good works
Michael Bublé will headline the City of Hope’s 2025 Spirit of Life gala on Wednesday Oct. 15. The event will be held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. As previously announced, the event will honor Tom Corson, co-chairman and COO of Warner Records, as the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry [MFEI] group’s 2025 Spirit of Life honoree.
“Like so many people, my family has been personally affected by cancer, and I know how important it is to have hope — and real answers,” Bublé said in a statement. “City of Hope is doing the work that changes lives, and I am thrilled to be part of this night honoring Tom and supporting the incredibly important groundbreaking work of this wonderful cause.”
Bublé’s oldest son was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer that primarily affects young children, in 2016. The singer canceled a planned tour to spend time with his son during chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Bublé’s son has fully recovered.
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“This is about making a difference that lasts,” Corson added. “Cancer has touched all of our lives. What City of Hope is doing — fast-tracking research, delivering leading-edge care, and supporting survivors beyond the hospital — is nothing short of extraordinary. I’m proud to stand with this community to help move it forward.”
The music industry’s relationship with City of Hope spans five decades, beginning with Mo Ostin in 1973 and echoed today by the continued support of Warner Records and the broader artistic community.
“Aside from the Grammys, there are very few nights when the entire music industry gathers in one place — and this is one of them,” said Alissa Pollack, executive vice president of global music marketing at iHeartMedia and president of City of Hope’s MFEI board. “But unlike an awards show, this night is about something bigger than all of us: saving lives. I’m incredibly grateful to Tom Corson and Michael Bublé for using their platforms to support City of Hope’s mission. Their leadership makes this moment possible — and meaningful.”
“There’s nothing more powerful than this industry using its influence to help save lives,” said Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and chair of City of Hope’s MFEI board. “What makes the Spirit of Life Celebration so special is that it reminds us why we do this — not just to make music, but to make an impact. Supporting City of Hope means we’re helping push forward the research, care and compassion that cancer patients urgently need.”
Bublé, signed to Warner’s Reprise label, has amassed four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200: Call Me Irresponsible (2007), Crazy Love (2009), Christmas (2011) and To Be Loved (2013). He has won five Grammys for best traditional pop vocal album, the second-highest tally of wins in the history of that category, topped only by the late Tony Bennett, with 14.
For more information about the Spirit of Life campaign or to get involved, contact mfeievents@coh.org.
At age 26, Laufey has already reached the pinnacle of her industry. Now, she’s looking to help other young musicians realize their dreams, too.
On Tuesday (April 29), the Grammy-winning artist, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist announced the launch of The Laufey Foundation, which will strive to make music education, specifically youth orchestra programs, accessible to young people from all different backgrounds. Laufey got her start in youth orchestra programs before receiving a Presidential Scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music.
“The support and scholarships I received as a child have directly led to the career I have now,” Laufey said in a statement. “It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to provide the next generation with the same support and opportunities. I can’t wait to connect with the young musician community!”
The foundation will award inaugural grants to the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, LA Phil’s YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) program, The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and two of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles (NYO2 and NYO Jazz). It plans to extend grants to additional orchestras globally in the years to come.
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Along with Laufey’s personal contribution to the foundation’s launch, AWAL, AEG Presents, and Steinway & Sons were announced as founding partners, while Warner Chappell, Catbird, and Gibson have come aboard as benefactor partners. Laufey will also donate a portion of the proceeds of every Mei Mei the Bunny plushie sold to the foundation.
This isn’t Laufey’s first charitable endeavor. Last year, she founded the Laufey Scholarship for Graduate Students at Syracuse University’s Bandier Music Business Master’s Program, which will provide $100,000 to international students in need of financial aid over the next 10 years. Earlier this year, she also donated to several organizations — including World Central Kitchen, Pasadena Humane Society, Altadena Girls and L.A. Regional Food Bank — that supported Los Angeles residents in the aftermath of the L.A. wildfires.
Country Music Foundation, Inc., Soulsville Foundation, International Bluegrass Music Association, Louisiana Folk Roots and the Memphis Listening Lab are among 15 organizations or individuals that were chosen to receive grants by the Grammy Museum Grant Program. A total of $200,000 in grants will be awarded this year. This year marks the 37th year of the program.
