Michael McDonald

Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Interview

Michael McDonald On His Amazing Journey From MusiCares Client To Chair

Mick Management founder discusses his recent appointment as Chair, his key to MusiCares' future and his excitement over Fleetwood Mac's Person of the Year tribute

Tim McPhate

MusiCares

Nov 30, 2017 - 10:17 am

If anyone can testify to the powerful transformative nature of MusiCares, it's Mick Management founder Michael McDonald. After all, he's not only witnessed the positive energy as the organization's Board Chair but as someone with first-hand experience.

"I was introduced to MusiCares as a client. About 18 years ago, I decided I needed to get sober," says McDonald. "[I was] referred to someone at MusiCares, Neil Lasher. He connected me with free group therapy [and addiction counseling] twice a week here in New York City. ... There was no paperwork, no nothing (laughs). It was that simple."

As McDonald's career path has progressed from selling T-shirts and tour managing Dave Matthews Band to an artist manager, his relationship with MusiCares graduated to an opportunity to serve the organization in an official capacity.

"Three years ago, I was asked to interview to be on the board. And I was honored and flattered and at that point saw the full-circle nature of my relationship with MusiCares," he says. "There's no better gift that you can give than help to somebody who needs it."

Elected Chair this past August, McDonald is fortunate to build on some strong organizational momentum. In 2017 MusiCares projected helping more than 7,500 people this year with at least $5.5 million in aid. The annual Person of the Year gala honoring the late Tom Petty raised a record $8.5 million. However, McDonald is looking to find new ways to raise awareness for MusiCares' programs and services.

Watch: Tom Petty's 2017 MusiCares speech

"One of my goals is to bring MusiCares to more markets and to younger people in the business," he says "For a lot of younger people in the industry, MusiCares is that thing that they organize for their bosses to go to around the GRAMMYs."

As a result, McDonald has cultivated ambassador programs in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville with affordable events focusing on engaging younger music professionals. He hopes the concept will serve as a grass-roots catalyst to grow the next generation of MusiCares supporters and spread the organization's mission.

"In addition to the ambassadors, there’s a strong, strong network to go to when we want to have an event," says McDonald. "They may not have the bandwidth to get involved in the planning of the event, but are happy to spread the word and have their companies support it. If all anyone does is send an invitation to 30 new contacts and half of those people come, that's a success.

"I really want MusiCares to be more at the forefront of people's minds because it's such a beautiful program and such a simple concept. ... If someone breaks their arm or slips and falls or has laryngitis and can't sing, or for instrument replacement from all the hurricane damage in Texas and Florida and Puerto Rico, we can do so many things and impact so many people. The more people in the business that know about it, that have the means to help, the better."

Helping others — artists, in the case of his day job — is a big part of McDonald's livelihood. He founded Mick Management in 2000 and today oversees a stable of artists that includes the likes of Ray LaMontagne, Leon Bridges, John Batiste, Maggie Rogers, Walk The Moon, and Of Monsters And Men.

Through managing artists such as John Mayer and his experience on the road with Dave Matthews Band, McDonald earned a "Ph.D." in artist development, which serves him and his clientele well in the face of today's fast-paced industry.

"The most challenging aspect is really keeping up with innovation and trying to separate the signal from the noise. There's a ton of digital noise out there," says McDonald. "The number of things that change from month to month is remarkable. It's a really exciting time to be in the business. It's just a challenge to stay up with innovation and that's where it's incumbent on us as artist managers to do that, and lead the way."

As the 60th GRAMMY Awards approach, it's also an exciting time for the Recording Academy. And McDonald is particularly looking forward to GRAMMY Week in the Big Apple, including Fleetwood Mac's impending 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year honor.

"We are gonna make it tough to bring the GRAMMYs back to L.A. (laughs)," jokes the New York-based McDonald. "Everyone from the mayor's office to the ambassadors to all the members of the Board that are New York-based could not be happier and are pushing to make it a huge success. I think Fleetwood Mac is going to be fantastic and Radio City is going to be an exciting venue to have the event at."

