How Music Companies Are Supporting L.A. Wildfire Relief Efforts (Updating)
From multi-million dollar donations to free studio time, a list of ways music companies are coming together to support those affected by the blazes.
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As devastating wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles County, a number of music businesses have stepped up to support relief efforts. Whether it’s multi-million dollar donations, offers to replace destroyed musical instruments and gear, or providing free studio time to affected musicians, it’s clear the industry is coming together to support both music professionals and the greater public who have suffered devastating losses.
Billboard has compiled a list of some of the music companies taking part in relief efforts around L.A. We will continue to update this list as more announcements are made.
Related
If you’re a musician or music industry worker impacted by the fires, please see Billboard’s list of entertainment non-profits offering financial and other assistance. You can also check out a list of ways to help here.
Family Alliance in Music (FAM)
The Nashville-based music non-profit is granting $1,500 grants to two music industry professionals who are facing financial hardship regarding the care of a child, elder or loved one due to the fires. Applicants can work “in any area of the music industry,” the organization says. The application deadline is March 15, while grants will be awarded April 15. Those interested can apply here.
Bandcamp
On Feb. 7 from midnight to midnight PT, Bandcamp will donate 100% of its proceeds to MusiCares in support of relief for music industry workers affected by the wildfires. The initiative is being supported by A2IM, Harman, Lagunitas, Roland, Shure, Victrola and WIN.
Raine
The music and entertainment industry-focused bank’s second Grammy Week cocktail party — co-hosted by The National Music Publishers’ Association, Music Business Worldwide and HITS — has been reconceived as a fundraiser for wildfire relief efforts, with proceeds going to MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort. Those who wish to attend are being asked to donate at least $250 to the cause at the event’s RSVP page.
Live Nation
The concert giant’s Crew Nation Global Relief Fund committed $1 million to assist performing musicians, live music crew and live music industry workers affected by the wildfires. Applications are now open for grants up to $5,000 for individuals currently employed within the industry who are facing displacement expenses due to mandatory evacuation orders, damage or loss. Live Nation is additionally supporting affected employees from its L.A. headquarters with direct relief through its Taking Care of Our Own program. Lastly, the company is working with AEG and the Azoff family to produce and promote FireAid, a benefit concert set for Jan. 30 in Los Angeles.
YouTube
According to a company blog post, YouTube and Google, together with Google.org, are contributing $15 million toward relief efforts aiding those impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. The contribution will go to organizations including Emergency Network Los Angeles, American Red Cross and the Center for Disaster Recovery.
Amazon Music
Amazon’s entertainment division, which includes Amazon Music, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, along with Ring and Whole Foods, has committed $10 million to L.A. wildfire relief efforts. According to a company blog post, the money “will go directly to national and local disaster and response organizations.” This includes the American Red Cross of Southern California, FireAid, MusiCares, World Central Kitchen, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and more.
Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment’s Crew Nation Global Relief Fund has committed $1 million to assist performing musicians, live music crew and live music industry workers affected by the wildfires in L.A. Additionally, Live Nation is also supporting impacted employees from its Los Angeles headquarters with direct relief through its Taking Care of Our Own program and is helping produce and promote FireAid, a benefit concert on Thursday, January 30.
Sony Group Corporation
Sony has pledged $5 million toward supporting relief efforts related to the Los Angeles-area fires. The sum will be allocated to organizations supporting first responders, community relief and rebuilding efforts, as well as employee assistance programs.
Sony Music Group also said on Tuesday (Jan. 14) tht it would redirect funds allocated to its now-canceled Grammy Week party to local relief efforts.
Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund
On Sunday (Jan. 12), the Warner Music Group’s social justice fund announced a pledge of $1 million to support fire relief and rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles. The funds will be directed to organizations assisting the Los Angeles community, local first responders and individuals in the music industry affected by the disaster. Recipients of the pledge include the California Community Foundation, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Project HOPE and MusiCares, among others, according to a press release.
WMG added on Monday (Jan. 13) that it would not be holding its annual Grammy party and will instead redirect funds to efforts to combat the wildfires and help those affected.
Universal Music Group
The label giant announced that it would cancel all of the company’s Grammy-related events, including its artist showcase and after-Grammy party, and instead “redirect the resources that would have been used for those events to assist those affected by the wildfires.”
ASCAP
ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, will distribute $1 million in emergency relief to ASCAP songwriter members in Los Angeles who have suffered loss or damage to their primary residence or studio, or have been evacuated from their homes as a result of the wildfires.
Good Boy Records
Good Boy Records, a label founded by producer Elie Rizk, is opening its doors for free to any musician who has lost their recording space in the L.A. fires. Click here for a public calendar and to book time at the company’s studio in Studio City.
Homemade Projects
Homemade Projects, a record label, influencer management firm, merchandiser and digital marketing agency, announced via Instagram after the fires took hold that anyone in the L.A. area in need of clothing could contact the company and be provided with new tees, hoodies, sweats and hats from its warehouse.
Guitar Center
The Guitar Center Music Foundation is offering support to L.A.-area musicians and music programs affected by the devastating fires, as announced on its website. Eligible individuals can apply for a one-time grant to help replace instruments lost or damaged in the fires. Applications are open through Feb. 28. To apply, visit the link here.
Discogs
The record-collecting marketplace announced it will donate its sales revenue on Friday (Jan. 17) directly to MusiCares, The Recording Academy’s non-profit arm, which is offering financial assistance to affected music industry workers.
SunPop
Indie management and record company, SunPop, partnered with Wasserman and The Bowery Presents to put on NYC FOR LA, a charity concert, held on Jan. 23. The event featured acts like Laundry Day, Quarters Of Change, Sarah Kinsely, Charlie Burg, Juice and more. Earnings from the show are going towards The California Fire Foundation, a local non-profit helping both those impacted by the fires and those fighting them.