“Generously funded by the Recording Academy,” to use the Grammy Museum’s phrase, the Grammy Museum Grant Program provides funding annually to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the recorded sound heritage of the Americas for future generations, in addition to research projects related to the impact of music on the human condition.
“The Grammy Museum and Recording Academy have continued their partnership to provide fundamental funding for music research and preservation projects across the United States and Canada,” Michael Sticka, president/CEO of the Grammy Museum, said in a statement. “ … We are honored to support these remarkable projects that continue to shape the future of music, science and technology.”
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In 2008, the Grammy Museum Grant Program expanded its categories to include assistance grants for individuals and small to mid-sized organizations to aid collections held by individuals and organizations that may not have access to the expertise needed to create a preservation plan.
Here are the 2025 recipients:
Scientific Research Grantees
CERVO Brain Research Center — Quebec City, Quebec
Awarded: $20,000
Their goal is to uncover how choir singing impacts communication and auditory cognition in older adults, supporting healthy aging through a randomized training study. This project aims to inform community choirs and music-based interventions, aligning with the foundation’s mission to enhance quality of life through music.
Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital – CISSS Laval — Laval, Quebec
Awarded: $19,500
Stroke typically leads to persistent deficits in arm and hand function. This project will examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a six-week piano training intervention aimed at improving manual dexterity and the functional use of the arm and hand. For the first time, such intervention will be delivered as part of a home-based, early, and intensive rehabilitation program for individuals with stroke.
New York University — New York, N.Y.
Awarded: $9,000
Many people struggle with speech-language disorders due to developmental issues or brain injuries. Although music therapy can help these individuals regain speech functions, its effectiveness varies. By combining neuroimaging and machine learning, this study will explore how the brain can bypass damaged speech language networks by leveraging musical networks to enhance communication.
University of South Florida — Tampa, Fla.
Awarded: $9,000
This randomized trial will examine the effects of a novel woodwind program on neural responses and respiration function in adults 50+ with Long-term COVID (LTC). Adults will complete measures of cognitive processing (EEG) and respiration function (spirometer), pre- and post-10 weeks of either Nuvo jsax lessons or an attentional control task.
University of Toronto — Toronto
Awarded: $20,000
Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) uses rhythmic sound cues to help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) start and maintain stable movement. This project is the first to examine how these cues impact brain chemistry in PD, revealing the brain’s response to these cues. Their findings could improve the use of RAS as part of PD care, refining clinical applications that work alongside standard medication to support movement and enhance quality of life in PD.
Preservation Assistance Grantees
Lex Gillespie — Washington, D.C.
Awarded: $5,000
The project will preserve 75 interviews from the 10-hour Peabody Award-winning public radio series, “Whole Lotta Shakin’.” It tells the story of rockabilly, the exciting 1950s mix of blues, gospel and country that is the cornerstone of rock and roll. This diverse collection features singers, musicians, producers, DJs, and record company owners. The goal: to digitize these decaying recordings for use by scholars, content providers and the public.
Memphis Listening Lab — Memphis, Tenn.
Awarded: $5,000
Grammy Museum Preservation Assistance funding will enable the Memphis Listening Lab (MLL) to hire an expert consultant to conduct a preservation assessment of MLL’s extensive collection of recorded music. The consultant will provide MLL with a written report detailing their observations and recommendations for preserving MLL’s collection, which is freely accessible to the public.
Preservation Implementation
Country Music Foundation, Inc. — Nashville, Tenn.
Awarded: $20,000
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHFM) sought funding to assess, catalog, re-house, and make accessible a collection of 18,000 12-inch radio transcription discs containing historically significant, non-commercial recordings. This collection features interviews and performances with various country artists. Building on a successful project with 16-inch discs, CMHFM aims to begin Phase 2 of cataloging this larger collection.
Forgotten Futures Fund Inc. — Brooklyn, N.Y.
Awarded: $20,000
Louis and Bebe Barron were American electronic music pioneers. This project digitizes nearly 800 magnetic tapes. It will make available to the public, for the first time, their sci-fi, experimental and commercial sounds. The Barrons, moving in parallel to European composers of musique concrète, were DIY artists who lacked institutional support.
International Bluegrass Music Association — Nashville, Tenn.