And when McDonald takes the podium at Person of the Year, he will represent the leadership of the organization and the thousands of clients who have been served by MusiCares.

"I can tell the story from a personal perspective that's real simple: I was an alcohol and cocaine addict and I needed help. I didn't have the money to pay for therapy and MusiCares paid for my therapy. MusiCares got me sober and helped keep me sober. And now I have the good fortune to be the Chairman of the organization. That's oftentimes more helpful than statistics and PowerPoints."

First Performers Announced For Fleetwood Mac Person Of The Year Tribute

Tamara Hrivnak

Interview

Tamara Hrivnak: Facebook Exec Talks MusiCares, Mentors & '80s Music

Facebook's head of music business development and partnerships identifies who brought her into the MusiCares fold and how tech companies can help increase awareness for the Recording Academy charity

Tim McPhate

MusiCares

Jan 12, 2018 - 11:29 am

Tim McPhate

In many ways, MusiCares relies on word of mouth in terms of reaching clients. Along those lines, sometimes it's word of mouth that can be a catalyst in attracting potential Board of Directors representatives. At least, that's the story for Tamara Hrivnak, Facebook's head of music business development and partnerships.

"My dear friend Susan Genco, a former fellow Board member [and president of Azoff MSG Entertainment], shared the important and impactful work that MusiCares does for music people in need," says Hrivnak. "I was immediately drawn to MusiCares' mission."

A self-professed "child of the '80s," Hrivnak's connection with the power of music goes back to her childhood.

"As a kid growing up in Canada, we worshipped the Tragically Hip. 'Fiddler's Green' takes me back to Toronto and Kingston and a deep love of Canadian music," she says. "Everything Madonna and Cyndi Lauper beckons the '80s, sisterhood and being bold and unique — like 'Express Yourself.'"

Hrivnak's affinity for music is something that has shadowed her career journey. She got her start as a corporate lawyer focusing on technology transactions and intellectual property with New York firms Shearman & Sterling and Morrison & Foerster. She soon gravitated to all of the dynamic change and complexity in music and copyright.

"I found my way to working with and advising the Harry Fox Agency, the NMPA, EMI Publishing, and Warner Music in digital deal-making, among others, and I've never looked back."

Of course, behind a successful executive there typically is a story of a person who played a key role in helping to shape their career. Hrivnak cites former Warner/Chappell Music CEO David Johnson as one of her "special" mentors.

"He placed a big bet on me early in my career. He helped me to see a path for cranking in my professional life and being a devoted working mom," says Hrivnak. [David] is the single best teacher on negotiation strategy. He taught me that bringing humanity and goodness into the workplace is a baseline and that courageous bets and risk of failure are necessary in order to succeed."

In January 2017, Hrivnak embarked on a new chapter in her career in joining Facebook, where she spearheads commercial relationships with labels, music publishers and societies around the globe.

"Facebook is all about making the world more open and connected — music can play an important role," she says. "We're at the very beginning of that journey and we're excited to expand upon our relationship with artists, labels, writers, music publishers, and other key industry stakeholders.

"In my time here, I've built a team of leading music veterans to partner more deeply with the music industry. We have created first of kind commercial partnerships with major players in the music industry, such as our recently announced worldwide deal with Universal Music and another with Sony/ATV.

"I'm incredibly grateful to have amazingly talented leaders join Facebook's mission in music — foundational team members include Michael King, who leads global label business development; Anjali Southward, who leads international music publishing business development; and Scott Sellwood, who leads commercial music publishing partnerships. The common denominator among our music leadership team is a deep love of music, compassion and experience in building innovative music partnerships."

As a member of MusiCares' Board, Hrivnak believes that there is a strategic opportunity for tech companies, in particular, to play an integral role in spreading the charity's mission.

