The Quarantine All-Stars
WATCH: The Quarantine All-Stars For MusiCares quarantine-all-stars-raise-support-musicares-covid-19-relief
The Quarantine All-Stars Raise Support For MusiCares COVID-19 Relief
A star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Brad Paisley, Jonathan Cain, Steve Wariner, Chuck Leavell and many more cook up a quarantine virtual jam to benefit music people in need
An amazing, legendary, and award-winning group of musicians have come together for a one-of-a-kind All-Star Band collaboration. "Quarantine" is an electrifying cross-genre musical celebration created to benefit MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The song and video feature country superstar Brad Paisley, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jonathan Cain (Journey), four-time GRAMMY winner Steve Wariner and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award winner Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones) join Luke Bryan's band, Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) and many more to form The Quarantine All-Stars. Check out the full list of players on star-studded track:
Quarantine and the All Star Players
Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton, Earth, Wind & Fire)
Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers)
Jonathan Cain (Journey)
Sam Simms (Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake)
James Cook (Luke Bryan)
Kent Slucher (Luke Bryan)
Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews band)
Katlin Owen (Jon Pardi)
Kevin Arrowsmith (Luke Bryan)
Dave Ristrim (Luke Bryan)
Michael Carter (Luke Bryan)
Chris Kimmerer (Thomas Rhett)
Scotty Wilbanks (Luke Bryan, Third Day)
Josh Reedy (Thomas Rhett)
Horn players:
Lee Thornburg (Joe Bonamassa, Tower of Power)
Mark Douthit (Michael McDonald)
Keith Smith (Toby Mac)
Roy Agee (Lauren Daigle)
Greg Vail (Luis Miguel)
Dan Falcone (Lady Gaga, Celine Dion)
"They got together and created a great song, full of heart and intention, to help our fellow musicians by raising funds for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund," said Luke Bryan, whose incredible band appears on the track. Bryan kicks off the video of the performance with a heartfelt introduction.
"Quarantine" is an original song written and produced by Atlanta based musician and award-winning producer Scotty Wilbanks. The song was written on March 29, 2020 and recorded over the next few months from each musician's home or personal studio.
"We all want to do our part to help during these difficult times," Bryan added. "No donation is too small or too big – thank you for supporting music and the people who make it."
The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to help music creators and professionals affected by the Coronavirus crisis. Thanks to support from various artists, organizations and charities, the fund has raised millions so far, but much more is needed.
The "Quarantine" video premiered July 24, 2020, live on YouTube. Check it out and donate to support if you can.
Learn more about how you can donate to or apply for assistance via the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Learn more about the financial, medical and personal emergencies services and resources offered by the Recording Academy and MusiCares.
'Soundtrack Of Our Lives' Celebrates The Film & TV Music Community To Benefit MusiCares
Tommy Shaw & Ed Roland
WATCH NOW: Tommy Shaw & Ed Roland Legacy Lounge tommy-shaw-styx-ed-roland-collective-soul-legacy-lounge-livestream-benefit-musicares
Tommy Shaw of Styx & Ed Roland Of Collective Soul: Legacy Lounge Livestream To Benefit MusiCares
Two rock icons with southern roots will come together for a livestream conversation this Thursday, May 7 at 12 noon EDT to raise money for musicians in need.
May 4, 2020 - 9:00 am
This Thursday, Styx's Tommy Shaw and Collective Soul's Ed Roland will be the featured guests on a very special Legacy Lounge livestream presented by the Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter and benefittng MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
During the in-depth one-on-one conversation, the two rock icons with similar Southern backgrounds will tell stories of their time in music, discuss the influences that shaped them as musicians, and much more. During the livestream, which will be hosted on both the Styx and Collective Soul Facebook pages as well as embedded here, fans will have a chance to donate money to support music people in need via MusiCares.
https://twitter.com/CollectiveSoul/status/1257341275637981186
THIS THURSDAY, 5/7 at 12p EST, Ed will kick it off with a conversation w/ Tommy Shaw of @STYXtheBand in the Legacy Lounge. Set a reminder: https://t.co/R8up7mQQfd
The music community needs our help! We're partnering with the @RecordingAcad @MusiCares to support the #COVID19 fund
— Collective Soul (@CollectiveSoul) May 4, 2020
Established by the Recording Academy and MusiCares, the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help music creators and professionals affected by the Coronavirus crisis. Thanks to support from various artists, organizations and charities, the fund has raised over $10 million so far, but much more is needed.
Shaw's GRAMMY-nominated band Styx have been giving fans their weekly "Styx Fix" on Saturdays, streaming audio from their 2019 Las Vegas performances and also raising money for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Don't miss this remarkable livestream conversation between two rock and roll heroes. Mark your calendars and tune in to the Styx and Collective Soul Facebook pages for Legacy Lounge this Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m. PDT / 12 noon EDT.
Photo: Courtesy of Styx
Styx Fix: How The Rock Renegades Kept Fans Dancing inside-styx-fix-how-rock-renegades-kept-fans-dancing-raised-money-musicares
Inside Styx Fix: How The Rock Renegades Kept Fans Dancing & Raised Money For MusiCares
Styx manager Charlie Brusco talks about the band's ongoing charitable efforts, adapting to the pandemic and what's next…
Jun 27, 2020 - 9:00 am
Back in March, the coronavirus pandemic and the quarantine that followed left music lovers everywhere stuck at home with nowhere to go to show their support or get their fill of their favorite artists live in concert. Fortunately, iconic rockers Styx were one of the first to offer fans a fast remedy. Enter Styx Fix, a series of high-quality audio recordings from the band's concert vault.
Better still, Styx saw the opportunity to not only give back to their fans with the free livestreams of archived concerts, but also to give back to the music community by raising money for great causes like the TJ Martel Foundation and the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
A driving force behind the concept and the idea to include MusiCares is longtime Styx manager Charlie Brusco. We caught up with Brusco over the phone from his home in Cumming, Ga., to hear more about how Styx Fix got started after the band's live shows were stopped.
"We had to come up with something that tied the band back together with the fans that aren't able to see the shows. and we had a lot of these Styx recorded live shows - we record the audio every night," Brusco said. "The best that we could do to give the fans a live-feeling experience, because that's what Styx is, a great live band."
https://twitter.com/STYXtheBand/status/1276893200192540675
Tonight! Join us at 8pm ET/5pm PT for STYX FIX REWIND on our official Youtube. Navigate through exclusive photos and videos to curate your own Styx Fix or sit back, relax, and enjoy the show we have prepared! pic.twitter.com/InIBofeDH9
— Styx (@STYXtheBand) June 27, 2020
The first edition of Styx Fix aired on the last Saturday in March, was hosted by Styx' Tommy Shaw and featured the entire concert audio from the band's Aug. 24, 2017 show at Quebec's Amphitheatre Cogeco & Centre-Ville. In the following months, four subsequent Styx Fixes treated fans to never-before-heard live concert streams and extras from the band and raised considerable awareness and funds for a variety of charities, including MusiCares. And while the exclusive concert streams only stay live for two weeks, the series will see a relaunch this Saturday, June 27 on the band's YouTube page.
But raising money for charity is nothing new for Styx. The band has their own charity called Rock To The Rescue which generously fundraises donates
"When we are on the road on a regular basis, we raise anywhere from a hundred to $250,000 a year from auctioning off signed guitars at our shows and all that stuff," said Brusco. "With a portion of that, we always make donations to different organizations all over the United States. But MusiCares and T.J. Martell are the two biggest that we provide endorsements and money to every year."
And Brusco's connection to MusiCares goes back even further, and the Styx Fix is just one way he and the artists he manages have supported his fellow members of the music community. In fact, another idea for a unique fundraiser came together last month as Shaw joined Ed Roland of Collective Soul for once-in-a-lifetime livestream conversation, also to benefit MusiCares. Legacy Lounge: A Conversation with Ed Roland and Tommy Shaw featured the two rock icons discussing their similar Southern backgrounds and swapping career stories and discussing the influences that shaped them as musicians.
"It came out of a conversation with Michele [Caplinger, the executive of the Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter]." he said. "I said that we were going to start doing these Zoom calls with Tommy. We had done one with Tommy and Kevin Cronin with REO Speedwagon, and then we were talking about doing some more of them and Michele said, 'Hey, didn't Ed always want to do something with Tommy?'"
The concept just kept growing from there. Ed and Tommy had played shows together and even played and sang on each other's recordings before, and whenever they collaborated, there seemed to be an easy connection, with both artists arriving at similar creative approaches to the material even though they were working together remotely.
"When we started talking about doing the Legacy Lounge over Zoom, that was really the first time that they had [spent time together] that wasn't backstage at a show or anything like that. We put them on the call together and we just let them go on their own and they had a great time. They talked about all kinds of different stuff and Ed had a list. Ed acted like he was Dan Rather and he was interviewing him," he recalled.
But it's not just Styx and Collective Soul who have opened their hearts, Brusco managers an active roster of rockers and do-gooders. His other artists include Southern rock staples the Outlaws and a new band from Atlanta called Like Machines, and they have also been supporters of the spirit of giving back, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
"None of my artists are into, 'Okay, hey, let's livestream and charge people and split the money up.' It's not about that right now. This is really about trying to help, especially our industry, which is where the MusiCares donations go," Brusco said. "It is a really good match, and we're raising money for people that are musicians and, whatever their situation is, it doesn't matter. If they need help, it's great that MusiCares establishes that somebody's got to help raise the money that they need to get that help."
Perhaps the best part is that some of the music professionals who work with Brusco and his bands are also the same ones who MusiCares is helping now. A member of the Styx road crew was recently telling Brusco and his team about applying for a grant through MusiCares, how simple the application process was and how appreciative he was to receive a check while he's stuck unable to work.
"Quite frankly, the 'goes around, comes around' thing is real. This is a guy who sometimes helps getting the guitars signed by the band, so that money goes to whatever charity we're working with. All of a sudden, he never thought he would be in a position where he was having to get somebody to help him out with money," Brusco said of the crew member who received a MusiCares grant. "He's a great touring guy, but he's unemployed. He can't do anything right now. He's not the kind of guy that likes to take on unemployment or wants to do it. He wants to work, but he can't work."
This kind of connection, generosity and support is what keeps MusiCares in a position to help music people in need, especially now with the devastating toll coronavirus has taken on the live music industry. But this is also when the biggest hearts in the music community shine.
"The live music business is probably going to be the last one to reopen at full strength, again out of this pandemic," Brusco said. " It's always a good thing to give back when you're in a position to help. And right now, I think everybody's trying to do everything they can, because we can feel it more than anybody else how this is affecting musicians and crew people."
Catch the next Styx Fix this Saturday, June 27, on the band's YouTube page.
David Lee Roth (L) and Eddie Van Halen (R)
Photo: Robert Yager
2021 MusiCares Charity Relief Auction Announced 2021-musicares-charity-relief-auction-additional-items-announced-bid-items-bob-dylan
2021 MusiCares Charity Relief Auction Additional Items Announced: Bid On Items From Bob Dylan, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, David Lee Roth & Many More
The marquee lineup of items at the 2021 MusiCares Charity Relief Auction, benefitting the MusiCares Foundation, will feature items from ABBA, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire and many others
Dec 23, 2020 - 11:41 am
MusiCares, the leading music industry charity, and Julien's Auctions have announced the marquee lineup of items to be sold at the MusiCares Charity Relief Auction, which takes place live in Beverly Hills and online Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021.
Benefitting the MusiCares Foundation, this official GRAMMY Week event precedes the 2021 GRAMMYs. Proceeds from the auction will benefit MusiCares to provide aid to music people devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. MusiCares provides the music community a support system of health and human services across a spectrum of need, including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief.
BTS kicked off the initiative in the previous announcement of their generous offering of their pastel-colored ensembles (estimate: $20,000-$40,000), worn in their 2020 music video for "Dynamite," the global superstars' smash hit and first No. 1 single in the U.S. BTS earned their first GRAMMY nomination for the song in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category at the 2021 GRAMMYs, alongside other pop icons like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Bon Iver, and Justin Bieber and Quavo.
An exciting highlight added to the auction will be a black jacket embroidered with rhinestones worn by music icon and original Van Halen singer, David Lee Roth, on stage performing with Van Halen during their landmark 2007-2008 tour when he reunited with the band for the first time since 1984. The jacket was also featured in a photograph accompanying this lot signed by Roth with Eddie Van Halen taken backstage by photographer Robert Yager. The jacket was seen in Roth's recent tweet with the photo in tribute to the late guitar legend on Oct. 6, the day of Van Halen's passing with the words, "What a Long Great Trip It's Been.." (estimate: $2,000 - $4,000).
Pete Townsend | Photo Courtesy of Artist
Also headlining are two items from the legendary Bob Dylan: a 2018 "MONDO SCRIPTO" print with Dylan's handwritten lyrics to "Like A Rolling Stone" on one side and the drawing on the other signed by Dylan (estimate: $2,000 - $3,000) and a hardcover copy of Bob Dylan's 2004 book "Chronicles," signed on the inside by Dylan (estimate: $800 - $1,200).
Another exceptional addition to the auction stage will be Pete Townsend's blue boiler suit and long beige linen "kimono" coat (estimate: $4,000 - $6,000) worn by the iconic guitarist while jumping in the air and performing with The Who during their epic shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Wembley Stadium last year.
Making a special appearance is an acrylic and spray on canvas painting of singer and musician Chris Martin performing live with Coldplay by Billy Morrison, the artist and guitarist of Billy Idol's band since 2009 (estimate: $8,000 to $12,000). The mixed media, acrylic and spray on canvas is signed by both Martin and Morrison.
Chris Martin (L) and Billy Morrison (R) | Photo Courtesy of Artists
Other notable items announced are a framed "No Time To Die" single cover lithograph, signed by Billie Eilish, FINNEAS and Daniel Craig, of the GRAMMY-nominated song from the forthcoming James Bond film, No Time To Die; a Lady-Gaga-signed Chromatica vinyl LP; a pink signed guitar from Machine Gun Kelly; Foo-Fighters-signed drumheads and signed Taylor-Hawkins-used drumsticks; a Fender Player Series Stratocaster guitar signed by Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada of the GRAMMY-nominated Black Pumas; Alice Cooper's Welcome To My Nightmare 1975 album lithograph by award-winning movie poster artist Drew Struzan; Nikki Sixx's signed signature J-4 Sixx bass guitar; Marshmello's signed mascot head gear; and forthcoming items from Mark Ronson, The Estate of Chris Cornell offered by Vicky Cornell, The Estate of George Harrison and more.
Nikki Sixx | Photo Courtesy of Artist
"Partners like Julien's Auctions allow MusiCares to continue to support musicians and industry professionals with our relief efforts," Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, said. "During GRAMMY Week, we want to encourage everyone to support the thousands of people behind the scenes of the music that are still out of work and struggling through the pandemic."
Highlights from the 2021 MusiCares Charity Relief Auction include (with estimates):
Snoop Dogg's self-portrait dog wearing a "Doggy Style 25" gold chain painting on canvas signed by Snoop Dogg, which was created in commemoration of his 25th Anniversary Doggy Style in 2019 ($1,500-$3,000).
A single sheet of partial handwritten lyrics written by HAIM for their 2020 song "The Steps" that includes step-like drawings ($800-$1,200).
A purple Meyer The Hatter fedora hat with yellow grosgrain band signed on the inside by Elvis Costello, who has also drawn a caricature next to his signature ($600-$800).
Cyndi Lauper's jean jacket with original artwork by artist Lola Arrillaga on the jacket signed inside "Painting by Lola," by Lauper with a heart and piece sign drawing ($1,500-$3,000).
Kenny Chesney's signed Epiphone Pro-1 NA acoustic guitar and accompanied by a photograph of Chesney with the guitar ($2,000-$3,000).
Brian May's signed black "PS Paul Smith" long-sleeved button-down shirt accompanied by a signed photograph of May performing at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London on Aug. 12, 2012 ($1,000-$2,000).
Reba McEntire's ballgown satin skirt with tulle and off-shoulder, long-sleeved lace top ($1,000-$2,000).
A postcard and music sheet for ABBA's song "Does Your Mother Know," each signed by all four ABBA band members ($800-$1,200).
A pair of black leather Linda Farrow Collaborations and Veronique Branquinno sunglasses owned and worn by Yoko Ono ($1,000-$2,000).
A champagne-brown velvet jacket with scarf collar worn by Brandi Carlile in a photoshoot for By The Way I Forgive You album and Warner Music Pre-GRAMMY party in New York City on Ja. 25, 2018 ($1,000-$2,000).
A framed color photograph of Leon Bridges taken in Brussels in 2018 signed by both Bridges and the photographer ($600-$800).
Eminem's red Kangol cap signed "Shady" by Eminem ($600-$800).
Tanya Tucker's handwritten lyrics to "Bring My Flowers Now" ($800-$1,200).
Joe Walsh's (The Eagles, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, and James Gang) signed Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar with the original Gibson hard shell case donated by Gibson Guitars ($2,000-$3,000).
JULIEN'S AUCTIONS PUBLIC EXHIBITION & LIVE AUCTION LOCATION
Julien's Auctions Beverly Hills
257 N. Canon Drive
Monday, Jan. 25 –Friday, Jan. 29, 2021
Daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST
LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION
MusiCares Charity Relief Auction
An Official 63rd GRAMMY Week Event
Session I: 1 p.m. PST
REGISTERING TO BID
Registration is required to bid in this online auction and can be done in person at the exhibition or online before the sale at the Julien's Auctions website. Registration page to bid by phone, proxy or in person, or online at JuliensLive.com to bid live online, or by calling 310-836-1818. For inquiries, please email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818.
There are four ways to bid in Live Auctions:
Bid with Julien's Auctions online and live in real time at JuliensLive.com or via the iPhone App.
Bid over the telephone through an auction house representative.
Bid in person in the room at live auction events
Bid in advance by absentee bid. Absentee bid forms are printed in the back of each catalogue, and are also available by calling Julien's Auctions or online.
MusiCares Launches "Help For The Holidays" Initiative On Giving Tuesday 2020
Lzzy Hale of Halestorm
'Tour Stop(ped)' But The Show Must Go On tour-stopped-show-must-go-laura-jane-grace-lzzy-hale-more
'Tour Stop(ped)' But The Show Must Go On: Laura Jane Grace, Lzzy Hale & More
MusiCares & the Recording Academy Florida & Chicago Chapters host a candid discussion between top rock acts on mental health and adapting to life without the rush – or revenue – of touring.
Lior Phillips
"I miss airport coffees. I miss sleeping in a bus bunk. And I miss being part of a team," Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace said with a melancholy smile, followed by knowing nods from her colleagues. Even before the pandemic sent countless hearts and minds into a heady darkness of isolation, the importance of frank discussion of mental health for musicians had come to the foreground. Suddenly taking away sources of revenue, of connection, of support, of stability, of routine, from people already facing the challenges of the life of an artist. Presented by Recording Academy Florida and Chicago Chapters with MusiCares and bringing together a variety of Recording Academy members to share their perspective on it all, Tour Stop(ped) opened the floor to the essential conversation regarding the value of self-care and strategies for thriving as an artist unable to hit the road.
Tour Stop(ped): Honest Talk With Touring Artists
"You're basing your life on connection to people," explained rising English rocker Yungblud. "I want to be out there causing chaos but now I'm just looking at the walls, watching the paint dry!"
Stephen Gibb served as the perfect moderator for the conversation, a familiar face in a cozily familiar studio setting, keeping the conversation focused and spirited. As a member of hard rock bands such as Black Label Society, Crowbar, and Saigon Kick, Gibb is intimately familiar with tour life. And as current host of the podcast Addiction Talks, his deft hand with sensitive conversations encouraged openhearted conversation, first focused on a general sense of how everyone was coping with this strange new reality. In addition to Yungblud, veterans Grace and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm, and new wave experimentalist KennyHoopla contributed an array of perspectives on Tour Stop(ped), both in terms of their careers and their personal experiences, offering viewers a variety of valuable lessons.
Hale found herself stumped by the first chunk of time without a gig on the schedule since the band's founding. "Even when I was 13 I had a gig at the bowling alley lined up," she laughed, framed in her home studio by racks of her distinctive Epiphone Explorer guitars. From her home in Chicago, Grace reiterated the confusion that comes from utter stillness after decades of constant movement, but with a sense of contentment. "This very well might be one long manic episode," she laughed. "I've been doing this for 20 years, and in a way it was 20 years of wondering when it was all going to go away. And that it did, but not because of anything I did, something totally out of my control, was calming."
A large part of the conversation focused on strategies to ensure that musicians can feel creative and fulfilled in this time, to keep from falling into unhealthy ruts. As an artist still early in his touring career, KennyHoopla has seen the inability to perform as an opportunity for reflection. "I'm just trying to catch up to myself," he said. "To use this time to hone the fragile parts of me and make them stronger."
Grace, meanwhile, compared the time to Bob Dylan's self-imposed years off from touring, saying she was similarly using the pandemic as a period of woodshopping and working on her craft. "Being an artist is about being creative, and we're in a situation right now that's asking us all to be our most creative selves to make this work and to make the best of this," she mused.
Gibb and the panelists elaborated on the importance of maintaining a connection with fans—as a way of keeping the audience engaged, of garnering financial support for new projects while tour revenue is gone and of maintaining the necessary emotional support. When the pandemic necessitated canceling gigs, Yungblud was already in the midst of a global tour. When he got home, he immediately knew he'd need to put together a livestream event and to stick close to his social media accounts. "Luckily, I love being online and I love social media. That's our stage right now," he said. "Everybody's in the same boat, feeling that need, like, 'I'm going to mosh my head off, I'm going to go crazy, I'm going to release my energy even if it's in my bedroom with my cat.'"
Read More: Yungblud Talks Turning His Tour Postponement Into An Online Rock & Roll Variety Show
While the panelists were all musicians, the entire music industry, Gibb noted, are struggling through this pandemic. Countless individuals are having their livelihoods hit hard by the inability to work in crews, sell merch, and promote tours, among countless other outlets. "My heart is breaking for my friends and family, the techs, lighting guys, riggers," he said, holding back the tears. "We're in the fun business, the happiness business. We bring joy and we connect with people on a visceral, emotional level. It's heartbreaking for there not to be any end date to this."
The panelists provided fascinating and refreshing perspective on what might happen when touring does start to kick back into swing. "If everyone is going to try to tour at once, then the market will be completely flooded and it's going to be just as much pandemonium," Grace insisted. "[We need to be] figuring out a strategic way through this and a strategic way out of this for the community that we have spent so long building that is collapsing around us."
