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Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and several more stars have joined the lineup for FireAid, an upcoming benefit concert at the Intuit Dome supporting victims of the ongoing wildfire crisis that has devastated the Los Angeles area. As reported Thursday (Jan. 16) by The Hollywood Reporter, the “Bad Guy” singer and Joker: Folie a Deux actress […]
Doja Cat has partnered with Red Cross and an artist to sell a collection of clothes to aid those affected by the wildfires, and Snoop Dogg is thinking of doing a concert to help victims. Keep watching to learn more about how artists are helping. Tetris Kelly:Doja Cat and Snoop are showing their support for […]
More performers have been confirmed for Donald Trump‘s fast-approaching inauguration ceremony, including Kid Rock, Jason Aldean and more, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.
The publications reported Wednesday (Jan. 15) that the two musicians — both of whom have been outspoken in their support of the president elect throughout his political career — will join a lineup of performances spread out across inauguration weekend Jan. 18-20, which will also see Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, Parker McCollum and Gavin DeGraw taking the stage at different points. Previously confirmed performers include Carrie Underwood, the Rascal Flatts and Village People.
According to THR, Kid Rock, the “Achy Breaky Heart” country star, Greenwood and the “Y.M.C.A” group will be among the first acts to perform this weekend, with all four marked down for the Make America Great Again Victory Rally at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., Sunday (Jan. 19). Liberty University’s Praise Choir is also scheduled for the event, at which Trump is expected to deliver remarks.
The following day will see the twice-impeached mogul-turned-politician officially stepping back into power at his swearing-in ceremony at the United States Capitol, where the “Before He Cheats” vocalist will perform “America the Beautiful.” The national anthem will be performed by opera singer Christopher Macchio, while Greenwood will return to perform his rendition of “God Bless the USA.”
Later on Monday (Jan. 20), Rascal Flatts will perform at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, as will McCollum. Aldean and Village People — as well as a “suprise musical guest,” per THR — are slated for the Liberty Inaugural Ball on the same day, while DeGraw is booked for that evening’s Starlight Ball.
The weekend’s festivities will close out Tuesday (Jan. 21) with a National Prayer Service.
Trump’s first presidential inauguration in 2017 featured performances from America’s Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho and the Radio City Rockettes. Four years later, Jennifer Lopez sang “America the Beautiful” and “This Land Is Your Land” at President Joe Biden’s 2021 swearing-in ceremony.
As the performers for 2025’s ceremony have been confirmed over the past week, a few of them have felt the need to explain their decisions to contribute their talents to the celebration for Trump, who in May was convicted of 34 felonies in his hush money case. “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement Jan. 13. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
In their performance announcement the same day, the Village People members wrote, “We know this wont make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.”
“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” the group added at the time. “Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
The L.A. edition of dance event Brunch Electronik has been postponed amid ongoing fires in the city. Originally scheduled to happen Saturday (Jan. 28) at Expo Park, the one-day festival is now on the calendar for Saturday, June 28. A portion of revenue from the rescheduled event will be donated to the California Fire Foundation. […]
The family of late British singer Danielle Moore, the vocalist for dance band Crazy P, has released a statement revealing her cause of death. Moore died by suicide on Aug. 30.
In the statement, her family said, “Whilst we will never fully understand why Danielle took her life, we know that how she died bears no relation to who she was in life.
“Danielle cared deeply about the well-being of others and the world in which she lived,” the statement continued. “She was pained by social injustice and the impact of consumerism. She was an empath, instinctively compassionate and loyal, nurturing the truest of connections with the people in her life. The image of human kindness and generosity of spirit.
“We also know that Danielle would never have wanted her outcome for anyone else. She overcame two periods of significant mental ill health in the distant past and was so grateful that she did. With support and treatment, Danielle came through what had seemed, at those times, to be intolerable and wanted to keep on living.
“We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the prevalence of neurological and psychiatric symptoms during the perimenopause; something which is well known within the scientific community, but little talked about outside it. They say that to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so if any good can come from Danielle’s death, perhaps it will be increased awareness and understanding of the impact that the perimenopause can have on women’s mental health.
“We would like to thank everyone who came to see Danielle perform over the years and enabled her to do what she loved. She was as captivated by you as you were by her. We would also like to thank everyone for their words of kindness since Danielle’s death. The outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming.”