"As technology companies like Facebook continue to grow and foster their relationship with the music community, we have an opportunity to help MusiCares grow awareness and support in new markets," she says. "This also extends to MusiCares reaching new communities on our platforms. I'm committed to bringing technology and music closer together and my support of MusiCares is an important part of that effort.

"Organic donate tools on Facebook and other platforms to connect people and artists is a great way to expand MusiCares’ reach."

With GRAMMY Week only days away, the focus for MusiCares turns to its 2018 Person of the Year gala honoring Fleetwood Mac. Hrivnak is especially looking forward to the festivities in the Big Apple.

"It is such a special year for the GRAMMYs and MusiCares — bringing the GRAMMYs and Person of the Year to New York after15 years is exciting," says Hrivnak. "My favorite part of GRAMMY week each year is celebrating standout music, artists and writers, as well as the power of music, the community of music as a whole. Person of the Year is a key part of that celebration."

MusiCares: The Music Community's Safety Net All Year Long

Tom Petty

Photo: Michael Kovac/WireImage.com

List

Who Are All The MusiCares Person Of The Year Recipients?

Take a look at the entire roster of 28 MusiCares Person of the Year honorees and learn about their philanthropic activities

Renée Fabian

MusiCares

Dec 22, 2017 - 9:22 am

Since its inception in 1989, MusiCares has provided a safety net for music people in times of need, including resources and services covering a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies.

In order to support these life-saving programs, MusiCares created their signature gala, Person of the Year, in 1991 when they honored David Crosby in New York prior to the 33rd GRAMMY Awards.

Hosted each year during GRAMMY Week, the Person of the Year gala has continued to grow in size and prominence, while the theme has remained constant: to honor an artist who has not only made lasting contributions to the music world but who has also demonstrated extraordinary humanitarian and philanthropic efforts.

It's also doubled as an important reminder of the critical work that MusiCares undertakes year-round, oftentimes with the honorees themselves providing compelling testimonials.

"I'm proud to be here tonight for MusiCares. I think a lot of this organization. They've helped many people," Bob Dylan said during his Person of the Year acceptance speech in 2015. "I'd like to personally thank them for what they did for a friend of mine, Billy Lee Riley. … MusiCares paid for my friend's doctor bills, mortgage and gave him spending money. They were able to at least make his life comfortable, tolerable to the end. That is something that can't be repaid. Any organization that would do that would have to have my blessing."

You already know their music accomplishments, so let's take a focused look at the generous giving that helped gain these 28 esteemed artists the honor of MusiCares Person of the Year.

Fleetwood Mac, 2018

The first band to receive the honor, Fleetwood Mac — Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks — have supported numerous causes both together and individually. Organizations supported include the Elton John AIDS Foundation, U.K. music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins, the Red Cross, Starkey Hearing Foundation, and the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

Tom Petty, 2017

Watch: Tom Petty's 2017 MusiCares speech

Leaving his mark on the world of giving, the late Petty supported a variety of causes throughout the years. This included Los Angeles-based program for the homeless Midnight Mission, for which Petty played numerous benefit concerts. He was honored with the organization's Golden Heart Award in 2011. He also supported Safety Harbor Kids, which helps orphan, foster and homeless children, environmental organization Rock the Earth, and the Special Olympics.

Lionel Richie, 2016

Richie's philanthropic contributions span anti-poverty and anti-human trafficking initiatives, fighting famine, and support for HIV/AIDS research and women's issues. Most notably, he co-wrote "We Are The World" with Michael Jackson in 1985, the proceeds of which went to famine relief through USA For Africa. Other organizations he has championed include the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, Unicef, and the Art of Elysium.

Bob Dylan, 2015

Dylan has quietly donated to causes such as Amnesty International, City of Hope, End Hunger Network, and K9 Connection across his career. He performed during George Harrison's Album Of The Year-winning The Concert For Bangladesh in 1971 to benefit relief efforts for East Pakistan refugees. In 2009 he donated all the royalties from his best-selling Christmas album, Christmas In The Heart, to Feeding America.

