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The Recording Academy and MusiCares Have Launched A Coronavirus Relief Fund For Struggling Musicians

In the wake of coronavirus, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have stared a relief fund for struggling artists.

The Recording Academy and MusiCares Have Launched A Coronavirus Relief Fund For Struggling Musicians

As the coronavirus continues to cause mass cancelations and postponements of any sort of music-based event or gathering, artists who make their bread and butter touring have lost almost their entire year's worth of income. Now, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have decided to try and help those musicians in need of aid by launching a relief fund that will go to artists living one paycheck at a time.

The fund, spearheaded by MusiCares, will collect money for any and all musicians who have lost money due to COVID-19's outbreak. Not only that, but according to Recording Academy interim president/CEO Harvey Mason Jr, these funds will be allocated according to need, putting artists who live paycheck to paycheck first.

"These are not the artists that are going on worldwide tours on jets," said Mason Jr., who went on to admit that he wasn't sure the fund was possible. "My first thought was, ‘this is going to get out of control. The need is going to overwhelm us and our ability to help our music community...We’re going to have to do something extraordinary to be able to keep up with that."

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"The music industry is built on the work of musicians, artists, and music professionals," said MusiCares chair Steve Boom. "It is in times like these, that the industry needs to come together to support those who are struggling, particularly those who rely on touring incomes to survive. We know this fund will need to be significant. We will not be able to do it alone, and that’s why we are asking the entire music community including labels, streaming services, and anyone who is able to join us in this important effort. We're all in when the good times roll, and it’s important that we're all in when times are tough, too."

Donors can go to MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund page to give, while artists can also use the site to apply for funds.

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