What happens when two badass songwriters get a $4.78 royalty check for a global hit? They start a revolution.
In this episode of The Stiletto Room, I sit down with my dear friends Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo, “Here & Now”) and Michelle Lewis (Cher, Little Mix, Andra Day) to revisit the wild story of how we founded SONA (Songwriters of North America). From walking into my office with questions, to organizing hundreds of writers overnight, to suing the Department of Justice (yes, we really did that)—this is the untold story of how songwriters finally got a seat at the table.
We also get real about sobriety, survival, chasing each other down the street into rehab, motherhood, and why protecting creators isn’t just about money—it’s about dignity.
This conversation is funny, fiery, and historic. If you’ve ever loved a song, you owe these women—and every songwriter—a listen.
About Kay Hanley:
Kay Hanley is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning songwriter, activist, and lead singer of Boston alt-rock band Letters To Cleo, known for hits like Here and Now and Awake. After acclaimed albums and her solo release Cherry Marmalade, the band reunited in 2016 for sold-out U.S. tours and new music. Kay’s voice and songs appear in films like Josie and the Pussycats and 10 Things I Hate About You, and she co-wrote the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds musical episode Subspace Rhapsody. She has written songs for Doc McStuffins (Peabody Award), Vampirina, Ada Twist, Scientist, and Emmy-winning We The People. Hanley co-founded SONA (Songwriters of North America) and serves on the Mechanical Licensing Collective, advocating for songwriter rights in the streaming era.
About Michelle Lewis:
Michelle Lewis is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning songwriter, composer, and advocate for music creators’ rights. She has written singles for Cher, Amy Grant, Andra Day, and Little Mix, and Emmy-winning songs for Bubble Guppies, The Loud House, Julie and the Phantoms, and Disney’s Doc McStuffins. Michelle co-created and executive produces Disney Jr.’s Kindergarten The Musical. As co-founder and CEO of SONA (Songwriters of North America) and the SONA Foundation, she helped pass the Music Modernization Act, fought for fair streaming royalties, healthcare, and protections, and now advocates for ethical guardrails in AI. She also serves on the Board of Directors at ASCAP, amplifying songwriter voices worldwide.
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