Awarded: $20,000
The “Preserving the Legacy of Bluegrass Music” project will digitize and make accessible audio and visual materials from the 40-year history of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Recordings include industry awards show performances and speeches, special performances, conference presentations, workshops, and other IBMA events, featuring first-, second- and third-generation bluegrass musicians from 1985 to the present day.
Louisiana Folk Roots — Lafayette, La.
Awarded: $15,000
Louisiana Folk Roots (LFR) will digitize and preserve at-risk audiovisual tape recordings of Cajun and Creole heritage folk music performances and presentations that occurred from 2001-15. This LFR archival collection of analog formats is not currently available online. Following digitization, this collection can become publicly accessible in partnership with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Library and Institutional Repository.
Matthew White — Columbia, S.C.
Awarded: $10,000
Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz stands as NPR’s longest-running cultural program, airing from 1978 to 2011. Currently, those programs exist on a server at SCETV (where the show was produced), along with more than 5,000 physical documents, including McPartland’s notes, photos, sheet music, and promotional materials. This proposal is to complete the digitization of these materials and create a free website where these materials can be accessed by the public.
Painted Bride Art Center, as fiscal sponsor for Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project — Philadelphia, Pa.
Awarded: $10,000
Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project, through its fiscal sponsor Painted Bride Art Center and in partnership with Temple University Libraries, sought a Grammy Museum Grant to digitize, preserve and make available several dozen interviews with Philadelphia jazz musicians. Conducted from the early 1980s to early 2020s, the interviews document the lives and careers of both world-famous and local Philadelphia jazz musicians.
Soulsville Foundation — Memphis, Tenn.
Awarded: $12,500
Acclaimed Memphis historians have donated interviews of Memphis music legends. These unstable digital tapes represent the richest collection of Black music history interviews ever received by the Stax Museum. The interviews will allow for enhanced storytelling in future exhibitions and online presentations.
T. Christopher Aplin — Pasadena, Calif.
Awarded: $5,000
American Indian Soundchiefs was a record label owned by Kiowa Linn D. Pauahty—the earliest, longest-running label launched with an ear toward Indigenous aesthetics. This project will help Pauahtyʼs granddaughter Mary Helen Deer, the Linn D. Pauahty Foundation, and Kiowa tribe digitize surviving American Indian Soundchiefs instantaneous discs, reel-to-reels, and cassettes featuring Kiowa-language songs for cultural revitalization purposes.
Singer, actor, and mental health advocate Demi Lovato is set to perform at Caron Treatment Centers’ 31st annual New York Gala, which is set to take place April 21 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The event will benefit Caron’s Recovery for Life mission, increasing access to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment.
The Gala will also feature an opening performance by Grammy winners (and married couple) Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal and will honor three philanthropists and advocates: Dr. Angelina Lipman, Monte Lipman and Jennifer Bandier.
“Recovery is possible – and I am honored to support Caron in helping individuals reclaim their lives and embrace a brighter future,” Lovato said in a statement.
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Lovato has received four nominations – more than any other artist – in the Video for Good category at the MTV Video Music Awards. The category is designed for videos that address current social and political subjects. She won in 2012 with “Skyscraper” and was subsequently nominated for “I Love Me,” “Dancing With the Devil” and “Swine.”
Dr. Angelina Lipman, psychologist and founder of Blocking the Noise, and Monte Lipman, founder and CEO of Republic Records, will be honored with the Thomas J. Moran Caron Music Award for their ongoing philanthropic efforts and support of Caron’s mission. The Lipmans serve on the founders board of The Neil Lasher Music Fund and are actively involved in a number of charitable organizations focused on health, education, and the arts.
Dr. Lipman, a social personality psychologist and former Columbia Business School professor, brings academic depth to their shared mission—applying her research on human behavior to drive meaningful change in education and social impact.
“Supporting Caron is personal for us,” Dr. Lipman said in a statement. “The work they do touches lives in meaningful, lasting ways.”
Jennifer Bandier will receive the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence for her longtime support of Caron and her broader philanthropic impact. The award is presented annually to individuals demonstrating the care and compassion exemplified by Caron’s founders, Richard and Catherine Caron. A music industry veteran and founder of the luxury activewear brand BANDIER, Jennifer is also a dedicated mentor, advocate for women in business, and longtime Gala Steering Committee member.
