Music Companies Unite to Appeal to Congress for Financial Relief

Dynamo appears to walk through a border wall dividing Mexico and the US in footage from his new TV programme.

By Mark David

As the coronavirus pandemic has brought much of the music industry — and most industries — to a standstill, MusiCares has emerged as the leading relief resource for the untold thousands of music professionals impacted by the crisis.

Over two dozen students have tested positive for coronavirus from the University of Texas after going to Mexico for spring break.

Of the many home concerts that have been streamed in the past two weeks, few stand close to the solidarity and emotion of “Argentina Canta La Cigarra.”

Amber Midthunder didn’t have to go far from home to film her role in “Roswell, New Mexico.”

While it might seem counterintuitive that music streams would decline at a time when so many Americans were ordered to stay home, data-savvy label executives were neither startled nor concerned by the 7.6% drop in plays that happened in the March 13-19 tracking week. Simply put, the say it’s down to focus on news and other televised options; the loss of daily commutes, where many people stream music; and multiple people at home together streaming the same things.

With the goal of supporting those affected by the coronavirus outbreak, many esports and gaming organizations are coming together to host live-stream events amid the global pandemic that currently sees almost all Americans social-distancing to curb the crisis.

New York production company American High is calling for volunteers to help assemble face masks for health care workers fighting coronavirus.

On Wednesday, The White House signed into law a coronavirus aid package expanding unemployment benefits and ensuring paid emergency leave for workers.

More than two dozen music and entertainment companies joined together Friday (March 20) to send a joint letter to the United States Congress asking for financial relief as the coronavirus crisis continues to ripple throughout the country.

During its peak season, Detroit's Motown Museum welcomes up to 450 fans per day touring the original Hitsville USA facility. Right now, however, it's not the same old song.

By Malgosia Kwasniewska