LOS ANGELES – This week, the Grammy Awards will take on a new look.
Typically, Grammy week is filled with events as the music industry gathers to celebrate. However, many institutions, including Universal Music Group and other major labels, have canceled their plans. Instead, they are directing their efforts toward relief for those impacted by the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
The Grammys will still happen this Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena, but the focus will shift to helping wildfire victims. This includes a significant donation and fundraising efforts from the Recording Academy and its charity, MusiCares.
Just days after the fires devastated neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Altadena, the Recording Academy launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, starting with a $1 million donation. They have since gathered enough support to distribute $2 million in emergency aid.
CEO Harvey Mason Jr. explained that the academy quickly rethought Grammy week. Many conversations about how to move forward happened virtually as staff members evacuated their homes. They reached out to local officials and community leaders to understand the situation and determine if hosting events was safe.
Ultimately, the plan was simplified to just four key events, each contributing to fundraising efforts. On Friday, MusiCares will honor the Grateful Dead at its annual Persons of the Year gala. Saturday will feature the Special Merit Awards Ceremony and a reception for Grammy nominees, followed by Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy fundraiser.
The main Grammy event will take place on Sunday. However, many previously scheduled gatherings, like the Black Music Collective event and Grammy advocacy brunch, have been canceled in favor of a more impactful approach.
“We felt it wasn’t the right time for casual parties,” Mason shared. “We want our events to be meaningful and contribute to relief efforts.”
The Grammy Awards will still celebrate music with performances and award presentations. But this year, they also aim to raise awareness and funds for those in need. The team is crafting the show to ensure it highlights the people affected by the fires and honors the heroes working to protect the community.
Though the show won’t be a traditional telethon, there will be announcements and initiatives throughout the event to encourage donations. The aim is to raise funds to help those in dire situations following the fires, which have already led to nearly 3,000 requests for assistance from members of the music community.
The immediate needs are for basic essentials like food, water, and shelter. Moving forward, the support will expand to assist with longer-term needs such as housing and replacing lost instruments.
In the past, disasters have prompted relief efforts within the music community, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic when MusiCares provided over $40 million in aid. This year’s Grammys are unique, as there hasn’t been a major award show following such a disaster before. There’s no clear guide on how to handle this situation.
Still, the team is committed to holding the ceremony as a way to unite and support the city of Los Angeles. They are aware of the possible impacts that ongoing fires could have, but they believe moving forward with the show will help raise funds and foster community spirit.
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For more coverage of this year’s Grammy Awards, visit: www.apnews.com/GrammyAwards
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Jesse Collins,U.S. news,Clive Davis,Ben Winston,Entertainment,Harvey Mason Jr.
