On the heels of a letter from the Recording Academy appealing to Congress for financial assistance for the music community, the Music Artists Coalition sent a similar letter to Congress signed by dozens of artists and executives, including Don Henley, Lizzo, Maren Morris, John Mayer, Stevie Nicks, Gwen Stefani, Def Leppard and many others. Where the Recording Academy letter focused on freelancers and people involved in the “gig economy,” this one emphasizes workers in the live-entertainment side of the business.
A rep for the organization noted that the relief package signed by President Trump Wednesday is a first step that will provide some relief to the music community, but that more targeted aid is needed.
“The cancellation of concerts, festivals, and tours has brought an abrupt end to income for hundreds of thousands of people,” the letter reads in part. “The music industry is facing an existential threat that is unprecedented – the touring business as we know it has disappeared without warning and without a safety net for hundreds of thousands of people. MAC believes the impacted people in the music industry are one of the groups most in need of government assistance.”
The letter follows below in full.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy, and Leader Schumer:
The Music Artists Coalition (MAC) appreciates the bipartisan efforts underway to address the severe economic impact on millions of Americans because of COVID-19. As economic relief efforts are finalized, MAC believes it is essential that support is reserved for the hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on the live music business.
In compliance with CDC guidelines, all concerts and events have been cancelled indefinitely. As a result, the concert business is as drastically and negatively impacted as the airlines and the hospitality industries, despite a lack of media attention. The men and women who work tirelessly to bring live music to fans are unable to work from home and have no alternative means of supporting themselves and their families.
The cancellation of concerts, tours, and festivals means that the musicians and crews who make every concert a special experience for music fans are now out of a job and have no other way to pay rent or put food on the table. Concerts are not just about the headliner: the foundation of live music are the touring musicians, truck and bus drivers, stagehands, production teams, crews who handle lighting, sound, equipment, security, and so many others do not have any option for work as there are no live events for the foreseeable future.
The cancellation of concerts, festivals, and tours has brought an abrupt end to income for hundreds of thousands of people. For these dedicated individuals, it is not an unwillingness, but an inability, to work, when all concerts, tours, and recording sessions are cancelled or indefinitely postponed. While some concerts will be rescheduled, it is inevitable that many will be cancelled and unable to find a venue in which to perform when this crisis has passed.
The music industry is facing an existential threat that is unprecedented – the touring business as we know it has disappeared without warning and without a safety net for hundreds of thousands of people. MAC believes the impacted people in the music industry are one of the groups most in need of government assistance.
Thank you for leading the fight to ensure Americans are able to pay their bills and survive these trying times.
Sincerely,
Adam Dorn
Adrianne Duncan
Alex Sugarman
Ali Harnell
Alicia Spillias
Aloe Blacc
Amy Lee (Evanescence)
Anderson .Paak
Anthony Rossomando
Anthony Russo
Ari Herstand
August Roads
BANKS
Ben Rector
Bernie Taupin
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Bloque
Boombox Cartel
Brandon Robert Young
Brian Lee
Burt Bacharach
Charli XCX
Chloe Flower
Clare Bowen
Cody Tarpley
Cold War Kids
Coran Capshaw
Crywolf
Danica Pinner
Danny Parker
Dark Water
Dave Matthews
David Brownstein
David Murillo
Def Leppard
Deva Mahal
Diplo
Don Henley
Drew Holcomb
Dustin O’Halloran
Elizabeth Crbe
Elliot Grofman
FIDLA
Gabe Rosales
Garrett Edson
George Ritter
Grady
Gwen Stefani
Harlan Silverman
Idina Menzel
Irving Azoff
J Ross Parrelli
Jack Quinn
JC Dwyer
JD Souther
Jean-Pierre Durand
Jeff Russo
Jeffrey Rivera
Jennifer Nettles
Jeremy Silver
Jerrod Bettis (p/k/a “Skins”)
Jim Cicconi
Joe Walsh
John Mayer
John Silva
Jon Levine
Jonny Pierce (p/k/a “The Drums”)
Jordan Bromley
Jordan Davis
Jordan Palmer
Julian Casablancas
Karen Fairchild
Kat Dahlia
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
Kenny Loggins
Kerry Brown
Kimber Kristy
Kito
Kristen Foster
Kristian Bush
KSHMR
Kyler England
Larkin Poe
Leslie Odom Jr
Lincoln Jesser
Linda Perry
Lionel Andie
Lionel Richie
Little Big Town
Lizzo
Lostboycrow
Louis Bell
Louis Schoorl
Lucie Silvas
Lucy Levinsohn
Lunchmoney Lewis
MAG
Mandy Dickson
Maren Morris
Mark Ronson
MAX
Meghan Trainor
Michelle Lewis
Mitch Allan
Moana Avvenenti
Morgan Kibby/White Sea
M-Phazes
Nancy Kuo
Nick Seeley
Niia
NoMBe
ODESZA
Omar Waqor
Pat Monahan
Paul Stanley
Pepe Aguilar
Pussy Riot
Randy Belculfine
Robert Longoria
Rory Andrew (p/k/a “Wynne”)
Saint Astonia
Sam Martin
Sammy Witte
Sara Bareilles
Shane McAnally
Sheryl Crow
Showtek
Sirah
Slash
Slightly Stoopid
Spoon
Steve Jordan
Steve Miller
Steve Perry
Stevie Nicks
Stint
Stone Temple Pilots
Susan Genco
T Collar
The Doobie Brothers
The White Buffalo
Tim Lillis
Tim McGraw
Tom Meredith
Troye Sivan
Verdine White
Walk Off The Earth
Zach Dawes
Zach Sutton
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