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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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Country Music Association & The CMA Foundation Donate $1 Million To MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

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The donation will help music industry personnel affected by COVID-19 pandemic
Nate Hertweck
MusiCares
Apr 1, 2020 - 2:12 pm

In Nashville today, the Country Music Association (CMA) and its philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, announced a $1 million pledge to the MusiCares COVID-19 Releif Fund . The funds will be used to provide support to those in the music industry whose employment has been impacted by the effects of the virus and will specifically assist in covering mortgage and rent costs to help keep out-of-work industry professionals in their homes.

"Nashville consistently represents the best of human values and strength of character, always showing up in tough times and when there is need,” said Debbie Carroll, MusiCares Vice President, Health and Human Services. “CMA is a shining example of what makes this city great. Our heartfelt gratitude for their incredible gift that will provide much needed assistance to those struggling in the music community.”

Indeed, the CMA and CMA Foundation donation will go a long way toward giving back to the music industry, as its live events sector continues to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have heard firsthand the many ways the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only our CMA members but the music industry at large,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is to be a resource and support system for those in the music business who are currently struggling, and we’re incredibly grateful for MusiCares’ commitment to serve music industry professionals, especially right now. Our business does not exist without these hardworking individuals who make up the touring industry as well as our artists, songwriters and musicians, and we hope our pledge can provide a bit of comfort during these troubling times.”

Established by the Recording Academy and MusiCares, the fund has seen mounting support from  artists, companies, organization and charities.  The CMA and CMA Foundation's generous donation matches the original $1 million dollar amount both the Recording Academy and MusiCares pledged to setup the relief fund. 

“We’re very grateful to the CMA for the extraordinary donation to the COVID-19 Relief Fund,” added Steve Boom, MusiCares Chair. “The funds will provide much needed assistance to creators and industry professionals most affected by this pandemic. Country Music speaks to the heart and CMA has touched the heart of MusiCares, and the many members of the industry who will benefit from their generosity.”

For more information about the CMA Foundation, please visit their website. 

Learn more about how you can donate to or apply for assistance via the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Learn more about the financial, medical and personal emergencies services and resources offered by the Recording Academy and MusiCares. 

 

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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

Yoshiki

Photo: Visual China Group via Getty Images

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Yoshiki Donates $100k To MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund "To Help My Colleagues Who Might Be Struggling"

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The generous donation from the Yoshiki Foundation America to support fellow music people during the Coronavirus crisis is just one of the ways the Japanese superstar is lending a hand
Nate Hertweck
MusiCares
Mar 30, 2020 - 2:54 pm

Japanese composer, pianist, rock drummer, and leader of X JAPAN, Yoshiki, has donated $100,000 to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to help music creators and professionals affected by the Coronavirus crisis.

The generous donation comes alongside a contribution of 10M Yes (approx. $100k) the star has donated to Japan Red Cross as well as $24k to Meals On Wheels branches in Los Angeles, where Yoshiki lives.

In a statement, Yoshiki said, "While I have been calling for performances to be halted for the sake of the fans during this necessary time of self-restraint, I can also understand from my own experience the magnitude of the economic losses. The current crisis threatens not only the entertainment industry but many people across various industries.

Learn More: Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

"As a musician, I decided to donate to the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help my colleagues who might be struggling. With this virus threatening not just one country but the entire world, I sincerely hope, that through self-restraint and patience, we can contain the spread of new infections and eliminate this threat as soon as possible, and all industries can be revived again, including the entertainment industry," he added.

Yoshiki's non-profit organization, Yoshiki Foundation America previously, worked with MusiCares in 2017 to deliver $100,000 in disaster aid to Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas.

MusiCares Chair Steve Boom said, "We greatly appreciate the generous donations that will help support music professionals in need. The COVID-19 Relief Fund will help us provide much needed assistance to creators and industry professionals who have been most affected by this pandemic, due to the unprecedented cancellation of music events and work opportunities. This collective effort will ensure we have the necessary resources to keep the music playing."

Yoshiki has has also been active in sharing information about COVID-19, and even hosted a conversation with Nobel Laureate Shinya Yamanaka to discuss worldwide health concerns. 

For more information about Yoshiki Foundation America, visit the organization's website.

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

 

GRAMMYs

Thomas Rhett

Photo: John Shearer

News

Thomas Rhett Releases "Be A Light" Star-Studded Collab To Benefit MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

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Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban join Rhett for this heart-filled song to benefit people in the music industry affected by the coronavirus crisis
Nate Hertweck
MusiCares
Mar 31, 2020 - 11:40 am

Support from the music community for the MusiCares COVID-19 Releif Fund continues to grow... On March 30, Thomas Rhett's golden 30th birthday, the GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter joined the cause, releasing “Be A Light” featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban, with artist proceeds from the song going to benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Releif Fund. To celebrate the release and spread the positive message of the song, Rhett went live on Instagram.

The heart-filled song reminds us all how similar we are and how powerful our thoughts and actions can be, especially in tough times, with encouraging lyrics such as, "When you do somebody wrong, make it right/ Don't hide in the dark, you were born to shine/ In a world full of hate, be a light." The star-studded lineup trade verses, lines and harmonies as the song builds from a simple, acoustic strum to an epic, cinematic, uplifting anthem.

“I wrote ‘Be A Light’ last year as a way to process negativity and sadness I was seeing in the world,” Rhett said. “Now, as I sit in my home with my family on my 30th Birthday, we are in the middle of a world-wide pandemic affecting every single human on earth, all while our town of Nashville is still healing from devastating tornadoes that destroyed so much of our city less than one month ago. But, among the wreckage, I see us come together in ways I never dreamed possible. I knew in my heart this was the time to share this message with the world and our community. The voices who join me on this track are some of the brightest lights I know. I hope this song serves as a reminder that we are all in this together.”

The song's uplifting message is matched by its purpose, as Rhett and the song’s collaborators will donate all proceeds from "Be A Light" to the MusiCares COVID-19 Releif Fund. Established by the Recording Academy and its affiliated charitable foundation MusiCares, the fund helps people in the music industry affected by the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent cancellation of multiple music events. Rhett joins a growing number of artists, companies, organization and charities lending their support to the cause and the fund.

Learn More: Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

Rhett's fourth studio album, 2019's Center Point Road, earned him two No. 1 hits in "Look What God Gave Her" and "Remember You Young" on its way to being nominated for Best Country Album at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards. You can listen to "Be A Light," co-written by Rhett, Josh Miller, Josh Thompson and Matt Dragstrem, and check out its encouraging lyrics here. 

Learn more about how you can donate to or apply for assistance via the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Learn more about the financial, medical and personal emergencies services and resources offered by the Recording Academy and MusiCares.