“Being honored with this award is deeply meaningful to me,” Bandier said in a statement. “Caron’s work is essential, and I’m proud to support their commitment to transforming lives.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Demi Lovato and celebrate our incredible honorees,” said John Driscoll, president and CEO of Caron. “This evening reflects our shared commitment to recovery and a future filled with purpose, connection, and possibility.”
Funds raised at the Gala will provide scholarships and programmatic support for Caron’s work in New York and beyond, including outpatient services, family programming, alumni support, and prevention initiatives. Caron New York, which opened in 1996, serves as a hub for community engagement, education, and early intervention.
For tickets and sponsorships, contact caronnygala@buckleyhallevents.com or call 914-570-1000.
Caron Treatment Centers is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention and addiction medicine education. During its almost 70 years, Caron has helped thousands of individuals struggling with behavioral health issues, including substance use disorders.
Anchored by two medical centers on its Pennsylvania and Florida campuses, Caron is headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. In addition, Caron provides services in Wyomissing and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City.
Diplo, Poolside, DRAMA, Noizu, SIDEPIECE, Aluna and more are coming together to perform at Live From Los Angeles: A Fire Relief Benefit on March 16.
All proceeds from the benefit concert, which will be held from 12 p.m.-10 p.m. at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu, will be donated to MusiCares’ Fire Relief Efforts, which provides financial aid, emergency care, and mental health resources to those impacted by the L.A. wildfires. The day-long concert will also host and honor firefighters and frontline workers during the show.
Live From Los Angeles — produced by Warner Bailey, creator of Assistants vs. Agents, and James Raj, founder of Afters Club — is the latest of many fire relief efforts that highlight LA’s vibrant arts community. On January 30, just weeks after fires broke out in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, stars like Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Stevie Nicks took the stage at FireAid at The Forum and Intuit Dome.
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Then, the Recording Academy pivoted their week of programming around the Grammys to center on relief efforts for affected families, raising millions in the process. Other projects like California Picture Project, which is selling prints from top photographers now through March 9, were also launched to continue to raise money and awareness for fire victims online.
The full lineup for Live From Los Angeles includes DJ sets from Diplo, Poolside, Noizu, SIDEPIECE, DRAMA, Noizu, Night Tales, Phantoms, STARRZA, Leisan, Londen Summers, STRAWBRY and Felipe Silva. Even more artists are set to be announced.
To expand its reach to those who can’t be there in person, Live From Los Angeles will also be available via livestream for free. It will be rebroadcast for 24 hours globally through an exclusive partnership with YouTube.
For tickets and more information, visit livefromlosangeles.com.
Ty Baisden, co-founder of the creative/business partnership company COLTURE, is announcing the launch of the firm’s Empower U Grant, dedicated to uplifting and supporting women entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Kicking off this year, the annual Women’s History Month initiative will select five women-led ventures to receive $10,000 grants and 12 months of mentorship to help […]
Fostering the next generation of music creatives while also supporting relief efforts for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires were the twin themes of the Black Music Action Coalition’s BMAC x Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grants dinner/ceremony. The third annual event (Jan. 29) also doubled this year as the organization’s ReStore […]
The Recording Academy and MusiCares are partnering with Direct Relief, the California Community Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation to bolster support for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. On the Grammy telecast on Sunday (Feb. 2), attendees, viewers, music industry partners, and corporate sponsors will be encouraged to donate throughout the show, and all funds raised from the telecast will be used to support this new partnership, which will serve not only Los Angeles area music professionals, but the broader needs of others impacted in the Los Angeles community.
“In addition to raising money for music people, we are proud to add these three incredible partners who are supporting the Los Angeles region in other ways to maximize our efforts of aiding those impacted by this crisis,” Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement. “We are so grateful to these organizations for their collaboration and look forward to bringing music professionals and fans together on Sunday, Feb. 2 to help rebuild and uplift Los Angeles and its people.”
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Here’s information about each of these three partners and a quote from their chief executives:
Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a California-based humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by emergencies and poverty. Since the L.A. wildfires began, Direct Relief has provided thousands of air-purifying masks and respiratory protection gear to residents, equipped first responders, and supplied community health centers with essential medications and financial assistance to support displaced residents.
