LA Fire Relief Efforts: Intuit Dome Benefit Concert; $1 Million Pledge From Recording Academy & MusiCares, More

Fred Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” In response to the ongoing devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, nonprofit organizations and everyday people alike are stepping up to help those in need – including those who work in the music industry. Plus, initial details have been announced for FIREAID, a benefit concert to be held at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The fires that began on Tuesday have destroyed more than 10,000 homes and killed at least 10 people. NPR reported Jan. 10 “while there’s been considerable progress in containing the Hurst and Lidia fires, the two largest infernos — the Palisades and Eaton fires — persist with little to no signs of waning, according to city officials.” Citing the LA County Sheriff’s Department, NPR noted that “at least 180,000 people have had to evacuate and another 200,000 people are under evacuation warnings as of Thursday.”

Angelenos have already stepped up with acts of altruism and philanthropy from fighting the fires as part of private brigades to donating to food banks to providing shelter for those in need. The music business, too, much of which is based in Los Angeles, is also doing their part.

Today, the Intuit Dome today announced it will host the FIREAID benefit concert, which is described as “an evening of music and solidarity,” on Thursday, Jan. 30. The announcement promises that performers and ticket information will be revealed in the coming days. The concert, which is “dedicated to rebuilding communities devastated by wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California,”  is produced by Shelli, Irving and the Azoff family, in conjunction with Live Nation and AEG Presents.

The Recording Academy and nonprofit MusiCares announced Friday that the organizations have pledged $1 million to support music professionals impacted by the wildfires with the launch of the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort. Today’s announcement explains that the effort will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support to those in the music industry facing displacement and loss because of the disaster.

“The entire GRAMMY family is shocked and deeply saddened by the situation unfolding in Los Angeles,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, said in a statement. “The music community is being so severely impacted, but we will come together as an industry to support one another. Our organizations exist to serve music people because music is a powerful force for good in the world, and we hope the broader industry will now rally to this cause.”

Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, added, “We expect the disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles to be extraordinary, if even just on the basis of how many music people have lost their homes in the last day. MusiCares is always committed to ensuring that music professionals are supported in times of crisis, and we ask for the larger community to donate for those in need at this dire time. MusiCares can help with short term emergent needs for those currently displaced, and then longer-term services as we get a handle on the full extent of how music people are impacted.”

MusiCares, which was founded by the Recording Academy in 1989, provides crisis relief, preventive care, recovery resources, and need-based financial assistance for people across all music professions. For help, visit https://www.musicares.org/get-help.

The nonprofit Entertainment Community Fund – which provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals – is taking applications for emergency financial assistance. A post on Facebook from the Fund says, “Our hearts are with everyone in Southern California during this unimaginable time. If you’re a part of the entertainment industry and have been impacted by the California Fires, the Fund is here to help through support, connection to resources and emergency financial assistance. Call us at 323.933.9244 or visit entertainmentcommunity.org/CAFires for more information.”

Backline – a non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources – is encouraging those affected by the fires to reach out to the organization via its case submission form “and a case manager will contact you to help you get the long term support you need. “ A post on Facebook says “Our hearts are with the Los Angeles community and all those affected by the devastating wildfires. 💙 Know that Backline is here for you and that you are not alone. … If you need immediate assistance, please reach out to the Disaster Distress Hotline for free 24/7 support by calling 1-800-985-5990.” Visit https://backline.care/ for more information.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund – which was founded to provide financial assistance to “career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing physical or mental health issues, disability, or age-related problems” – also announced fire relief for those residing in Los Angeles county and the surrounding areas. The organization is currently accepting donations and applications for assistance.

A post on Sweet Relief’s website notes that the organization “is here to provide immediate financial assistance to music industry professionals impacted by natural disasters. Applications will be taken during a short stretch of time surrounding the disaster, but donations are always welcome.”

The nonprofit also shared a frequently updated resource list by MALAN (Mutual Aid LA Network) that includes information about assistance including free prepared meals by World Central Kitchen, animal boarding, shelter, free meals and other sources. That Google Doc is available here: CLICK HERE for a frequently updated resource list by MALAN (Mutual Aid LA Network)

Another Google Doc has been created to help support the music community with a list of resources and a collection of GoFundMe pages to donate to those in the industry in need including artists, agents, tour managers, record executives, publicists and others. That doc can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyJ-NM2qP-iRk1LJ8l3dc7e0M3IhHlo3E7Agvo9JOAQ/htmlview?#

Check out this Google Doc for a list of volunteer opportunities: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eaSXTYlLY_spJ-_w43ac55qu6X4YtgApgRGfads3cM4/htmlview?urp=gmail_link

And see the link below for a Google Doc listing brands providing products to families impacted by the LA fires.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L0dQpfj3c86mXRjADRrLshUCZrFzA3vcM_TfYxITjmc/edit?gid=0#gid=0

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Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires Impact Global Live Industry