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Major Streaming Services And Tech Companies Join MusiCares In Support Of COVID-19 Relief Fund

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Amazon Music, Facebook, SiriusXM and Pandora, Spotify, TIDAL, and YouTube Music announce generous contributions to MusiCares' coronavirus relief fund
MusiCares
Mar 24, 2020 - 9:00 am

In a bold statement of unity within the music industry, leading music streaming and tech companies Amazon Music, Facebook, SiriusXM and Pandora, Spotify, TIDAL, and YouTube Music have announced today they are contributing to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to support music industry workers in need.

"The music community is in great need so The Recording Academy greatly appreciates the collective support and emergency aid that this coalition of music industry and tech leaders has provided," said Harvey Mason jr, Recording Academy Interim President/CEO. "We hope these partnerships inspire other organizations to stand behind the music community in this time of great uncertainty. We continue to encourage our peers to embrace the collaborative power of music and to support impacted industry professionals in both trying and good times."

The COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to provide monetary support to the thousands of music creators and industry professionals who have been most affected by the Coronavirus pandemic due to the unprecedented cancellation of music events and work opportunities. Since the fund’s establishment last week, MusiCares and the Recording Academy have raised millions more than the initial $2 million to start the COVID-19 Relief Fund, thanks to its esteemed partners, but more is needed.

With this fund, music industry professionals including artists, production crews, technicians, and anyone impacted by the loss of income due to live music event cancelations, can apply for basic living assistance.

Beyond the initial donations, all Recording Academy Chapters have committed to fundraising in their local communities. Additionally, the Recording Academy appealed to Congress to further protect musicians, performers, songwriters, and studio professionals such as self-employed gig workers who are impacted by cancellations due to the ongoing pandemic. Further updates and announcements regarding additional partnerships will be announced in the coming days.

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, visit: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/CoronavirusReliefFund

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit: musicares.org.  

 

GRAMMYs
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Performing Rights Organizations ASCAP, BMI & SESAC Join In Support Of MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

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Established by the Recording Academy and MusiCares, the fund was created to help all music industry workers in need
MusiCares
Apr 15, 2020 - 9:00 am

Performing Rights Organizations, including the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and SESAC have announced today that they are contributing to create a special fund as part of the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to support music creators who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's inspiring to see every sector of the music industry band together during a time of need," said Harvey Mason jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement. "With the help of these latest contributions and the generous donations over the past few weeks, we've been able to garner more than $10 million to provide aid for music people across all genres, crafts and disciplines affected by the coronavirus pandemic. That said, the need is still so great and these times remain critical for music people."

While the COVID-19 Relief Fund was created to help all music industry workers in need, the funds collected from the PROs will be focused on helping their respective songwriters, composers and lyricists. Members and affiliates of each contributing PRO are encouraged to apply for a grant through the COVID-19 relief fund via www.musicares.org.

"Songwriters, composers and lyricists are the backbone of the music industry — not only is their craft vital to our creative culture and so many other businesses, they also help to lift up humanity in moments like these," said Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of ASCAP. "We thank our fellow PROs for joining together with ASCAP to create and support this specially created fund through MusiCares and the Recording Academy that will provide our music writers with the emergency relief grants they need at this difficult time."

Mike O’Neill, President & CEO of BMI, added, "The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund is an important resource for songwriters and composers, who, like so many, have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. BMI is grateful to be able to contribute to this initiative and help in some small way to ease the financial hardship of music creators during this trying time. We are happy to join ASCAP and SESAC in supporting this vital effort and we thank them, the Recording Academy, and MusiCares for helping all of our writers. The creative community is resilient and will continue to inspire the industry as we get through this together."

Since the fund's establishment in March, with initial seed donations of $1 million each by MusiCares and the Recording Academy, millions more have been raised with the support of numerous partners. However, more is needed to meet the growing demand.

"We recognize the profound impact which the COVID-19 pandemic and state mandated shutdowns are having on songwriters as well as the global music community," said John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC. "We’re pleased to be joining with ASCAP and BMI to support MusiCares' expanded funding in support of songwriter and composer applicants. It’s essential that we do all we can to make sure that our creators have the resources they need to navigate this crisis and continue practicing their craft."

The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund was created by the Recording Academy and MusiCares to provide monetary support to music people in need due to the cancellation of income-generating music events and other industry work opportunities. Beyond the fund, all Recording Academy Chapters have committed to fundraising in their local communities. Additionally, the Recording Academy appealed to Congress to further protect musicians, performers, songwriters, and studio professionals such as self-employed gig workers who are impacted by cancellations due to the ongoing pandemic. The Recording Academy and MusiCares will continue to provide resources to those in need.

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, visit: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/CoronavirusReliefFund

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit: musicares.org.  

GRAMMYs
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MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund Update: Top Music Organizations, Charitable Foundations & More Make Major Donations

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The fund provides financial assistance for music creators and industry professionals affected by the coronavirus pandemic
MusiCares
Mar 31, 2020 - 9:00 am

Support continues to mount for the COVID-19 Relief Fund established by the Recording Academy and its affiliated charitable organization MusiCares. Today the organizations announced a group of top music organizations including the Latin Recording Academy, StubHub, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, City National Bank and Bill Silva Entertainment, and charitable foundations and trusts including the William, Jeff, and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation, George Harrison's Material World Foundation, the Michael Jackson Estate, Alicia Keys and She Is The Music and Yoshiki Foundation America. have made significant contributions to the fund.

"It's incredible to see how many within the music industry have continued to show support for COVID-19 Relief Efforts," said Steve Boom, chair of MusiCares. "The impacts of this virus are very real, as many struggle to know where their next rent payment is coming from, or how next week's groceries are going to be paid for. Our fund is there to help meet those needs as much as it can, and every gesture of support counts."