Dr. Byron Scott, CEO: “For communities devastated by the Los Angeles wildfires, the road to recovery will be long, and the need for support will not end when the flames are extinguished. Direct Relief is committed to ensuring that those affected—whether displaced families, frontline responders or healthcare providers—receive the medical care, essential supplies and ongoing support they need today and for as long as it takes to rebuild. This partnership strengthens our ability to stand with these communities in their time of greatest need.”
California Community Foundation (CCF)
CCF is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to building a stronger, more equitable Los Angeles County. Since 2003, CCF has provided critical disaster aid to communities across California to complement immediate relief and long-term recovery, ensuring the most impacted and vulnerable receive the help they need. To date, CCF has awarded more than $15 million to more than 130 local nonprofits supporting victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
Miguel Santana, president: “Our path to recovery will be long, and will require the support of all in our community. Thanks to the generosity of thousands in Los Angeles, and across the world, we have raised more than $30 million and granted out $15 million to trusted organizations that provide essential services to the most affected and the most vulnerable. Through this incredible partnership with the Recording Academy and MusiCares, we will raise critical resources that will expand our capacity to build back LA strong.”
Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF)
PCF has been supporting Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre nonprofit organizations since 1953. The foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund is focused specifically on assisting those impacted by the Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena. Since the start of the crisis, PCF has raised more than $8 million and has dispersed resources to 20 Altadena- and Pasadena-based nonprofits in its first round of funding.
Jennifer DeVoll, president & CEO: “Since 1953, Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) has been embedded in the greater Pasadena area—Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre are our core grantmaking communities. Because of that history, PCF understands the magnitude of loss in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire and has already disbursed $533,000 in relief grants through our Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund. We know Altadena in particular is a vibrant, artistic community, and we are incredibly grateful that the Recording Academy and MusiCares have chosen to partner with PCF to support local artists and all those impacted by this catastrophe.”
These partnerships amplify the efforts of MusiCares Fire Relief, which the Recording Academy and MusiCares launched soon after the wildfire crisis began to support impacted music people. All money raised will remain in the community and be used to aid those impacted.
To contribute money that will be exclusively used to support music people impacted by the Greater Los Angeles fires, visit this website.
To contribute money that will be used to support music people and others impacted by the Greater Los Angeles fires, visit here.
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards telecast will be broadcast live on Sunday (Feb. 2) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and available to stream live on Paramount+.
Before the first note is played at FireAid on Thursday (Jan. 30), more than $60 million dollars will have already been raised from ticket sales and sponsorship dollars for wildfire recovery and prevention efforts from the fires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area. Add to that the donations from viewers watching live on more than 25 streaming outlets that will be matched dollar for dollar by Steve and Connie Ballmer and the event will undoubtedly raise tens of millions of dollars more for the cause.
The Los Angeles concerts will feature Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae at the Intuit Dome, while Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, and The Black Crowes will take the stage at the Kia Forum.
The idea for the benefit, which was announced three days after the catastrophic fires that have destroyed more than 22,000 homes started on Jan. 7, was born after Shelli Azoff called Los Angeles Clippers CEO Gillian Zucker to see if they could hold a benefit at Intuit Dome, home to the Clippers. So many artists volunteered to play that the concert quickly overflowed to the Kia Forum.
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Irving Azoff, who is producing the event with his wife Shelli and his family in conjunction with Live Nation, talked to Billboard on Tuesday night as he headed to the Kia Forum to watch the two Stevies — Nicks and Wonder — rehearse. In addition to talking about the shows’ logistics, he primarily wanted to express his extreme gratitude to the Ballmers, the artists and nearly 40 sponsoring partners who have made the event possible.
It’s really remarkable how fast this has come together.
After the fires started, Shelli says we’ve got to do something. Some else says the only thing we know how to do is put on shows. Shelli calls Gillian, she offers us Intuit and it’s off to the races…So many [artists] volunteered that we knew we could do both [venues]. You don’t want to tell people no and obviously the ability to raise more money when you got two going instead of one is even greater.
At any point did you think, “Let’s move it to Sofi Stadium” or add a third location, given how many artists were eager to play?
