Most Powerful Woman in Music

ICM's Marsha Vlasic (left) with Julie Greenwald of
Atlantic Records Group (Photo: Arnold Turner)

I heard some stunning news yesterday - the happy kind.  I learned that Wurtsboro native, Julie Greenwald, was again named Billboard's "most powerful woman in music." I've known several talented members of the Greenwald family, who are our neighbors in Wurtsboro, but I only knew of them being skilled in either business or in their Law practices.

In reading several articles on Billboard.biz, I discovered that Ms Greenwald has made a highly respected name for herself in the music industry with Atlantic Records Group. Billboard honors such achievements at their annual Women in Music Awards. We have all shared the pride in the meteoric rise of our other local music celebrity, Gavin DeGraw of South Fallsburg.  Learning about Julie Greenwald's accomplishments was all new to me. She topped the female executives list for the third consecutive year as Atlantic Records Group co-chairman/COO.

The Women in Music 2012 event was a huge gala, held at Capitale in New York. A highlight of the evening was recognition of the "Woman of the Year," Katy Perry.  In her acceptance speech on Friday she told the crowded audience, "I am not a feminist, but I do believe in the strength of women. . . I don't really like to call myself a role model for my fans. I hope that I am an inspiration for them, especially young women. My mantra, especially for the 'Part Of Me' film, was: If you believe in yourself, you can be anything."  Both Katy Perry and Julie Greenwald are living proof of this philosophy.  We congratulate Ms Greenwald and the entire Greenwald family.