Carole King, 2014

King tirelessly works to give back. She raised more than $1.5 million with fellow Person of the Year honoree James Taylor for environmental causes during their 2010 Troubadour Reunion tour. In 2016 she lent her voice to a reimagining of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" to benefit victims of the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting. She's also been an ardent supporter of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Museum.

Bruce Springsteen, 2013

The all-American singer/songwriter has taken on a variety of causes across his career. This includes the Thrill Hill Foundation, which he founded in 1987 to provide grants for AIDS and medical research, food services, and youth programs. He has worked with Stand Up for Heroes, which provides support to veterans, and regularly contributes to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Paul McCartney, 2012

The former Beatles member has supported more than 40 charities in his career, spanning issues such as disaster relief, animal rights, hunger, and more. McCartney had a hand in organizing the Concert for New York City in 2001, which raised more than $36 million through the Robin Hood Foundation for families of victims who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In 2012 he headlined the 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief, another benefit concert hosted by the Robin Hood Foundation.

Barbra Streisand, 2011

Founded in 1986, The Streisand Foundation has provided grants to a number of organizations over the years, awarding more than $25 million to more than 800 groups. More recently, Union of Concerned Scientists, Brennan Center for Justice, Planned Parenthood, and Mother Jones, among others, received noteworthy grants from the legendary singer's foundation.

Neil Young, 2010

Young has a long history of giving back, including co-founding Farm Aid and participating in the organization's annual concert series to raise funds for family farms in the U.S. Since 1986, he and his ex-wife, Pegi, organized and hosted the all-acoustic Bridge School Benefit Concert, which supports the Bridge School he helped found to support children through augmentative and alternative means of communication.

Neil Diamond, 2009

With a career's worth of charity efforts spanning three decades, Diamond's initiatives have included donating proceeds from tour program books at concerts to various charities, giving royalties from his 1969 hit "Sweet Caroline" to organizations benefitting the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, raising $1.7 million to help rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Ike on Oak Island, Texas, in 2008, and performing at the 2010 Stand Up To Cancer telecast.

Aretha Franklin, 2008

Franklin contributes regularly to the United Negro College Fund and was the first woman to receive their Award of Excellence in 2007. She has also contributed to Easter Seal, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Feeding America, Sting's Rainforest Foundation, and to food banks in her local Detroit area.

Don Henley, 2007

Eagles band member Henley is a co-founder of the Recording Artists' Coalition, now part of the Recording Academy's Advocacy office. To honor the literature and legacy of Henry David Thoreau, Henley also founded the Walden Woods Project in 1990, and established the Caddo Lake Institute in 1993 to fund and promote the vast wetland areas of East Texas.

James Taylor, 2006

Taylor performed at No Nukes, the anti-nuclear power benefit concert in 1979. He has donated proceeds from his ticket sales to causes such as the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, which works toward land conservation and environmental advocacy. In 2017 Taylor donated used guitar strings to be recycled into jewelry benefitting Tuberville, a non-profit that helps build stronger communities through potatoes, and headlined a Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis benefit.

Brian Wilson, 2005

Wilson's philanthropic efforts have focused on the Carl Wilson Foundation to help fund cancer research, founded in 1999 on behalf of his late brother Carl, who was also a member of the Beach Boys. He also partnered with the Campaign to Change Direction in 2015, which promotes mental health awareness. He performed at Live Aid in 1985 and the 20th-anniversary companion, Live 8, making him one of the few artists to perform at both benefit concerts.

Sting, 2004

Over the years, Sting has been a passionate supporter of Amnesty International, which advocates for human rights worldwide. In 1989 he and wife Trudie Styler started the Rainforest Foundation International to promote global awareness of the need to conserve tropical rain forests and to support forests' indigenous peoples.