Look, there were three pieces to this: There’s the live gate and the corporate sponsorship for the live gate, which, I’m happy to say, is already north of $60 million. The sponsorships, which Scott Sonnenberg at the Clippers organization and Dan Griffis and his team at Oak View, went out and, they’ve done just an incredible job. People just called and said, “Can I [help]”? But we also knew that this is about helping everybody and getting everybody together so everybody can begin to heal and enjoy this wonderful music to try and get everybody a bit back on track. We knew from the start we wanted to do a modern digital telethon where you text to donate. Ballmer offers the building and the Clippers organization is picking up the expenses so every single dollar of ticket money is going to the charity and with Steve and Connie matching anyone that gives money during the telethon, no, we never thought about Sofi, nor should we.
Rod Stewart was the first artist to volunteer to play, right?
Rod was first in, then Stevie Nicks called me personally and she was second in.
Were you surprised by the sheer number of artists who wanted to donate their time?
I’m not surprised because musicians are among the most caring, heartwarming, giving people in the food chain. So, no, I wasn’t surprised–delighted, but not surprised… It’s not just the money raised; we’re going to create a worldwide consciousness for what these fires really were. [Executive producer] Joel Gallen has put together [segments] with some incredible footage from KTLA of the survivors and fire people. It’s a different kind of show.
You’ve got nearly 40 sponsors. Can sponsors still come on?
We sold out earlier today. Every suite is gone, and all the sponsorships are gone. A lot of sponsors said, “Here, just take our money.” We said, “Tickets should come with that. You want to give us back the tickets for first responders and people that lost their homes?” And many of them did that. I think about 2,500 impacted first responders and homeowners or more will be in the two rooms. Many of [the sponsors] are using their suites. Everybody did what they felt was right. I would guess that for a one-night event in the music business, it’s probably the biggest sponsorship haul in history. We were talking about it today. We don’t think anybody’s come anywhere close. We get the credit for getting the ball rolling, but then the community really took over.
What role is Live Nation playing?
[Live Nation president of California Region] Geni Lincoln–like my wife and daughter Allison and many others–has been working 18 hours a day. [Live Nation CEO] Michael Rapino is an executive producer with Shelli and myself and Gillian Zucker and Joel Gallen. He’s been on calls all day and all night. We’re all out raising money. We’re all out putting it all together. Live Nation has been incredible. I’m just so proud of them and their team and what they brought to the party.
What has been the biggest challenge for you logistically?
Look, it’s rock and roll. What can go wrong will go wrong. Since we’re trying to go back and forth between the arenas most of the night for the telecast, the biggest challenge is going to be that we don’t have technical issues that delay anybody getting on the stage at the right times.
What can fans expect from the sets?
Most people are doing two to three songs. A few are doing four. After it was already on sale and [artists] are all set, then other [artists] called. Since all the slots were gone and God knows how long the show is going to be–right now it’s five-and-a-half hours–[we said], “It’s too late to add you to the bill and we don’t have a slot, but how would you like to go do XYZ with such and such an artist?” I think there’s a good half dozen really surprise moments.
In Tuesday’s New York Times article, you and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason went out of your way to say you and the Feb. 2 Grammys are not competing with each other even though the shows are only a few days apart.
We’re not in any sort of competition. They’re an award show. They’re a broadcast television show. We wanted to make this a streaming telethon, meaning a digital streaming moment, right? We didn’t do any over-the-air broadcast. Granted, we’re going to have our moments to tell the story of some of the people impacted by the fires, but this is more like a stream from a music festival. It’s not an award show. They’re two very separate things. I’m on the board of [Recording Academy charity] MusiCares and I hope our board will see fit to give some of the money that we’re making to MusiCares.
How did you pick the date?
We looked at other dates. Remember, our show because we’re trying to solicit donations from consumers– unfortunately, people don’t have a big, long attention span–you want to get up while the fires are still fresh in everybody’s mind. It was kind of guesswork as to when the weather was going to turn and they were going to get control of the fires. We couldn’t go next week because it’s the Super Bowl and we didn’t want to go anywhere near Super Bowl week. And the following week we didn’t have building availability. We didn’t try to go, “Oh, let’s go Grammy week.” Nearly all of the people that are involved either live in LA or have an LA connection, so it wasn’t, “Oh, everybody’s in town for the Grammys. It’s easy to book.” Most of the people would have been here three weeks from now that are here now, so it’s just the way it fell in place.