The disco house group was formed in the mid-1990s by artists Chris Todd and Jim Baron while they were attending the University of Nottingham, with the duo releasing their debut album, A Nice Hot Bath With… in 1999 on Paper Recordings. In 2002, Moore and keyboardist Mav Kendricks joined the band — which also included bassist Tim Davies — and they released their sophomore effort, The Wicked Is Music.
They released seven more albums over the years. Their most recent, Any Signs Of Love, was released this past November 29, almost exactly three months after Moore’s death.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or visiting the website for free, confidential support 24/7.
ASCAP announced Wednesday (Jan. 15) that it will distribute $1 million in emergency relief to ASCAP songwriters or composers who have suffered the loss or damage of their primary residences or studios in the Los Angeles wildfires. The organization is also offering assistance to those who have been evacuated.
ASCAP will provide one-time stipends in the amount of $1,500 to ASCAP writer members in good standing as of Jan. 1, 2025, who do “not have a resignation notice pending.” The stipends will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while funds are available.
Please see the ASCAP website for more information or to apply for benefits. You can also check out our resource guide for music workers impacted by the fires here and find out how to help here.
“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires. We are here to support our ASCAP members during troubled times, and we will ensure these funds reach ASCAP composers and songwriters in need,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews in a statement.
ASCAP president Paul Williams also wrote a message to members in need. His letter can be read below in full:
To my fellow ASCAP members,
My heart aches for the unimaginable loss and devastation that has struck our beloved city of Los Angeles. I want to say to all members and their families who have been impacted by the fires and are facing profound challenges, please take comfort that you are not alone. We are a community. As music creators, our community is built on a foundation of compassion, connection and a sense of purpose. That is our bedrock, where we always land, where we always begin.
Some of you have lost your homes, your studios, your instruments, those materials of your life which hold memories and meaning. What can never be lost is the spirit of this community and the enduring bond we share with each other. The outpouring of kindness, support, concern and generosity we have witnessed throughout this crisis is beyond inspiring. Proof, yet again, of an abundant supply of love.
As a community of songwriters, composers and music publishers, ASCAP has always harnessed our collective strength for the greater good. That is why ASCAP is setting up an emergency fund in the amount of $1 million for our members who have suffered from loss and damage to their homes and studios.
If you need help, please visit www.ascap.com/lafirerelief for more info.
Wishing you much love, hope and strength,
Paul
As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to devastate the city, celebrities are coming together to support the wildfire relief efforts that have been working tirelessly to help the community rebuild and gather resources for victims. At the time of publication, the Palisades fire has burned nearly 24,000 acres and is only 19% contained, while the […]
Dave Grohl spent his 56th birthday giving back to families in need amid the ongoing wildfire crisis in the Los Angeles area. In videos posted to Instagram Stories Tuesday (Jan. 14) by Feed the Streets — an L.A.-based charity with which the Foo Fighters frontman has volunteered in the past — Grohl helps stir homemade […]
A group of Los Angeles’ key promoters and venues are coming together to raise money in the wake of the fires that have devastated the city over the last eight days.
L.A. Gives Back: Fire Relief will happen Jan. 29 at The Bellwether in downtown Los Angeles. The show is being organized by IHEARTCOMIX, Brownies & Lemonade, Another Planet Entertainment (which owns The Bellwether) and Teragram.
The show — the lineup for which will be announced in the coming weeks — will raise money to support victims of the fire, along with first responders and animals. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go to charity.
The Jan. 29 show marks a special edition of L.A. Gives Back, which typically takes place during the holiday season to raise money for charitable causes in the city. Previous editions have featured artists including Zedd, Bonobo, Madeon, Flying Lotus, Tokimonsta, Boys Noize, A-Trak, JPEGMafia, Louis the Child, Tim Heidecker & Weyes Blood, Eric André and more. The event series has collectively raised over $250,000 for L.A.-based charities and initiatives.
This show is a new addition to a growing list of benefit shows to support victims and first responders of the wildfires, which have claimed at least 25 lives, killed countless animals and destroyed or damaged roughly 12,300 structures in the city since Jan. 7.
