MusiCares raises over $3 million for LA wildfires relief

MusiCares demonstrates an incredible effort to support the LA community after the devastating wildfires.

MusiCares – a non-profit organization established by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, best known for the Grammy Awards – has provided over $25 million in relief funds to LA’s music community. The relief has spanned from 2020, marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, to the present, chronicled by California’s harrowing wildfires. 

In light of these tragic events, which have deeply affected the Los Angeles community, MusiCares has raised $3.2 million for wildfire relief efforts alone, with approximately $2.2 million already allocated to those in need. The support is catered toward those who have worked in music for three or more years and/or have six commercially released recordings. The typical aid to individuals includes a $1,500 grant for financial assistance and a $500 grocery card.

The $3.2 in funds raised antedates the FireAid benefit concerts scheduled for January 30th, featuring performances from the music industry’s best and brightest. The Intuit Dome will feature performances from 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. The second part of the FireAid benefit will feature performances from Kia Forum will feature performances from Alanis Morissette, Anderson Paak, Dave Matthews, 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. The productions will also be available for live streaming, hopefully augmenting philanthropic impact as people tune in worldwide.

Clearly, MusiCares has been doing its part to support LA’s community during this critical time. Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has shared a statement, demonstrating his commitment to providing wildfire relief. “MusiCares started getting requests, and it’s now thousands of music people who need help. We needed to figure out how to be there to serve a music community, so in addition to proceeding with the Grammys themselves, we have raised over $3 million so far, and all of that money is committed and spoken for—and we’re going to need a lot more.”

Mason elaborated on the urgency of the situation. “I was lucky, but when I see people and friends of mine who have lost their studio, lost their house, lost their instruments, lost their ability to make a living, after all the strife and struggle that has happened to people in this community over the last five years, I say we have to do everything we can to be helpful. That involves raising money, that involves raising awareness and hopefully allowing MusiCares to have the financial resources that it’s going to take to support the thousands and thousands of people that are going to need help—not just this week or next week, but for the next few years.”

MusiCares is poised to continue its vital support for music professionals facing hardship, ensuring community needs are met with urgency and compassion. To learn more about MusicCares and their impactful work, venture to their disaster relief page. 

About The Author

Saracha

Heralding from sunny South Florida, I am a proud Florida Woman. In my free time, I surf the swamp, wrangle gators, open fan mail, and tend to my pets. In the wild, I’m most often spotted at immersive art spaces, step tappin’ in a shadowed corner of the club, hater blockerz on, totally incognito as your resident EDM spice girl. Although I generally tout my spicy side, if there’s one thing I’d love to impress upon the world, it would be this: it’s not a waste to give love to those who do not deserve it – it’s a gift. The world would be a better place if we gave, in kindness and in mercy, to those who need it most with no expectation in return.

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