Nashville-Based Trade Organization Expands Services for Affected
Music Industry Professionals Including Additional Food Supplies,
Mental Health Resources and Human Services Guidance
CMA Establishes Music Industry Alliance in Partnership with
More Than 20 Fellow Organizations and Associations
Music Industry Professionals in Need Can Visit CMA’s Music Industry Covid Support Resources Platform
and Join Informational Webinar Thursday, Dec. 10 to Learn More
CMA has further committed its support to music business professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through its Music Industry Covid Support (MICS) initiative. Since March, the Nashville-based trade organization has taken action to support not only its membership and Country Music base but those in the music business at large affected by the ongoing health crisis.
“The music industry has been silenced, and our people are currently facing something that no one could have ever anticipated having to deal with,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “What we want most is to communicate to any of our colleagues in need that they can reach out to us for direction and support. The music community, regardless of genre, is in this together, and we are ready and willing to help anyone currently struggling.”
CMA has taken a three-tiered approach in its Music Industry Covid Support plan.
Understanding Industry Needs
Since the pandemic’s onset, CMA has focused on understanding the industry’s needs while analyzing data and conducting research in real time to determine the best course of action. As the exact needs of music industry professionals continues to evolve, CMA’s Music Industry Covid Support Resources platform provides a place to communicate directly with CMA—whether to ask for assistance, provide feedback or donate to CMA’s efforts—as well as a wealth of resources relating to topics including addiction/substance abuse, education and employment, housing and homelessness, family services, financial, food security, health, legal services, mental health, technology, webinars and much more. Additionally, as an offering of direct financial support, CMA donated $1 million to MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund, which assisted out-of-work music industry professionals with financial aid towards mortgage and rent costs, as well as $100,000 to Music Health Alliance, supporting the nonprofit and their essential work providing free healthcare advocacy and support to those within the music business. CMA will continue to provide financial support through various organizations in the coming months, some of which will be announced next week.
Providing Support Services
Based on direct feedback from those affected and ongoing research, CMA is prioritizing three critical needs at this time, which include offering numerous mental health resources, aiding those who are food insecure, and providing human services guidance as it relates to career and financial direction. CMA continues to work with a number of organizations and companies that offer expertise in these specific areas to broker partnerships and provide financial support that directly benefits those music industry personnel in need. Recent efforts include providing Thanksgiving meals and additional food supplies direct to families in need through Second Harvest and Musically Fed, confirming the addition of music industry families to Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program and job opportunities around the Red Kettle campaign, as well as offering career support for music professionals through annual memberships to FlexJobs. Additional companies and organizations CMA has funded include The Store, Music Health Alliance, MusiCares, Pinnacle Financial and Career Spa.
Looking to the Future
While countless industries have been affected by the health crisis, the live events sector has been shattered and will be one of the last industries to return to normalcy. According to research, over 50,000 jobs have been impacted in the state of Tennessee alone. Looking ahead at how to successfully support the music business’ reopening, CMA is currently leading the Music Industry Alliance, a group of more than 20 music organizations and associations each involved in efforts to support music professionals. CMA operates as a connector and facilitator to bring these groups together and maintain structure and organization among all individual recovery efforts.
As a next step, CMA will host an informational webinar on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 12:30 PM/CT to further outline resources and services that are available to the industry. Click HERE for more information. Additionally, CMA will continue to engage with local and federal government officials to drive support for the industry overall.