Bono, 2003

U2's Bono is a co-founder of the global campaign and advocacy organization ONE, which takes action to end extreme poverty by lobbying world leaders. For example, in 2003 he helped lobby for overseas aid to Africa, which resulted in a promise from former President George W. Bush to increase aid by an extra $5 billion a year for poor countries.

Billy Joel, 2002

In 1978 Joel founded Charity Begins At Home with the mission to fund nonprofit agencies in need in the Tri-State area. In 2007 more than $400,000 was distributed to 80 nonprofit agencies that provide care for those afflicted by child abuse, autism, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's disease, emotional disabilities, and cancer. He has given to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Rainforest Foundation and provided funding for an arts scholarship for students in need in Long Island, as well as advocacy to preserve his current hometown of Oyster Bay, N.Y.

Paul Simon, 2001

In 1987 Simon, along with pediatrician/child advocate Irwin Redlener, founded the Children's Health Fund, which provides comprehensive health care to medically underserved children in the United States by developing and supporting innovative primary care medical programs. Simon has also raised funds for worthy causes such as amFAR, Autism Speaks and the Nature Conservancy.

Elton John, 2000

John established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 to support innovative HIV prevention programs, eliminate discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS, provide care and support services for people living with the disease, and to eradicate HIV/AIDS completely. The U.S. and U.K. branches of the organization have jointly raised more than $385 million for projects in 55 countries around the world.

Stevie Wonder, 1999

Wonder was one of the strong proponents behind making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday, which former President Ronald Reagan signed into law in 1983. In 1985 Wonder participated in the recording of "We Are The World" to raise funds to end hunger through USA For Africa. Wonder has also earned recognition for his work with the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Children's Diabetes Foundation and Junior Blind of America. He provides toys for children and families in need with his annual House Full of Toys benefit concert.

Luciano Pavarotti, 1998

In 1992 Pavarotti created Pavarotti & Friends, a series of charity concerts that brought together a diverse group of artists to benefit medical, vocational and education initiatives in Bosnia, Cambodia, Kosovo, Guatemala, Liberia, and Tibet, and for Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan, Angola, Zambia, and Iraq. The concert ran almost yearly through 2003, and included performers such as Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, and B.B. King, among others.

Phil Collins, 1997

Collins supported Live Aid in 1985 for Ethiopian famine relief by playing both in the U.S. and abroad. He founded the Little Dreams Foundation in 2000 with his now ex-wife Orianne to support young talents in both the arts and sports. He is also an advocate for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Quincy Jones, 1996

Jones was one of the architects, along with Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, behind USA For Africa's We Are The World benefit concert and album in 1985, which has raised more than $63 million for Ethiopian famine relief. Through the Quincy Jones Foundation, the GRAMMY winner raises awareness and resources for global initiatives that support conflict resolution, malaria eradication, clean water, and efforts to restore the Gulf Coast.

Tony Bennett, 1995

In 2001 Bennett established the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, a New York public high school offering an extensive arts curriculum. He and his wife, Susan Benedetto, expanded on this initiative by founding Exploring the Arts in 1999, which works to provide an arts education to students in New York and Los Angeles. The United Nations presented Bennett with its Humanitarian Award in 2007.

Gloria Estefan, 1994

Estefan established the Gloria Estefan Foundation in 1997, which promotes health, education and cultural development. The foundation has made donations to the American Red Cross, Save The Children and UNICEF, among others. Each year the foundation also donates to no-kill shelters throughout the U.S. Estefan was feted as the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, making her the first artist to receive both Person of the Year honors.

Natalie Cole, 1993

After beating addiction early in her career, Cole learned in 2009 she would need a kidney transplant as a result of an addiction-related complication. Following her kidney transplant, Cole became a spokesperson for the University Kidney Research Organization. The late GRAMMY winner also supported charity events benefitting multiple sclerosis and teamed with Aloe Blacc in 2015 to sing at the annual Songs of Hope charity benefit with proceeds benefitting the independent cancer research institution City of Hope.

