Advisory Board

Here are the names and brief biographies of the five, prominent songwriters who serve on our Advisory Board: Billy Steinberg, Brenda Russell, Jeff Silbar, Allan Rich and Jud Friedman.

Billy Steinberg

Billy Steinberg, who has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, has written many hit songs. He is best known for co-writing “Like a Virgin” for Madonna, “True Colors” and “I Drove All Night’ for Cyndi Lauper, “Eternal Flame” and “In Your Room” for the Bangles, “So Emotional” for Whitney Houston, “Alone” for Heart, “I’ll Stand By You” for the Pretenders, “Give Your Heart a Break” (Demi Lovato), “How Do I Make You” (Linda Ronstadt), “I Touch Myself” (Divinyls) and “Too Little Too Late” (JoJo). He is a Grammy Award winner.

Steinberg has written many songs with Tom Kelly, Rick Nowels, Susanna Hoffs, Chryssie Hynde, Cyndi Lauper, Josh Alexander and other top collaborators. His website is https://billysteinberg.com/

Brenda Russell

Brenda Russell is a renowned pop & R&B singer/songwriter who has written many hit and classic songs. As an artist she had a Top 10 hit with her song, “Piano in the Dark.” Her song, “Get Here,” was recorded by Oleta Adams and became a big hit. Her song, “If Only For One Night,” was recorded by Luther Vandross and became a hit. She’s also written songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, Donna Summer and many other artists.

More recently, Russell co-wrote the songs (with Allee Willis & Stephen Bray) for the Broadway musical, The Color Purple.” In 2016, she won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre album for The Color Purple. Also, a new 2023 movie version of The Color Purple is being released. Her website is https://brendarussell.com/

Jeff Silbar

Jeff Silbar has been a successful pop, country and rock songwriter for the past three decades, with a variety of hit singles and platinum cuts to his credit. However, he is perhaps best known for co-writing (with Larry Henley) the classic, Grammy-winning song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” This is one of the most memorable songs and greatest standards of the past few decades. Silbar won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, when it was recorded by Bette Midler and became a #1 hit.

In addition, Silbar has written several other hits, including a #1 country hit for Janie Fricke, “He’s A Heartache (Looking for A Place To Happen),” and a #1 AC hit, “Where Were You When I Was Falling In Love,” by Lobo. Silbar lives in Los Angeles and he continues to write songs and produce. His website is https://jeffsilbar.com/

Allan Rich

Allan Rich is a renowned songwriter & lyricist who has written many classic hit songs. He has received multiple Grammy and Oscar nominations for the songs he’s written. He’s written many songs with his longtime collaborator & composer, Jud Friedman, Rich’s hit songs include “Run To You” for Whitney Houston (from The Bodyguard soundtrack), the #1 hit “I Don’t Have The Heart” for James Ingram, “I Live For Your Love” for Natalie Cole and “For The First Time” for Kenny Loggins.

Rich has written songs for many other top artists including Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle. Luther Vandross, N’Sync and Barry Manilow. Rich is also a talented singer who occasionally performs his songs in shows. His website is https://allanrichsongs.com/

Jud Friedman

Jud Friedman is a highly successful and talented songwriter and producer. He has received Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. He has written many classic hit songs, mostly with his longtime collaborator, Allan Rich. Friedman’s hit songs include “Run To You” for Whitney Houston (from The Bodyguard soundtrack), the #1 hit “I Don’t Have The Heart” for James Ingram and “For The First Time” for Kenny Loggins.

Friedman has also written songs for Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Leann Rimes, Chaka Khah, Oleta Adams, Gladys Knight and Dave Koz. In addition, Friedman produces and develops new artists, and teaches songwriting. His website is https://judfriedmanmusic.com/