Keep Charlotte Music Alive - New Fund Launch

In many ways, it seems as if the world around us has stopped. In place of our usual activities, there are instead waves of emotions. Fear, pain, sorrow. But also joy, celebration, and love.

But you can’t stop the music. Even as we socially distance and self-isolate, music continues to comfort, bring joy, and inspires hope.

Music is there for us. Now, we need to be there for music. Music is an essential element of a healthy, thriving, inclusive city. Charlotte's music community is broad, deep, diverse, talented, and dedicated. And right now, our music community is hurting. 

Even in good times, making a living in music in Charlotte is challenging. According to our research, 22% of Charlotte music professionals have no other income besides music. In 2017, only 8% earned at or above the area median income. Most make less than $10,000 per year from music.

Now, all at once, that number is almost zero. Many in our Charlotte music community also work as bartenders, servers in restaurants, ride-share drivers. That income, also, has dried up.

In response, Music Everywhere CLT in partnership with FAIR PLAY Music Equity Initiative and Tosco Music has launched the Charlotte Music Community COVID-19 Relief Fund. The fund will assist those in the local music community hit hardest by the effects of COVID-19. Learn more here.

With your help, we can help keep Charlotte music alive, and, together, ensure that when this crisis is behind us, Charlotte music will be there to lead us out of this, stronger than ever.

If you are able, we encourage you to think about what you normally would be spending on live shows and donate it to this fund. Then do it again. Then tell others.

Every size donation matters, but if you give $65 or more, you’ll receive a limited-edition Keep Charlotte Music Alive t-shirt. The shirt features the graphic above, designed by Dave Haire, and is produced in partnership with Recover Brands. 

Wear it with pride the next time we gather to nod heads at Player Made at Snug Harbor, thrash at Skylark Social Club, stomp and holler at Neighborhood Theatre, applaud appreciatively at Evening Muse, jam at the Visulite, mosh at the Milestone, smile at Middle C, well, you get the picture.

Let’s do this, Charlotte.