Bonnie Raitt, 1992

Social activism has always been part of Raitt's career. She co-founded Musicians United for Safe Energy and performed at the No Nukes benefit concert in 1979. She's also a founding member of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which works to advocate for early generation R&B artists. Recently, she partnered with the Guacamole Fund to donate a portion of her tour proceeds to benefit local organizations that work toward safe and sustainable energy, environmental protection, and peace.

David Crosby, 1991

The inaugural Person of the Year honoree, Crosby was chosen for his philanthropic efforts for Farm Aid. He performed at the annual Farm Aid in 1990 and 2000 in support of the organization's mission of raising awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep families on their land.

2018 MusiCares Person Of The Year: Fleetwood Mac

Kevin Lyman

Photo: Courtesy 4 Fini, Inc.

Interview

Warped Tour Founder Kevin Lyman On MusiCares, FEND, Sublime's Bradley Nowell

The Warped Tour founder shares the reasons behind his career-long partnership with MusiCares and how he'll continue his addiction recovery work through the FEND movement

Brian Haack

MusiCares

Apr 30, 2018 - 4:56 pm

As founder/owner and CEO of 4 Fini Inc., Kevin Lyman has helped shape youth culture for nearly 40 years thanks to most notably his flagship touring package festival Vans Warped Tour.

Dave Navarro's Powerful Message Of Hope

Warped Tour started in 1995 as a touring music festival and has grown into not only the largest but the longest-running touring festival in America. Its focus on punk rock in conjunction with corporate sponsors, such as its namesake Vans, has brought artists such as No Doubt, Weezer, Green Day, and August Burns Red, among others, straight to fans during its run, which Lyman announced would conclude at the end of the 2018 season.

Not only has founder Lyman had a hand in curating generations of music across the country, but Warped Tour has become a beacon for recovery with artists such as rapper Kosha Dillz finding their way to sobriety thanks to the iconic festival. This isn't an accident, and Lyman's connection to organizations benefitting the well-being of musicians is evident through his work with the Recording Academy-affiliated health and human services charity, MusiCares.

Early on in the history of the Warped Tour, Lyman began leveraging the power of his festival to help direct donations toward the philanthropic efforts of MusiCares, pledging a quarter of every ticket sold, holding auctions of iconic memorabilia and also hosting an annual golf tournament to benefit the organization.

In the years since, Lyman has gone on to serve on the MusiCares Board of Directors. In 2011 he was honored alongside Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode at the annual MusiCares Concert For Recovery benefit concert, where Lyman was presented with the MusiCares From The Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.

"I have always had a philanthropic side to all my ventures," Lyman explains of his decision to partner with MusiCares. "More and more I saw that artists and crew members of mine were dealing with medical needs or emergencies, and then I learned more about the Recording Academy … so I figured that it was great to get involved with an organization like MusiCares.

"They've done a lot for our artists," Lyman adds, detailing the helpful efforts the organization has undertaken to help artists and crew better protect their hearing and have the opportunities for more consistent dental treatment, which can often fall by the wayside while out on tour. "I felt MusiCares needed to get more younger people supporting it, and I was able to help."

MusiCares assists music people in need with more than just medical expenses, however. The addiction recovery and sobriety management assistance that the organization helps provide can be a crucial lifeline for music people working the steps toward recovery.

"I wish I'd had more resources back in '95. Maybe some of these artists we didn't save could have been saved." — Kevin Lyman

For someone so heavily involved in music, touring and festivals for such a large part of his life, Lyman can point to his early experiences working clubs and venues in Los Angeles, and then his inaugural year with Warped Tour as having had a formational influence on his outlook on drugs, alcohol and addiction recovery.

"When I first started the Warped Tour in 1995, Sublime was on that tour. Brad Nowell was addicted. Maybe that's why I work so hard at it now — he passed away right after the first Warped Tour," Lyman said. "I wish I'd had the knowledge that I have now, or the resources back then, to maybe have been able to help him. I don't know if we could have, but I think now that we travel with someone like [sober living coach] Mike Farr … we can have some early intervention and early help for these people."

