Bonamassa launches Coronavirus relief program for musicians
Today myself along with Keeping The Blues Alive launched “The Fueling Musicians “ program to help be a small part in getting bands and artist back on the road. If you can donate please go to https://t.co/ux6GAWrSlv to help us help our friends and fellow musicians Thanks .. 😎👍 pic.twitter.com/yJM3tLXKCF
— Joe Bonamassa (Official) (@JBONAMASSA) April 27, 2020
To kick off this fundraising initiative, KTBA and Joe are funding $25,000 to be immediately available for touring musicians in need. Initial funding will be generated from several sources, including the sale of Joe Bonamassa’s prototype JB signature amp, used on tour and specially selected from his personal and renowned collection. To increase the initial backing, KTBA is actively organizing plans to support this program through multiple fundraising platforms, with all proceeds going directly to Fueling Musicians. For his birthday May 8, Joe will have a week-long fundraiser on Facebook to help raise additional funds. Currently in development, he will also host a special stream-a-thon event which will feature exclusive performances and is slated to take place sometime in May.
We are in a critical time in the music business and I want to see as many bands and artists survive and flourish going forward when they are given the green light to tour again,” expresses Joe. For the last seven years Joe has hosted his popular and sold-out Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea music festival, bringing together both living legends and emerging talent alike. Through this event, he has invested his resources into helping promote the 100+ skilled musicians and their careers, and taken it upon himself to not only curate the performances, but also mentor young musicians who now look to him for guidance in both music and the industry. He looks forward to extending his contributions to the blues community and artists overall through this new initiative.
Individuals or organizations interested in helping Joe support this program should go the Keeping the Blues Alive website, ktba.org or ktba.org/fueling-musicians
Artists who would like to be considered for financial aid can fill out an application via ktba.org/fueling-musicians-program-application-form/