“There’s nothing the IHEARTCOMIX team and I care about more than our Los Angeles community — it’s what made us who we are,” IHEARTCOMIX founder Franki Chan says in a statement. “Over the past few days, it has been extremely painful to witness so many close friends, family members and colleagues lose their homes. Even more heartbreaking is knowing the road to recovery will be long. In moments like these, we believe it’s our duty to channel our best talents to support those in need. L.A. Gives Back has always been that vehicle for us, so we hope this event will make a meaningful contribution in providing some relief to our community.”
“The devastation Los Angeles has endured the past week from these wildfires made it clear we had to do something,” the organizers of electronic dance events company Brownies & Lemonade say in a joint statement. “L.A. Gives Back has been our longstanding event series focused on providing aid to our city and we’re so happy to bring it back for this crucial moment to provide wildfire relief for our city.”
“Los Angeles is home to a vibrant independent creative community,” adds Casey Lowdermilk of The Bellwether. “We’re proud to open our stage in support of our neighbors who lost everything in this disaster.”
LA Gives Back Fire Relief
Courtesy Photo
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy and MusiCares and Tammy Hurt, chair of the academy’s board of trustees, held a webinar on Wednesday (Jan. 15) to tell Academy members of their plans for the Feb. 2 show and other Grammy Week events.
Mason also released a press statement in which he explained the rationale for going forward. “We understand how devastating this past week has been on this city and its people,” Mason said. “This is our home, it’s home to thousands of music professionals, and many of us have been negatively impacted. So, after thoughtful consideration and multiple assurances from state and local elected leaders, public safety agencies and with support from our incredible artist community, we have decided to go ahead with the Grammy telecast and some select events. Grammy Week 2025 will not just be about honoring music, it will be about using the power of music to help rebuild, uplift and support those in need.”
The academy also released a revised (they used the term “condensed”) 2025 Grammy Week event schedule. As previously announced, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards telecast on CBS will continue to be held on Feb. 2, “but with a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”
The academy’s decision to go forward with the 67th annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, despite the wildfires that have devastated parts of the city, has been controversial.
Even before the Grammys announced plans to go on with the show, Lucas Keller, president and founder of Milk & Honey Management, announced that he was cancelling Milk & Honey’s popular Grammy party. “It would be tone deaf to celebrate and I hope all other companies will follow suit,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.
Many followed Keller’s lead. Just hours after the Recording Academy announced that it planned to go ahead with the telecast, Universal Music Group (UMG) announced it was canceling all of the company’s Grammy-related events, including its artist showcase and after-Grammy party, and will instead “redirect the resources that would have been used for those events to assist those affected by the wildfires.” Within 24 hours, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment had also canceled plans. BMG and Billboard also canceled party plans.
Many executives not based in Los Angeles expressed concern about taking up hotel rooms that may be needed by evacuees and planned not to attend.
In their messaging, the Academy is stressing the philanthropic angle. They note that each event on the schedule “will have a fundraising element.” Clive Davis’ & the Recording Academy’s legendary pre-Grammy gala – which most simply refer to as “Clive’s party” – has been rebranded for this year as Clive Davis’ & the Recording Academy’s Pre-Grammy Fundraising Event. The academy also made sure to include the word “charity” in the name of another of its most exclusive events — the MusiCares Persons of the Year Charity Gala.
The revised schedule for Grammy Week events is as follows:
Since launching the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to Support Music Professionals last week, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have raised and pledged more than $2 million in emergency aid to music people affected by the wildfires.
This is the third time in the last five years that the Grammy telecast has been impacted by outside events. The 2021 and 2022 shows were both postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 show was bumped from Jan. 31 to March 14. The 2022 ceremony was pushed all the way from Jan. 31 to April 3, and its location was moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas due to scheduling conflicts with the Crypto.com Arena.
The Recording Academy has yet to announce the host of this year’s Grammys. The announcement was expected last week, but has been delayed to avoid stepping on the news about whether the show was going to proceed or not. The announcement is expected soon.
The Recording Academy had first announced Feb. 2 as the date for this year’s telecast last May. Dates are not easy to move. For one thing, the Oscars, the oldest and most heavily covered awards show, are set for March 2.
The Grammy telecast will be produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy for the fifth consecutive year. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins are executive producers.
Beyoncé is the top nominee for the 67th annual Grammy Awards with 11 nods, followed by Charli XCX and Post Malone with eight nods each, and Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar with seven nods each. Final-round voting closed on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. PT, so the outcomes will have been sealed for weeks before they are finally announced.