When Ross Golan got the call to join the Recording Academy's Songwriters & Composers Wing as its new Co-Chair, he didn't need much convincing.

"There is no name in music more ubiquitous than the GRAMMYs," he tells GRAMMY.com in an exclusive interview. "Standing on the outside, I've watched the S&C Wing maturate over the past five years. I couldn't be more impressed with the teamwork. When I was asked if I would be interested in continuing my advocacy work as a Co-Chair of the Wing, I didn't hesitate."

Golan is now bringing his creative vision and extensive experience to help usher in the next era of the S&C Wing, which has evolved to become a central hub for songwriters and composers across the wider music industry. As Co-Chair, he will help shape the Wing's programming, promote and expand its membership, and collaborate with industry partners to serve Recording Academy members. He joins fellow S&C Wing Co-Chair Evan Bogart and Senior Managing Director Susan Stewart, who will collectively build the Wing's next chapter and expand its mission.

A Songwriter With Hits — And A Mission

If you've turned on the radio, scrolled through TikTok, or walked into a Broadway theater in the last decade, you've likely heard Ross Golan's work — even if you didn't know his name. That's the paradox of being a songwriter: the songs soar into the world while the creators remain behind the scenes.

An award-winning, multi-platinum songwriter, Golan has managed to carve out an unusually visible lane. He's written for stars across genres, from Céline Dion to Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande. In 2016, he was named the BMI Songwriter Of The Year. His musicals have earned eight Drama Desk nominations. And his reputation as a songwriter with both mainstream appeal and artistic soul has made him a sought-after collaborator.

Golan's creative background also mixes deep music industry experience. His celebrated podcast "And The Writer Is," which garners more than 1 million views across platforms every week, has become an essential resource for all songwriters. He was the first songwriter on the board of the National Music Publishers Association, where he currently serves as the co-chair of the organization's Gold and Platinum Program, and he's currently on the board of the Songwriters of North America.

Through these organizations, he's helped secure benefits for songwriters and publishers across the music industry, including higher rates, legislation benefitting songwriters, and protection against harmful practices, all issues that the Songwriters & Composers Wing has championed throughout the years.

"We can lead together," Golan says of how his work and relationships with major music trade organizations will coincide with his new role with the S&C Wing. "I believe this era can be the safest, most protected time for a songwriter."

Golan's advocacy has placed him at the forefront of policy battles that shape how — and if — songwriters can make a living. For Golan, joining the S&C Wing feels like a natural extension of that mission: building a stronger, more equitable future for all songwriters and composers.

"We need to build back the middle class of songwriters. We cannot sustain an all-or-nothing profession, or we will cut out any development," he says. "There are ways to provide a sustainable existence for working songwriters and composers. One thing the S&C Wing has [going] are the resources and reach to add other contributors throughout the music business to fight with us. Because if we don't, the music will suffer … It's time we help songwriters and composers … to rise and thrive."

The Evolution Of The S&C Wing

When the Recording Academy launched the Songwriters & Composers Wing in 2021, originally introduced during the 2021 GRAMMYs, it marked a turning point in the Academy's 60-plus-year history. Songwriters and composers — often the hidden architects of music — finally had a dedicated home.

The S&C Wing has since become a lifeline for songwriters and composers — a place where they can celebrate their craft, expand their network, and fight for their rights within the larger music industry. Today, the Songwriters & Composers Wing is widely recognized as "the home of Songwriters & Composers." S&C Wing Co-Chair Evan Bogart has been along for the ride since day one.

As the original Chair of the Songwriters & Composers Wing at launch, Bogart has seen the Wing grow to become an essential resource for the songwriting and composing community. Together with S&C Wing Senior Managing Director Susan Stewart, he's helped lead the Academy's charge to champion songwriters and composers by developing opportunities for celebration, collaboration, advocacy, networking, and education.

"It's a common saying that 'it all starts with a song,' but it's true," Bogart tells GRAMMY.com in an exclusive interview. "Yet often we've been the unsung, invisible creators behind the curtain. Now, we've got a seat at the table next to all of the other incredible crafts and creators that the Academy champions. Seeing our community recognized, protected, and celebrated at the highest levels of music? That's what fires me up every day!"

