On June 29, 2026, Rachel Stilwell was honored with the Ed & Al Award at the 2026 Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament at Sand Canyon Country Club.

The award is named for Ed Cherney and Al Schmitt — two of the most revered recording engineers of all time, and two of the most beloved people ever to work behind a console. Between them, they shaped records for artists from Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra, to Bonnie Raitt and the Rolling Stones. But ask anyone who knew them, and the first thing you'll hear about isn't the discographies, but the generosity and mentorship.

Ed and Al served for years as honorary co-chairs of the tournament, an annual gathering bringing together the Los Angeles recording community to fundraise for music education. After Ed passed away in 2019 and Al in 2021, the tournament created the award in their names to be given to the person who best embodies what they both stood for: leadership in the recording community, mentorship of the next generation, integrity, and a spirit of service that makes the whole industry stronger. 

Rachel has spent her career at the intersection of music, law, and advocacy, fighting for artists, engineers, and the audio community. Whether advocating for creators' rights, mentoring young professionals entering the industry, or just showing up for the causes and people that make this community what it is, she strives to lead like Ed and Al did: with an unwavering commitment to lifting others up.

This year's tournament benefited Education Through Music-Los Angeles, which provides music education to underserved students across L.A.