For artists and fans tied to the Warped Tour scene, Lyman challenges some elements of mainstream society's skewed perception of the punk or alternative circles — especially in their early days — as openly embracing drugs, alcohol and other forms of self-destruction as an act of rebellion.

"There were just as many people trying to be sober, and there was also the straight-edge movement in punk rock," Lyman points out. "We had no more or less issues than the music industry as a whole. … There were a lot of resources, [but] our scene was probably a little too prideful to ask."

Lyman's work in addiction recovery isn't done yet either. He's switching gears to one of the prevalent issues affecting the modern-day scene and the entire music industry — opioid addiction — through a project called FEND.

The FEND movement — Free Energy No Drugs — is an organization working to address the worsening opioid addiction epidemic that has swept our country, with overdoses now responsible for as many annual deaths as guns in the U.S., according to FEND's website.

"We are using the Warped Tour as a model," Lyman explains about the new initiative, "hopefully to be able to use it as a white label for all genres of music, all forms of entertainment, sports, all those things.

"I think that [comes from] my association with MusiCares. It's opened my eyes that there is still a lot more that we can all be doing."

James Higa Talks MusiCares, Concert For Recovery, Steve Jobs & Philanthropy

James Higa

Photo: Chris Michel

Interview

James Higa Talks MusiCares, Concert For Recovery, Steve Jobs & Philanthropy

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation executive on life lessons at Stanford, why the power of MusiCares' lifesaving work is undeniable and what he learned from Apple's mastermind

Tim McPhate

MusiCares

Apr 5, 2018 - 8:19 am

As executive director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, James Higa brings a sharp intellect, generous heart and an eye for philanthropy to his position as Secretary/Treasurer of the MusiCares Board of Directors, the group that helps chart the future course for the Recording Academy's health and human services charity.

Dave Navarro's Powerful Message Of Hope

A "Cardinal," Higa studied political science at Stanford University. It was at Stanford where he learned the importance of "a huge dose of humility," among other life lessons that came into focus.

"I learned pretty quickly that there are a lot of much smarter people in the world and a lot of things you don't know, so ask for help," says Higa, who added that photography is how he paid his way through school, specifically sports and product photography.

"Stanford was an amazingly interdisciplinary environment. I was able to seamlessly intermingle not just with students in my major but with computer programmers, electrical engineers, biochemists, philosophers, and the like. I learned that innovation happens at the edge of unreasonableness and that you must have the curiosity to venture forth to the outer edges beyond your areas of interests and poke around."

This educational experience proved to be the perfect building ground for Higa's work with Apple. He first joined the innovative company in the mid-'80s, playing a key role in setting up its business in Japan. Higa departed in 1989 to join Steve Jobs' second computer company, NeXT, only to return to Apple in 2001 — the same year the groundbreaking iPod was unveiled.

"I would describe my role [at Apple] as 'Special Ops,'" says Higa. "I think of it as the lone scout out in the wilderness looking for the Northwest Passage. When I do find a passage like iTunes, for example, the railroad and the towns come in and entire cities get built. I don't care for towns so I move on to the next wilderness."

It was during his sophomore turn at Apple when Higa "scouted" the work of MusiCares.

"I had gotten to know the vital services of MusiCares through my work in launching iTunes at Apple," he says. "MusiCares is such an important part of the fabric of the music industry that you can't help but hear about it. [Deputy General Counsel for the Recording Academy] Bobby Rosenbloum at the fabled entertainment law practice Greenberg Traurig reached out to me about serving on the board."

A true music lover with unabashed tastes ranging from Eminem, Rimi Natsukawa and Louis Armstrong to Ellie Goulding, Andra Day and Beethoven, Higa is steadfast in his belief that MusiCares is a vital component of the music industry.

