Music Artists Coalition Lobbies President Trump For Live Music Business Aid

Music Artists Coalition
 – Music Artists Coalition
The Music Artists Coalition sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin on March 18 pleading for support for the “hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on the live music business.”
Signatories on the letter include Lizzo, John Mayer, Maren Morris, Anderson .Paak, Charlie XCX, Cold War Kids, ODESZA, Little Big Town, Stevie Nicks, Steve Miller, Diplo, Sheryl Crow, Def Leppard, Dave Matthews, Lionel Richie, and Sara Bareilles.
The letter says that the cancellation of tours, concerts, festivals, and other events have left many in the industry without any form of income. 
“Concerts are not just about the headliner,” the letter reads. “The foundation of live music are the touring musicians, truck and bus drivers, stagehands, production teams, crews who handle lighting, sound, equipment, security, and so many others [who] do not have any option for work as there are no live events for the foreseeable future.” 
It goes on to say that he music industry is facing “an existential threat that is unprecedented,” and that music industry workers are a group “most in need” of government assistance.
The president has previously promised that several forms of financial relief will be made available to small businesses and those most affected by the economic consequences of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, but at press time it was unclear how funds would be distributed, and to whom. 
MAC was formed by Irving Azoff (who is a founder of Oak View Group, Pollstar’s parent company), Coran Capshaw and John Silva, a group of artists, songwriters and artist representatives in 2019. Azoff, Capshaw and Silva were all signatories on the letter.

For those affected, MusiCares has announced a relief fund for industry workers affected by COVID-19. In Australia, the website ILostMyGig.net.Au has been created for those who have lost work. In addition, Independent Venue Week and FestForums are organizing calls to try to keep those most affected by the virus informed of dangers.