CMA Packs 14 Road Cases With Donated Goods During Week-Long Music Industry COVID Support (MICS) Donation Drive Supporting Nashville’s Music Industry

The volunteer spirit of Nashvillians turned out during the Country Music Association‘s week-long donation drive benefitting Musically Fed, a nonprofit supporting music industry personnel affected by the pandemic. The drive, which took place at CMA’s Music Row office March 15-19, resulted in 14 road cases full of goods to be distributed at Musically Fed’s food drive-thru on Saturday, March 27. The Nashville music community showed their support with Country artists Frankie Ballard, Shy Carter, Easton Corbin, Adam Doleac, Brooke Eden, Ross Ellis, Johnny Gates, Kelsey Lamb, Tyra Madison, Ian Munsick, Kelby Ray of The Cadillac Three, Michael Ray, Payton Smith, Track45, Matt Thomas from the band Parmalee, Emma White and Lainey Wilson all coming out to deliver goods and support the drive. BBR Music Group also made a label donation of over $1,000 worth of goods to support the organizations’ efforts.  

“We are so proud to have partnered with Musically Fed to host this donation drive and continue their efforts in providing resources for music industry professionals in need,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The pandemic has rattled our industry and Musically Fed has continuously provided ways to give support to those hurting during this time. It’s been amazing to see the Nashville community come together last week, and we are honored to play a part in helping those in our industry get back on their feet so that we can bring the music back bigger and better than ever.” 

“The spirit of community was never more prevalent than during the Country Music Association’s week-long food drive this past week,” says Maria Brunner, Musically Fed Founder and Director. “We are simply stunned by not only the amount of food raised but by how the artist community turned out in-person and on social media. Add to that a passionate, energized CMA staff who was absolutely committed to this. So many people in our industry in need will be able to take full advantage of the huge mountain of items donated. We applaud, celebrate, and thank the Country Music Association and the music industry of Nashville.” 

Individuals were able to donate both in-person and online through Musically Fed’s Amazon Wishlist. Donations included toiletries (toothpaste, laundry detergent, dish and hand soaps, body wash, shaving cream, toilet paper and paper towels) and food (dried pasta and sauce, oatmeal, cereal, canned fish/meat/fruits/vegetables, soup, crackers, rice, quinoa, dry beans, peanut butter and nuts).   

Musically Fed typically works with artists, promoters, management and venues to donate unused backstage meals to community organizations that feed the homeless, hungry and food insecure. In response to the health crisis, Musically Fed stepped up to the plate when it saw its own industry in need of assistance. Mobilizing in cities heavily populated with music professionals, Musically Fed has and will continue to host drive-thru events where cars will be able to receive food supplies. The next drive-thru in Nashville is set to be held on March 27. Individuals in the live entertainment/music industry wishing to register should contact [email protected] or call 480-951-1882. To learn more, visit MusicallyFed.org.

The drive is the latest installment in CMA’s ongoing Music Industry Covid Support (MICS) initiative and follows several previously announced nonprofit investments funded through a $3 million long-term COVID-19 commitment that began in early 2020. Additional nonprofit investments through the MICS initiative include Music Health Alliance, MusiCares, Notes for Notes, Porter’s Call, The Store and Touring Professionals Alliance Kitchen.