Backbeat: Steve Bartels, L.A. Reid, Tom Poleman, Alissa Pollack More at Taste of Hope Auction

In a speech before the live auction bidding, Pollack revealed her father’s recent stage-four lung cancer diagnosis. As the room quieted, she shared her personal story, saying that it really brought home the importance of events like “Taste of Hope.”

“Cancer has touched someone we all know and love,” Pollack said.

Steve Bartels, President and COO of Island Def Jam music group, took the mic and encouraged big spending for charity during the live auction. The $500 dollar a plate dinner was a sell-out.

And there was plenty of talk in the room about music.

“I’m really excited about Twenty One Pilots,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms for Clear Channel. “I saw them at South by Southwest, and they’re on the Brink.”

New Epic Records chairman and CEO, Antonio “LA.” Reid, jumped in to say, “I’m excited about Future, and the future.” The rapper Future recently signed a solo deal with the Epic label group.

Poleman then added that U.K. artist Katie Tiz is also one to watch; “She’s produced by RedOne and she’s Rhianna-meets-Mariah-Carey -- and she’s got hits.”

Mike McVay, Cumulus Media SVP is eyeing the future of music delivery.

“I look forward to my songs on phones,” adding that “Adele is the greatest artist of our lifetime. And I date back to the Beatles.”

A number of up-and-comer artists attended the event, including pop singer Ashley Nemeh and country artist Lisa Matassa, simply to get facetime with industry execs. There were no live performances at all.

Reviver Management CEO

introduced new country singer

around the room “To bring notoriety to the cause,” he said. “Samantha had a cut on the “Let Us In” Linda McCartney tribute album, a fundraiser for the women and cancer fund. We’re passionate about supporting cancer research.”