"Music is what makes us human. We had music when the first cave women stepped out of the darkness and started pounding on a log. We will have music 300 years from now when we have colonized Mars," says Higa. "We have to support the artists, creators, and all people in the industry that bring forth music into the world.

"I firmly believe that the safety net of critical assistance for music people in their times of need and human services that MusiCares provide that directly impact the welfare of our community is essential to keeping the spirit of music vibrant and alive."

While the lifeblood of MusiCares flows through its dedicated staff team and elected leadership, Higa is quick to praise the artist community for their selfless support and programs such as the House Concert series as evidence of win-wins for the organization.

"Many of our Board members help plan and put on private House Concerts that benefit MusiCares," says Higa. "You can enjoy the performance of an artist who generously donates their time in a very intimate setting like someone's home with the proceeds going to benefit our programs. Sheryl Crow and Ed Sheeran, as examples, have recently performed at a House Concert."

Through his service, Higa has gained a front-row view into how MusiCares helps to positively transform clients' lives. One particularly riveting story comes to mind when asked about an example.

"A friend of Brett's called MusiCares a few years before Brett had the strength to do so himself," recalls Higa. "He was struggling with a devastating heroin addiction and most of his friends and family had given up on him. He lost his publishing deal and was close to living on the streets. He contacted his friend, asking for MusiCares number.

"MusiCares got Brett into treatment immediately and Brett attended MusiCares weekly aftercare groups after he completed his inpatient stay. Brett has now been sober for over 10 years and he recently celebrated his second number one hit over the course of a year."

MusiCares: The Music Community's Safety Net All Year Long

In addition to helping clients and on-the-road staples such as the Safe Harbor Room program, Higa is especially proud of how the organization is quick to help the music community rebound from dire tragedies.

"This past year was sadly one full of devastating disasters," he says. "We mobilized quickly to provide support to members of the music community affected by the wildfires in Northern and Southern California as well as establish a relief fund to support those affected by the devastation of the recent hurricanes. We also extended our services to offer trauma support for those affected by the tragic Las Vegas shooting."

"I learned that innovation happens at the edge of unreasonableness and that you must have the curiosity to venture forth to the outer edges beyond your areas of interests and poke around." — James Higa

Coming up, Higa has the Concert For Recovery in May circled on his calendar. He's looking forward to the event that will raise more funds for MusiCares' addiction recovery services while recognizing Pearl Jam's Mike McCready with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award. And don't forget the performances.

"We want to raise the awareness, as Mike says best, that, 'Recovery is a journey that you take each day,' and that 'we can come together to help those in need,'" says Higa. "There will be amazing performances by Barrett Martin, Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan and Slash, Mike Ness, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, and Nancy Wilson of Heart fame — thanks to our Board member Steve Boom and Amazon Music's generous sponsorship."

Speaking of generosity, Higa left Apple in 2012 to helm Philanthropic Ventures Foundation. The Oakland-based foundation shares a like-minded give-back approach in acting as "a model for the philanthropic community, demonstrating new concepts in giving and disseminating this information to colleagues across the country and abroad."

"We practice seed stage philanthropy," says Higa. "We want to be the first to find and the first to fund innovative ideas and inspiring leaders in our communities. Find 'em and fund 'em as we like to say. It could be hunger, safety net, education, etc. — we are not constrained by the 'space' you are in."

Interestingly, the foundation's grant cycle is certainly not limited to typical lengthy periods, as Higa points out it "is an unheard of anti-bureaucratic average of 48 hours."

Higa's current focus on his work with PVF and his service to MusiCares is bound by the unmistakable power of his yes-we-can philosophy. He has a special mentor from his time with Apple to thank for helping to instill this belief system.

"Steve Jobs — we'll not see the likes of him for a millennium. He showed me that great teams can push against the universe and make a dent. With clarity, vision, focus, and relentless execution, you can go where all others say 'no', and bring a 'yes' into being."