” and “The Thanksgiving Song” to later work including his tribute to Chris Farley in the Netflix special 100% Fresh.
“Adam is a giant of comedy, and so many of his most hilarious onscreen moments are based in music and song,” ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams said in the announcement, referencing examples that include “Opera Man,” “The Chanukah Song,” and “Grow Old with You.”
The Founders Award is one of ASCAP’s major legacy awards, meant for creators whose writing has shaped how other musicians approach songs. Previous winners span multiple generations and genres, including Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Stevie Wonder.
The Founders Award presentation will take place within ASCAP Experience, the organization’s one-day conference for music creators. The 2026 schedule described in the release includes panels, workshops, and performances, along with a fireside chat featuring Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. ASCAP’s event site indicates the 2026 conference is currently at capacity.
Header Photo Courtesy Bryan Berlin/Wikimedia Commons
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