Was there any thought of going on a broadcast outlet or was it always streaming?
When it became obvious that we were going to do 27 performers, there was no way. You’re not going to put a five-and-a-half hour show on broadcast television.
You’ve already raised more than $60 million. What do you hope the total will be?
We’re already grateful for what we have. I mean, there’s never been a fundraising effort on streamers like this, so I can’t even begin to think about… we’re going to be happy whatever it is. It’s kind of new territory. The outpouring is historic, but, unfortunately, so are the fires.
Audiences can tune into FireAid on a number of platforms, including iApple Music, AppleTV, DIRECTV, MyFree DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, Disney+/Hulu, FanDuel, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Max, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix/Tudum.com, Paramount+/Pluto TV, Peacock/NBC News Now, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM’s “LIFE with John Mayer” channel, SoundCloud, TikTok, Veeps, X, and YouTube. Some outlets are also making donations, including DirectTV, which announced it was donating $1 million to FireAid.
Additionally, several AMC Theater and Regal Cinemas will host screenings of the event, which can also be heard on iHeartRadio’s more than 860 radio stations, digital platforms and iHeartRadio app.
Sponsoring partners include Kaiser Permanente, Live Nation, Scopely, American Express, AT&T, Capital Group, Netflix, Snap Inc., U.S. Bank, UBS, Venmo, and Visa Foundation. Gold Partners are DIRECTV, Goldman Sachs, Intuit, Starbucks, YouTube, and the Verizon Foundation.CalHOPE, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, JPMorganChase, Salesforce, Schuman Family Foundation, SiriusXM, Sony Honda Mobility, Spotify and TikTok.
For donations and concert information, go to FireAidLA.org or @FireAidLA.
Ten-time ASCAP songwriter of the year Ashley Gorley is donating royalties from the Billboard Country Airplay chart-topping hit “I Am Not Okay,” written by Gorley with co-writers Taylor Phillips and Casey Brown, and recorded by Jelly Roll, to help aid mental health initiatives for those in the songwriting community.
Gorley, who is also known for writing No. 1 hits including the Morgan Wallen/Post Malone 16-week Hot 100 chart-topping “I Had Some Help” and other hits recorded by Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini and more, is commemorating the success of “I Am Not Okay” by supporting the launch of a program by The Onsite Foundation, aimed at helping the creative community. The Creatives Support Network will provide free mentorship, education, resources and mental wellness support specifically created to help members of the songwriting community.
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“A song about struggling to get out of bed in the morning is No. 1 and that really speaks to where we are in the world,” Gorley said in a statement. “It was important for us to take this moment to say ‘you’re not the only one,’ and to support a creative network with programming that is tailored to songwriters at any stage of their journey.”
Songwriter-focused intensives are a key part of the program, including two-day immersive, individual or group coaching and therapy sessions designed for creatives. The program also includes mentorship, social impact initiatives and online curriculum and conversation resources complimentary to the creative community, thanks to Gorley giving 80 grants for 80 individuals, in addition to program infrastructure support.
“This song in particular, along with the Jelly Roll Era, is creating a movement and timely conversation regarding the need to equip creatives with necessary tools to optimize their personal and professional pursuits,” Onsite’s Miles Adcox said in a statement. “I’ve been at the intersection of Music and Mental Wellness for the better part of my career and have experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing today’s creatives. Music is medicine, and the comfort, relief, support, and overall impact it provides globally to humanity is immeasurable. Our storytellers are a national treasure we should pour into and protect at all costs. We’re grateful to Ashley, Jelly Roll, and the Tape Room writers for starting this conversation in the songwriting community and for lending their expertise and resources.”
The Jelly Roll hit “I Am Not Okay” offers an honest portrayal of the struggles many face with mental health issues. The song is from Jelly Roll’s recent Billboard 200-topping album Beautifully Broken.
Among Gorley’s recent accolades are ACM songwriter and song of the year for the Cole Swindell hit “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” and ASCAP’s country song of the year with Wallen’s “You Proof.” Gorley was also honored as NSAI’s Songwriter of the Decade for 2010-2019.
In 2011, Gorley, a Belmont University graduate, also formed his own publishing company, Tape Room Music, with a roster that includes his “I Am Not Okay” co-writers Brown and Phillips.