The MusiCares MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund was created to help music people affected by the pandemic due to the cancellation of income-generating music events and other industry work opportunities. Since the fund's establishment two weeks ago with initial seed donations of $1 million each by MusiCares and the Recording Academy, millions more have been raised with the support of numerous partners. However, more is needed to meet the demand.

"So many people in our community remain in desperate need and many are living day to day whether they are a gigging musician, sound engineer or event logistics person," said Harvey Mason jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "We are thrilled that so many in our community are coming forward to support each other and we are grateful for all the organizations who are standing in the gap for music people in need."

Beyond the initial donations, all Recording Academy Chapters have committed to fundraising in their local communities. Additionally, the Recording Academy appealed to Congress to further protect musicians, performers, songwriters, and studio professionals such as self-employed gig workers who are impacted by cancellations due to the ongoing pandemic. The stimulus package has since passed, and includes key provisions and protections that will benefit countless music industry professionals who are struggling in the wake of Coronavirus.

With the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, music industry professionals, including artists, production crews, technicians, and anyone impacted by the loss of income due to live music event cancelations, can apply for basic living assistance.

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, visit: www.grammy.com/musicares/coronavirusrelieffund

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit: musicares.org.  

GRAMMYs
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Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

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Both the Recording Academy and MusiCares have contributed an initial donation of $1 million each, totaling $2 million
GRAMMYs
Mar 17, 2020 - 10:36 am

The Recording Academy and its affiliated charitable foundation MusiCares have established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help people in the music industry affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and subsequent cancellation of multiple music events. From hotel and bar gigs to major music festivals, COVID-19 is deeply impacting live music events, and the creative community behind it all.

Administered through MusiCares, the COVID-19 Fund will be used to directly support those in the music community with the greatest need. To establish the fund, both the Recording Academy and MusiCares have contributed an initial donation of $1 million each, totaling $2 million. Additionally, all Recording Academy Chapters have committed to fundraising in their local communities. Further updates and announcements will be made in the coming days.

"Event cancellations are at unprecedented levels and the situation, therefore, requires an unprecedented response," said Harvey Mason jr., Chair and Interim CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement. "Many people in the industry are now in crisis, not knowing what the future holds or having to deal with dire commercial realities. We are asking the entire industry to stand with us to support the musicians, artists and professionals who are the bedrock and the future of our music community."

"It’s in times like these that many of us turn to music. Music can help us cope, and has the power to bring us together during a time when many of us might feel isolated. We encourage people everywhere to embrace the music industry which needs our help in these uncertain times."

MusiCares chair Steve Boom added, "The music industry is built on the work of musicians, artists, and music professionals. It is in times like these, that the industry needs to come together to support those who are struggling, particularly those who rely on touring incomes to survive. We know this fund will need to be significant. We will not be able to do it alone, and that’s why we are asking the entire music community including labels, streaming services, and anyone who is able to join us in this important effort. We're all in when the good times roll, and it’s important that we're all in when times are tough, too."

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music people in need, visit: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/CoronavirusReliefFund

GRAMMYs

The Recording Academy

News

We're All Fans

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Academy unveils innovative ad campaign
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

(For a complete list of 52nd GRAMMY Award winners, please click here.)

The Recording Academy and TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles unveiled an innovative advertising campaign for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, airing live on CBS Jan. 31, 8–11:30 p.m. ET/PT. The fully integrated campaign, titled "We're All Fans," highlights music fans' unprecedented impact in the current digital age.

The heart of the campaign is the Web site, www.wereallfans.com — a first-of-its-kind interactive fan experience — featuring portraits of GRAMMY-nominated artists composed entirely of real-time, fan-generated YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook postings. This user-submitted content is continuously gathered from these social media platforms and refreshed on the campaign site to form a constantly evolving, "living" portrait of each artist. TV, print, out-of-home, and interactive all support and will drive traffic to the site.

"Music connects us all and while it comes to life in the hands of artists, it lives and breathes in the hearts and minds of fans," said Evan Greene, Chief Marketing Officer of The Recording Academy. "With the natural evolution of social media, fans have become a cultural force driving the power of music, and this year's ad campaign celebrates the connection between fans and some of today's most relevant artists."

"Fans have always been the driving force of music, but with the rise of social media they are now more powerful, more connected and more influential than ever," said Patrick O'Neill, executive creative director at TBWA\Chiat\Day\Los Angeles. "We wanted to tap into what music fans are already doing: sharing, tweeting, singing about their favorite song/musician/lyric every second, every day, all over the Web. The 'We're All Fans' GRAMMY Awards campaign harnesses this enthusiasm and puts the fans at the center of the idea. And we all know, music is nothing without the fans."

Inspired by www.wereallfans.com, TV, print and out-of-home will use social media as building blocks to highlight the varied and unique ways fans pay homage to their favorite artists. TV commercials will include Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and LL Cool J. Print and out-of-home advertisements feature the five artists nominated for Album Of The Year — Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Dave Matthews Band, and Taylor Swift — as well as other current nominees including Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Pink, and Carrie Underwood.

The Web site will also have the built-in functionality for users to upload their own image and create a "We're All Fans" portrait of themselves, built from fan-generated content about their chosen artist. Fans are urged to return to the site often as new artists will be added throughout the run up to the GRAMMY Awards telecast on Jan. 31.

Leading men's fashion designer John Varvatos has designed a collection of "We're All Fans"-inspired GRAMMY T-shirts to further support the 52nd GRAMMY Awards that will be available for purchase nationwide through his stores and through Bloomingdales stores. The shirts feature this year's Album Of The Year nominees and will cost $45, with proceeds going to support The Recording Academy's charitable affiliates: MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation.

The 52nd GRAMMY Awards will take place live on Sunday, Jan. 31, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook.