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Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nearly $10 Million of Fire Relief Aid Distributed From GRAMMY ® Telecast Contributions
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Three months since GRAMMY ® telecast viewers generously contributed nearly $10 million for Los Angeles Fire Relief efforts, that money has made its way to recipients across the region, helping both music professionals and the broader local population affected by the devastating wildfires. MusiCares ® has distributed $6,125,000 to more than 3,100 music professionals across Los Angeles and $3,969,005 has been directed to three community-based organizations: California Community Foundation, Direct Relief and Pasadena Community Foundation. Donations made during the GRAMMY telecast came from everyday supporters around the world, with the median contribution of $53.50. This overwhelming show of solidarity demonstrated how people across the globe opened their hearts, and their wallets, in support of Angelenos in need. The GRAMMY telecast also included several performances and segments dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis created by the wildfires. 'The music community does amazing things when it comes together,' said Recording Academy ® and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason jr. 'This outpouring of love and support was humbling, whether it was performing or participating on the show, making contributions or donating their time and items for fundraisers. We are grateful for this amazing community and the GRAMMY viewers who felt inspired to give.' 'What moved us most in the days following the GRAMMY telecast wasn't just the scale of support, it was the spirit behind it. Thousands of people gave what they could, and together, their generosity became a lifeline for those in crisis, which reached far beyond our industry. That's why we partnered with trusted community organizations who are helping Angelenos across the region access the care, resources and support they need to rebuild,' said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. When disaster strikes, emergency support is only the first step. Recovery is a phased process that stretches well beyond the news cycle. While MusiCares responded within days of the fire's outbreak to provide immediate assistance, the long-term needs of music professionals are now coming into sharper focus. From loss of work and instruments to the emotional toll of displacement and trauma, the aftermath continues to affect lives. Few cities embody the soul of music like Los Angeles. Thousands of people here make a living in music, often relying on specialized tools and gig-based income to survive. With equipment destroyed, events canceled and homes damaged or lost, the music community has faced a multifaceted crisis. MusiCares continues to provide aid through customized case management, mental health support and financial assistance to those with lasting need. To address the broader community impact beyond the music industry, MusiCares and the Recording Academy partnered with California Community Foundation, Direct Relief and Pasadena Community Foundation, three trusted organizations already embedded in the neighborhoods hit hardest by the fires. Below are updates on how these funds are helping rebuild Los Angeles as a whole. California Community Foundation (CCF) CCF is supporting groups working on rebuilding the infrastructure that binds communities. Along with funding organizations that provided cash assistance and emergency supplies immediately after the fires, we are supporting our partners in reviving the places where people in neighborhoods come together as a community. 'Recovery isn't just about rebuilding homes,' said CCF President and CEO Miguel Santana. 'People who lost their homes also lost schools, churches, stores -- the places that connected them to their neighbors to form the community they treasured. As we bring activity back to places like a park, a church, or a school, people can re-connect as a community. Those chances to be together can give people strength and hope as they continue the difficult process of rebuilding their individual lives.' Direct Relief In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, Direct Relief mobilized its resources to address both the immediate and long-term healthcare needs of affected communities. As the fires displaced thousands and overwhelmed local healthcare systems, many residents—particularly those uninsured or underinsured—faced significant health risks, compounded by housing instability, food insecurity, and the loss of essential services. Direct Relief responded by delivering critical medical supplies to health centers, collaborating with local healthcare providers to ensure access to emergency care, and supporting mental health services to help survivors cope with the trauma. Beyond healthcare, the organization worked to stabilize the broader community by providing grants to local organizations focused on restoring housing, food security and essential services, ensuring a comprehensive recovery approach for those hardest hit by the disaster. 'Recovery from wildfires involves more than rebuilding physical infrastructure—it requires addressing complex social challenges such as housing instability, food insecurity, and healthcare disparities,' said Dr. Byron Scott, CEO of Direct Relief. 'Community health centers and free and charitable clinics serve as vital anchors, providing not just medical care but comprehensive support including mental health counseling, housing assistance, and nutritional services. MusiCares' generous funding will empower safety-net providers to continue delivering the holistic care that Los Angeles communities urgently need.' Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) Pasadena Community Foundation has played a vital role in distributing critical resources to Altadena and surrounding communities, where many families were displaced, and community systems were overwhelmed. Through its Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund, PCF adopted a three-phase funding approach focused on immediate relief, stabilization and support, and long-term housing recovery. Phase 1: Emergency Relief Phase 2: Interim Housing, Children's Mental Health, Case Management, and Family and Childcare Support Phase 3: Rebuilding Housing in Altadena through Altadena Builds Back Foundation. In collaboration with Pasadena Unified School District and several other child health-centered nonprofits, including the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena and Pasadena Sierra Madre YMCA, PCF is now channeling funds into supporting mental health initiatives for children and subsidizing summer programming. These efforts aim to foster a sense of stability and healing for youth, particularly as the six-month post-trauma milestone—a common time when PTSD symptoms emerge—approaches this summer. 'Nonprofits in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre have been our partners on the ground for more than 70 years. Throughout the last three months, PCF has seen these organizations meet the moment in countless ways—disbursing cash assistance and emergency supplies, securing stable housing, addressing the unique challenges of older adults, rescuing and tending to lost and injured pets, and so much more. We are so grateful for the support of organizations like MusiCares, which allowed PCF to get resources to these organizations very quickly and begin our community's recovery,' said Jeannine Bogaard, VP of Community Impact at Pasadena Community Foundation. As Los Angeles continues to recover, MusiCares remains committed to seeing its music community through every phase of this journey. MusiCares has a long history of crisis response dating back to Hurricane Katrina and beyond and will continue to walk alongside those who have lost so much until they are fully back on their feet. For more information on the MusiCares Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort or to donate, please visit ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum ®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares ®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards ® — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the GRAMMY Awards and the Recording Academy, please visit and For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on X, 'like' Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. For media assets, please visit the Recording Academy's Press Room. MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit:
New York Post
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Music world's anti-Israel blinders, restore parents' opt-out rights and other commentary
Culture critic: Music World's Anti-Israel Blinders Commentary's Seth Mandel wasn't 'surprised' by the Coachella anti-Israel 'sloganeering'; bands think slamming it will further their careers. But it's 'strange' that music artists pay 'so much attention' to the Israel-Hamas war without acknowledging how it started: 'with the biggest music festival massacre in history.' Indeed, 'it requires an extraordinary level of sliminess to use the music stage to boost the army that carried out that massacre.' And Nova is just 'one of the many ways that the world's support for Hamas against Israel has exposed the hypocrisy of the self-styled liberal humanists.' When Recording Academy head Harvey Mason did recognize Oct. 7 in 2024, he contextualized it and never even mentioned Israel. Better than what's most common: 'Nova victims get nothing — or worse.' Schools beat: Restore Parents' Opt-Out Rights 'When my local school board stripped away parents' right to opt out of storybooks that promote controversial gender ideology, I knew I had to act,' sighs Billy Moges at RealClearPolitics. The Supreme Court must 'uphold the principle that it is parents — not government authorities — who should guide their children's education.' The Montgomery County Board of Education introduced new storybooks that 'went beyond teaching virtues and instead spotlighted themes like pride parades, gender transitions, and inappropriate romance for pre-kindergarten students,' and parents didn't want their children exposed to them. Before the opt-out ended, Maryland law and school-board policies allowed parents to have their kids skip 'classroom lessons that violated a family's faith.' Parents, the county should realize, are 'our children's primary teachers, not obstacles.' Foreign desk: An Untenable Ukraine-Peace Plan The terms of the Ukraine peace talks 'are unacceptable to all parties to this conflict save the Kremlin and the Trump administration,' thunders National Review's Noah Rothman — especially 'recognition of Russian sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula' and the US refusal to 'provide Kyiv with direct security guarantees or even a commitment to provide future assistance.' 'The administration does appear to be racing to conclude an agreement — any agreement that it can call a cease-fire — within the president's first 100 days in office. That political objective is now running counter to America's strategic interests.' In other words, it's 'clear what Donald Trump would get out of the conclusion of this framework. How his country benefits is another matter entirely.' From the right: Prove Your Critics Wrong, Pete 'The Beltway press would love to knock Pete Hegseth out as Defense secretary, but that doesn't come close to explaining the mess at the Pentagon,' quip The Wall Street Journal's editors — all the 'staff infighting, dismissals, and leaks over Signal app chats look to be the self-inflicted mistakes of a management neophyte.' Can Hegseth 'handle the job'? 'As GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell warned' in voting against his confirmation, 'the desire to be a change agent isn't a sufficient credential to run the giant Pentagon bureaucracy.' Hegseth should 'use the staff shakeup to hire some loyal grownups who know the building.' Remember, 'his calling card is enforcing high standards and accountability at every military level.' 'Is the secretary accountable himself?' Higher-ed watch: Trump's Right To Target Ivies 'Trump is on to something vital in trying to reform a higher education system that has long excluded conservative students and faculty while promoting a leftist agenda,' cheers USA Today's Nicole Russell. The president 'isn't wrong to leverage taxpayer dollars in an attempt to force Harvard' to 'review the ideological diversity of administrators, faculty and students.' 'A 2022 Harvard Crimson survey found that more than 80% of the university's faculty self-identified as liberal or very liberal,' and less than 2% 'said they are conservative.' 'It would be one thing for the university to favor progressives over conservatives in hiring if it didn't receive federal money,' but Trump is simply 'against taxpayers funding universities that teach America's young people to hate our country and Western values.' — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Recording Academy® and MusiCares® Partner With Direct Relief, the California Community Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation to Expand Fire Relief Efforts During 67th GRAMMY Awards® Telecast
SANTA MONICA, Calif., January 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles began, the Recording Academy® and MusiCares® immediately launched MusiCares Fire Relief to support impacted music people. Now, the Recording Academy and MusiCares are partnering with Direct Relief, the California Community Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation to bolster support for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. On the GRAMMY telecast, attendees, viewers, music industry partners, and corporate sponsors will be encouraged to donate throughout the show, and all funds raised from the telecast will be used to support this new partnership, which will serve not only Los Angeles area music professionals, but the broader needs of others impacted in the Los Angeles community. The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast will be broadcast live on Sun, Feb. 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live on Paramount+. "In addition to raising money for music people, we are proud to add these three incredible partners who are supporting the Los Angeles region in other ways to maximize our efforts of aiding those impacted by this crisis," said Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason jr. "We are so grateful to these organizations for their collaboration and look forward to bringing music professionals and fans together on Sunday, Feb. 2 to help rebuild and uplift Los Angeles and its people." Direct Relief is a California-based humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by emergencies and poverty. Since the Los Angeles wildfires began, Direct Relief has provided thousands of air-purifying masks and respiratory protection gear to residents, equipped first responders, and supplied community health centers with essential medications and financial assistance to support displaced residents. California Community Foundation (CCF) is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to building a stronger, more equitable Los Angeles County. Since 2003, CCF has provided critical disaster aid to communities across California to complement immediate relief and long-term recovery, ensuring the most impacted and vulnerable receive the help they need. To date, CCF has awarded over $15 million to more than 130 local nonprofits supporting victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) has been supporting Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre nonprofit organizations since 1953. The Foundation's Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund is focused specifically on assisting those impacted by the Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena. Since the start of the crisis, PCF has raised more than $8 million and has dispersed resources to 20 Altadena- and Pasadena-based nonprofits in its first round of funding. MusiCares Fire Relief is a dedicated campaign to support the people affected by the recent wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles Area. All money raised will remain in the community and be used to aid those impacted. To contribute money that will be exclusively used to support music people impacted by the Greater Los Angeles fires, please visit To contribute money that will be used to support music people and others impacted by the Greater Los Angeles fires, please visit Additional quotes for use: Direct Relief: Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief CEO: "For communities devastated by the Los Angeles wildfires, the road to recovery will be long, and the need for support will not end when the flames are extinguished. Direct Relief is committed to ensuring that those affected—whether displaced families, frontline responders or healthcare providers—receive the medical care, essential supplies and ongoing support they need today and for as long as it takes to rebuild. This partnership strengthens our ability to stand with these communities in their time of greatest need." California Community Foundation: Miguel Santana, President of the California Community Foundation: "Our path to recovery will be long, and will require the support of all in our community. Thanks to the generosity of thousands in Los Angeles, and across the world, we have raised more than $30 million and granted out $15 million to trusted organizations that provide essential services to the most affected and the most vulnerable. Through this incredible partnership with the Recording Academy and MusiCares, we will raise critical resources that will expand our capacity to build back LA strong." Pasadena Community Foundation: Jennifer DeVoll, President & CEO of Pasadena Community Foundation: "Since 1953, Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) has been embedded in the Greater Pasadena area—Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre are our core grantmaking communities. Because of that history, PCF understands the magnitude of loss in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire and has already disbursed $533,000 in relief grants through our Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund. We know Altadena in particular is a vibrant, artistic community, and we are incredibly grateful that the Recording Academy and MusiCares have chosen to partner with PCF to support local artists and all those impacted by this catastrophe." ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards® — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the GRAMMY Awards and the Recording Academy, please visit and For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on X (Twitter), "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. For media assets, please visit the Recording Academy Press Room. ABOUT MUSICARES MusiCares® helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy® in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: View source version on Contacts Daniela Tellechea Recording Sign in to access your portfolio
Nahar Net
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Nahar Net
How the Los Angeles wildfires will transform the 2025 Grammys
by Naharnet Newsdesk 29 January 2025, 16:20 The Grammy Awards will look a little bit different this week. Each year, the Recording Academy hosts a multitude of events to welcome the music industry during Grammy week and record labels do the same. However, many institutions have canceled their plans — Universal Music Group, Sony, Spotify, BMG and Warner Music Group among them — and instead are allocating resources to help those affected by the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires. The Grammys will still take place on Sunday at the Arena in Los Angeles but now will focus its attention on helping wildfire victims. How will Grammy week differ in 2025? Within days of fires ravaging the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods, the Recording Academy and its affiliated MusiCares charity launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort with a $1 million dollar donation. According to a letter sent to members on Jan. 13, thanks to additional contributions, they've already distributed $2 million in emergency aid. Once the fund was set up, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said they began focusing on reformatting what Grammy week would look like — many conversations conducted "on the road, mobile-y, virtually" as staffers had evacuated their homes. "That process has really consisted of reaching out to just listen and learn from a lot of people — state officials, local officials, the governor's office, the mayor's office, the fire department. We talked to hotel managers, just really trying to get a grasp on what was happening currently. What did they project was going to happen in the next week to 10 days? Would be safe to have a show?" Ultimately, the Recording Academy decided to condense its pre-Grammy week plans to just four events, each featuring a fundraising element. On Friday, MusiCares, an organization that helps music professionals who need financial, personal or medical assistance, will hold its annual Persons of the Year benefit gala celebrating the Grateful Dead. On Saturday, the Special Merit Awards Ceremony and Grammy nominees' reception will still take place, followed by Clive Davis' pre-Grammy fundraising event. Then the Grammys take the stage on Sunday. Events like the annual pre-Grammy Black Music Collective event, Grammy advocacy brunch, and others scheduled to take place at the immersive pop-up Grammy house have been canceled. "We thought consolidating the events would allow us to have more impact," Mason explains. "And we just don't feel it was the right time to have social gatherings or places to party or schmooze and just hang out. We wanted to have our events be places that could be purposeful and impactful. Some of the party settings, we decided to fold down into our fundraising efforts." How has the Grammy award show been reformatted? "Obviously, we can't have a normal show in the midst of people's belongings being burned or loss of life or other things like that. At the same time, canceling would not have helped," Mason says. "We needed to raise money. We needed to show unity and come together around music. We need to support the city of L.A. (Over) 6,500 people work on our shows and ancillary gatherings. So, once we decided to move forward, it was really a conversation with (Grammy producers) Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins and myself. And we started to think about, 'How do we make the show have the greatest impact?'" They decided the path forward was to still give out awards and host performances to give viewers and attendees a bespoke concert experience. But most importantly, the show could raise awareness, drive donations and resources to funds that benefit people in need. And the conversations are ongoing. "We have some great things in the show that will definitely help to raise funds," he assures. "It will honor some of the heroes that have been protecting our lives and our homes. It will hopefully shine a light on some people that need more help and more services." Don't expect a traditional telethon, but he says the show will feature announcements and activations in the arena. "Hopefully we'll be talking about things that have been pledged from the sponsors or from the community," he adds. How many Recording Academy members were affected by the fires? "We know right off the bat that we've got almost 3,000 requests for help from our members or people in the music community," Mason says. "So that was just in the first few days." The immediate needs have been "the basics," as he explains. "Food, water, shelter, the bare necessities to live." "The next phase will involve, you know, where they're going to live, how are they going to replace maybe damaged or destroyed instruments, studios. How will they make a living? I'm sure there'll be some mental health component that people may need assistance with. But it's really across the board. But the early, immediate relief is around just the bare necessities." Has anything like this happened before? There's no shortage of natural disasters, and they affect the music community too. Mason brings up the COVID-19 pandemic as a recent example. With MusiCares, they were able to contribute "over $40 million to people who needed help." They have the infrastructure to provide assistance quickly. However, he notes, the Grammys are the first major award show taking place after the wildfires, which means "there's no playbook for this." "But I've always said it all changes if the fires were to continue, or possibly got worse, or the winds changed. So, I always want to reserve that right. We're not going to go blindly forward if things are unsafe or if it feels inappropriate," he says. But consider the fundraising, the economic and financial impacts, and the possibility of unity, "It all makes sense for us to move forward."
Arab Times
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
How the LA wildfires will transform the 2025 Grammys
LOS ANGELES, Jan 28, (AP): The Grammy Awards will look a little bit different this week. Each year, the Recording Academy hosts a multitude of events to welcome the music industry during Grammy week and record labels do the same. However, many institutions have canceled their plans - Universal Music Group, Sony, Spotify, BMG and Warner Music Group among them - and instead are allocating resources to help those affected by the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires. The Grammys will still take place on Sunday at the Arena in Los Angeles but now will focus its attention on helping wildfire victims. Within days of fires ravaging the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods, the Recording Academy and its affiliated MusiCares charity launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort with a $1 million dollar donation. According to a letter sent to members on Jan. 13, thanks to additional contributions, they've already distributed $2 million in emergency aid. Once the fund was set up, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said they began focusing on reformatting what Grammy week would look like - many conversations conducted "on the road, mobile-y, virtually' as staffers had evacuated their homes. "That process has really consisted of reaching out to just listen and learn from a lot of people - state officials, local officials, the governor's office, the mayor's office, the fire department. We talked to hotel managers, just really trying to get a grasp on what was happening currently. What did they project was going to happen in the next week to 10 days? Would be safe to have a show?" Ultimately, the Recording Academy decided to condense its pre-Grammy week plans to just four events, each featuring a fundraising element. On Friday, MusiCares, an organization that helps music professionals who need financial, personal or medical assistance, will hold its annual Persons of the Year benefit gala celebrating the Grateful Dead. On Saturday, the Special Merit Awards Ceremony and Grammy nominees' reception will still take place, followed by Clive Davis' pre-Grammy fundraising event. Then the Grammys take the stage on Sunday. Events like the annual pre-Grammy Black Music Collective event, Grammy advocacy brunch, and others scheduled to take place at the immersive pop-up Grammy house have been canceled. "We thought consolidating the events would allow us to have more impact,' Mason explains. "And we just don't feel it was the right time to have social gatherings or places to party or schmooze and just hang out. We wanted to have our events be places that could be purposeful and impactful. Some of the party settings, we decided to fold down into our fundraising efforts.' "Obviously, we can't have a normal show in the midst of people's belongings being burned or loss of life or other things like that. At the same time, canceling would not have helped,' Mason says. "We needed to raise money. We needed to show unity and come together around music. We need to support the city of L.A. (Over) 6,500 people work on our shows and ancillary gatherings. So, once we decided to move forward, it was really a conversation with (Grammy producers) Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins and myself. And we started to think about, 'How do we make the show have the greatest impact?'' They decided the path forward was to still give out awards and host performances to give viewers and attendees a bespoke concert experience. But most importantly, the show could raise awareness, drive donations and resources to funds that benefit people in need. And the conversations are ongoing. "We have some great things in the show that will definitely help to raise funds," he assures. "It will honor some of the heroes that have been protecting our lives and our homes. It will hopefully shine a light on some people that need more help and more services.' Don't expect a traditional telethon, but he says the show will feature announcements and activations in the arena. "Hopefully we'll be talking about things that have been pledged from the sponsors or from the community,' he adds. "We know right off the bat that we've got almost 3,000 requests for help from our members or people in the music community,' Mason says. "So that was just in the first few days.' The immediate needs have been "the basics,' as he explains. "Food, water, shelter, the bare necessities to live.' "The next phase will involve, you know, where they're going to live, how are they going to replace maybe damaged or destroyed instruments, studios. How will they make a living? I'm sure there'll be some mental health component that people may need assistance with. But it's really across the board. But the early, immediate relief is around just the bare necessities.' There's no shortage of natural disasters, and they affect the music community too. Mason brings up the COVID-19 pandemic as a recent example. With MusiCares, they were able to contribute "over $40 million to people who needed help.' They have the infrastructure to provide assistance quickly. However, he notes, the Grammys are the first major award show taking place after the wildfires, which means "there's no playbook for this." "But I've always said it all changes if the fires were to continue, or possibly got worse, or the winds changed. So, I always want to reserve that right. We're not going to go blindly forward if things are unsafe or if it feels inappropriate," he says. But consider the fundraising, the economic and financial impacts, and the possibility of unity, "It all makes sense for us to move forward.'