Additionally, Bogart will simultaneously represent the Recording Academy on a national level as Vice Chair of the Academy's Board of Trustees, for which he was elected in June. In his dual role, he'll work with Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. and the Academy's executive leaders to shape the organization's strategic direction and fulfill its mission of serving music people across the music industry.

"What I love about this is that the roles feed each other," Bogart reflects. "As Vice Chair [of the Recording Academy's Board of Trustees], I get to champion every corner and craft of the music-making world: performers, producers, engineers, instrumentalists — you name it. But at my core, I'm a songwriter, so getting to bring that perspective into those bigger national conversations is special. And then, as Co-Chair of the S&C Wing, I'm side by side with my songwriting and composing family, making sure their voices are heard. So I'm listening on one side and amplifying on the other. Call it rhythm, or harmony, or maybe even a counter-melody? Pick your favorite music metaphor!"

Fighting For Songwriters' Rights & Representation

The S&C Wing's impact is already measurable: The Wing today counts more than 6,000 active members, while songwriters and composers make up 46% of the Recording Academy's Voting membership, as revealed in the Academy's 2024 membership report.

"Our diverse members represent over 22 musical genres," Stewart said in an interview with GRAMMY.com. "The S&C Wing has grown substantially, and while we are deeply proud of the hard work, our membership growth indicates how many people are writing today to make a living and the importance of protecting the craft and their livelihoods. We have been excited about recent opportunities for writers and a re-emergence of independent writers, who deserve even more opportunities to connect."

The S&C Wing also played a key role in the development and launch of the groundbreaking Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical GRAMMY Award, a progressive GRAMMY honor, introduced at the 2023 GRAMMYs, that further cemented artistic excellence in songwriting.

"The Songwriter of the Year GRAMMY wasn't just another trophy added to the list," Bogart reflects. "It was a signal to the entire industry that songwriting is its own art form, worthy of being honored and celebrated on its own terms.

"And the effect that it has had is huge. It's inspired publishers and labels to look at songwriters differently, it's created more visibility and opportunity for songwriters who might've otherwise stayed in the shadows, and it's given a whole generation of young songwriters permission to dream bigger," he adds.

Still the mission of the S&C Wing goes beyond the celebration of the craft: It fights to protect its members year-round through legislation, representation and beyond.

The S&C Wing has become a powerful voice in advocacy, helping push through landmark legislative victories, including the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act in California and the Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act on the federal level.

"Over the past year, the S&C Wing has supported the newly passed Helping Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act, the American Music Fairness Act, and a defeat of a harmful federal moratorium on state AI regulation," Stewart said.

"We have also supported the ELVIS Act in Tennessee, the federal Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act, and similar legislation across states nationwide," she continued. "Advocacy is crucial to the Wing, and this includes education so that songwriters and composers understand their rights. We also join with other songwriter organizations on legislation we can support."  

Building Toward The Future

Next March, the S&C Wing will celebrate its fifth anniversary, a major milestone it will celebrate throughout 2026. As the Wing enters its next era, its leaders are doubling down on both education and advocacy, key pillars for the organization.

Most recently, the S&C Wing wrapped up its 2024-2025 programming year, dubbed "A Year of Best Practices," which included wide-spanning initiatives in collaboration with all 12 of the Recording Academy's Chapters and the "Writer to Writer: Best Practices for Songwriting in a Global Market" panel, a global virtual event, presented in collaboration with the Latin Recording Academy, that premiered in nine countries. Through these programs, the Wing helped educate its members across genres and professional levels on important standards for songwriters and composers.

For Stewart, keeping the S&C Wing at the forefront of progress and change is critical.

"Songwriters and composers are the heartbeat of the entire music ecosystem. Without them, there is no music!" she says. "We exist to serve the writing community and protect these crafts, so legislation is ongoing and paramount, as well as staying on top of ever-evolving technology. Continued education, support for emerging writers, and providing opportunity to build networks are some things we will always do."

For nearly five years, the Songwriters & Composers Wing has leveled up the representation of songwriters and composers within the Recording Academy and across the music industry at-large, bringing songwriters together, spotlighting their stories, and fighting for their future.

And in a profession where these creators are so often behind the scenes, this may be the most important contribution of all.