As life, and this year, have shown us difficult times can manifest surprising moments. Two surprise guests dropped into the conversation as well in order to ask questions that hit close to their hearts. Frontwoman of legendary LA hard rockers L7, Donita Sparks popped in first ("I don't know if I'm a guest or a Zoom bomb!" she grinned). Her question centered on what the artists missed most; for Sparks, it was her tour family, the larger crew beyond the band, and how artists can keep that connection while at home. "I always feel invincible because I know they have my back," she said.
On top of lamenting the inability to connect more personally with his fans, Yungblud encouraged everyone on the call to let out their most raucous shout, a release of pent-up punk-energy inspired by Sparks' iconic spirit. Experimental songwriter Grandson popped in later (first thanking the "music Illuminati" for the invite), and then offering a succinct and powerful explanation of the importance of gratitude. "Set your goals internally to make the best art you can, be the best friend you can, and let the things that are out of your control remain that way," he said.
https://twitter.com/RecordingAcad/status/1321852899614355456
TODAY 🎶Join our @MusiCares conversation on self-care, juggling career strategies and adjusting to life off the road with @LZZYHALE, @LauraJaneGrace, @KennyHoopla, @yungblud, @StephenGibb, and @grandson.
⌚️ 4pm PT / 7pm ET
📍#RecordingAcademy Facebook
📲 https://t.co/jxfcsCbB9F pic.twitter.com/BUg03FNOTd
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) October 29, 2020
Naturally, the conversation wound its way through to coping mechanisms, strategies which the individual musicians would recommend for keeping their mental health strong. Aerobic exercise as a replacement for long nights on the stage were a common refrain. Hale added that an herb garden had become a centering activity and Gibb extolled the virtues of meditation, while Grace vouched for long baths with epsom salts and apple cider vinegar. Yungblud's solution was endless jamming at the exasperation of his neighbors, while KennyHoopla's suggestion for boosting spirits focused on one word: love.
"Having time to elaborate on my love for everyone in my life and loving myself... just putting out love as much as I can and continuing to give myself to the universe," he said. "When you give yourself to the universe, it will always return."
In addition to the panelists' discussions of their own experiences, the event featured video interludes. In the first, Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman highlighted the Academy's collaboration with MusiCares, noting that the organization had already assisted nearly 20,000 individuals in the music industry and dispersed over $19 million, whether for helping cover rent, fixing broken instruments, organizing doctor's appointments for uninsured members, and even establishing cyber support groups and addiction and rehab counseling.
Later, Chief Advocacy Officer of the Recording Academy Daryl Friedman led a conversation regarding how artists can help in the fight to sustain independent stages. Throughout, short videos from Academy members sharing stories of their favorite venues and what they missed on the road reinforced not only the community aspect of the music industry, but also the Academy's commitment to bringing everyone together in the fight to make lives better until things can get back to a relative normal.
But then even this very panel showcases just how important that community feeling can be, the four panelists exchanging their own biggest takeaways. "Laura said earlier, you have to do things quickly [because] when you have time you can overthink things," Yungblud reiterated. "Right now, what the f*ck do I have to lose? Why not push my boundaries?"
KennyHoopla had been meant to open for Yungblud on a series of tour dates, and the two naturally bonded during this time over their joint focus on pushing boundaries during pandemic. "There's this sense of urgency because people are relying on you to give them a sense of escapism and a high," he said. "I've gotta keep going and keep providing art and putting myself out there."
As the conversation neared its end, Hale insisted that when they were all back out on the festival circuit, they'd need to find a way to get together for a hug and a beer -- a simple pleasure that's somehow turned into a transformative dream. And after all of the sage advice dispensed throughout the evening, Grace offered perhaps the most important three-word signoff: "Just stay alive."
Recording Academy's 'Pass the Aux' Forms a "Zoomchella" Community