S.L.A.M. AWARD PRESENTATION
The S.L.A.M. award presentation Ceremony is Aug. 27th, a week away as I write this... all, please take a minute to read this message. thank you.
As we hope to become wiser, um...older...grow a bit, is where we should eventually know a bit more of ourselves, and at the same time, hope to learn about others. Struggles coming at us in so many forms, and how we handle the struggles, might be different.
It has become a finding the calm within, and being able to control my "freak outs", or try to learn when there is lack of knowledge when a new problem were to arise in front of me. It will continue to challenge me. This realization, takes me to see beyond myself. Not everyone is having the same day or minute, that you are.
S.L.A.M is helping secure all of us in that realization, and is here to recognize all of us in these moments that we might need even just a little help.
Support Life And Music...has brought awareness.
I appreciate this cause and I support all who are working towards better places for our inner calm.
Humbled and honored to receive and to be recognized in this movement.
Thank you, to all at S.L.A.M.
INFO:
Support Life And Music’s 2026 SLAM Awards pay tribute to music’s mental health heroes. These individuals have improved the music landscape through advocacy, action, words, writing, music, personal triumphs, and/or their own inspiring examples. The SLAM Awards event is history in the making!
-Host: Cathy Rankin
-2026 SLAM Award Recipients:
Michael Alago (Legendary record label executive and artist. Subject of the acclaimed documentary: "Who the F**k is That Guy?", author of "I Am Michael Alago.")
John Bambino (VP Artist Management for In De Goot Entertainment)
Dani Cutler (Scene Mom Says, ex-KWSS Radio DJ)
Rob Halford (Hall of Fame singer for Judas Priest, author of "Confess" and "Biblical")
Amy Sciarretto (Trendsetting music publicist, founder of Atom Splitter PR)
Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (Rap/Hip-Hop pioneer, author of "Ten Ways to Not Commit Suicide")
Pamela Parks (Headity Artist Management)
Jason McMaster (Iconic singer from Dangerous Toys, co-host of Talk Louder podcast)
Dr. George Musgrave (aka Context, a Rapper who's worked with Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, others. He co-wrote a groundbreaking clinical paper on musician mental health)
Dr. Dorian Lamis (Psychologist, author, and professor who co-wrote the clinical paper, "Musicians, the music industry, and suicide: epidemiology, risk factors, and suggested prevention approaches," with George Musgrave.)
Marc Lopes (Singer with Let Us Prey, ex-Metal Church)
-Music videos and performances from:
Chuck Tomasi - Technorama
Garrett James and the Wanderers - Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Center
Jack Mangan - S.L.A.M.
Cathy Rankin
-Guest presentations from:
Jose Mangin - SiriusXM
Todd La Torre - Queensryche
Michael Stackpole - Author
David Ellefson - Kings of Thrash, ex-Megadeth
Burton C. Bell - Solo artist, ex-Fear Factory
Dobber Beverly - Oceans of Slumber
Ben Wells - Black Stone Cherry
Monte Conner* - Nuclear Blast Records
Evo Terra - Simpler Media
Dr. Sheila Dee - Simpler Media
"Metal Dave" Glessner - Talk Louder
Jonathan Jacobs - Rawkstars
Ari Jacobson - Backline
Hilary Gleason - Backline
Debbie Watson - Nuci's Place
And more!
*Monte Conner’s testimonial read by Jack Mangan
The host segments were primarily filmed at Technorama Studios, engineered by Chuck Tomasi, with production by Vincent Desiderioscioli of YoVinny Productions. The 2026 SLAM Awards Show is sponsored by All Access VIP Adventures.
-About S.L.A.M:
The Support Life And Music (S.L.A.M.) nonprofit was founded in 2025 by veteran journalist, Jack Mangan, to fight back against music industry tragedies from substance misuse, depression, and suicide. S.L.A.M. is saving music lives through storytelling, media, research, and inspiration.
S.L.A.M. has made a powerful impact in its first 20 months:
Season 1 of the “SLAM: Music Survival Guide” podcast featured 55 episodes of conversations with musicians of all levels, music industry VIPs, authors, and more. Season 2 will be even more exciting, launching on August 27 with the SLAM Awards episode!
In its first 20 months, S.L.A.M. published 43 articles, essays, reviews, and think pieces, including 7 D.R.E.A.M. (Data, Research, Education, Awareness, Music) reports.
S.L.A.M. has had official appearances at numerous in-person events, including Arizona Bike Week, Phoenix International Jazz Festival, MIM’s Celebrate Soul, and more.
We're here to improve musician mental health and seriously reduce music industry tragedies.
WELCOME TO ALL THINGS MCMASTER
Jason McMaster, vocalist, bassist, songwriter, producer, artist, rock and metal enthusiast, minister (Pastor McMaster from the Church of Disaster)
Known for fronting progressive metal pioneers Watchtower, as well as nasty Texas rockers Dangerous Toys, and the kick in the face riff raffers Broken Teeth. McMaster also fronts a Judas Priest tribute called Sad Wings. Check out all of Jason’s bands here as well as the gallery and live dates here!
Also check out his new project with CASSIUS KING here!
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