Sweet Relief Joins Spark , A New BMI Program to Help Music Creators Thrive Throughout Their Career3/11/2025  Sweet Relief is excited to be a part of the launch of BMI's Spark, an exciting new program designed to help music creators thrive throughout every stage of their career. Available to BMI songwriters, composers and producers, Spark features exclusive offers and special discounts on leading music creation tools and tech, valuable career insights, educational content and health and wellness resources, all tailored to ignite the creative development, lifestyles and well-being of BMI’s affiliates.
BMI’s music creators can access Spark through the company’s online services portal for more information about each of the special offers available to them. As the program develops and expands, more partners and offerings will be added to even further serve BMI’s family of songwriters, composers and producers.
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Performing at various “perches” on Sunset Blvd., artists will include Dustbowl Revival, Ruby Friedman Orchestra, Living Sisters, Tony Gilkyson, Rick Shea, Ted Russell Kamp, Hollywood Highsteppers, Fernando Perdomo, and Ilana Katz Katz  LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The music community wasted no time in coming to the aid of those rendered homeless following the January wildfires in and around Los Angeles, with benefit concerts popping up in arenas, theaters, nightclubs and roadhouses. Now a fleet of buskers will take to the streets for Busk-Aid, a benefit featuring both local and out-of-town performers gathering in the 1800 block of the city’s Sunset Blvd., in Echo Park, on Sunday, March 30, from 3-8 p.m.
Busk-Aid is presented in association with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, who will donate proceeds where most needed among musicians displaced in the fires. The Wild Honey Foundation, an organization devoted to passing on the passion, creativity, and idealism found in rock, R&B, folk, and pop music to future generations, is helping with logistics for the festival. The event is free, with performers stationed at The Echo, Stories BooksCafe, Masa and Señor Fish, all located at or around the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and LeMoyne St. in the heart of L.A.’s Echo Park. Although the music will be free, Busk-Aid is asking for folks to donate to Sweet Relief's Natural Disaster Relief Fund on their contribution page HERE.  Donate to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and support musicians and music industry workers impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina—and you could win an unforgettable trip to join Rhiannon Giddens for the first inaugural Biscuits & Banjos Festival in Durham, NC!
This unique trip includes round-trip travel and a 3-night hotel stay for two, plus weekend passes to enjoy incredible performances across multiple venues from April 25-27, 2025. The highlight? A biscuit-baking session and breakfast hang with the festival’s curator, the legendary Rhiannon Giddens. You'll also take home a banjo signed by Rhiannon and a swag bag featuring an embroidered apron, biscuit cutter, local honey, golden banjo pin, and a Biscuits & Banjos tote. Founded by GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens, the festival celebrates Black music, art, and culture in her home state of North Carolina. Don’t miss your chance to meet this iconic artist and experience the rich history and community spirit of Biscuits & Banjos! Help those impacted by Hurricane Helene for your chance to win a weekend of music for the first ever Biscuits & Banjos in Durham, NC this Spring! Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio, Billy Strings, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Mike Gordon, Widespread Panic, Warren Haynes & More Join the Effort to Support LA Wildfire Relief In Partnership with Song Summit Foundation & Fandiem For more information, please visit helponthewayla.org  Help on the Way LA was created in response to the widespread destruction caused by the Altadena wildfires, which displaced families, destroyed homes, and left entire communities struggling to rebuild. Organized by Eric “Kraz” Krasno in partnership with the Song Summit Foundation & Fandiem, the initiative is rallying musicians and fans to provide urgent support to children and musicians who have lost everything.
“As many of you know, our neighborhood was nearly destroyed by the Eaton fire. My son’s school burned, and countless friends lost their homes and surrounding community. In the midst of the madness, I decided to reach out to friends in the music community to raise some money and help those in need…. In partnership with Song Summit Foundation we started HELP ON THE WAY LA. Right away so many amazing artists got involved and signed instruments, photos & merch that we will be up for auction and sweepstakes through Fandiem following our benefit show at the Lodge Room in LA. So far we have signed guitars from Dave Matthews, Billy Strings, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Trey Anastasio, John Scofield and many others plus signed photos from Bob Weir, Mike Gordon and a list of other items being added. Our beneficiaries include the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club, which has been providing mental health and physical support to displaced children/families and hundreds of children who lost their schools in the fires, as well as Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which is assisting musicians who lost their homes and instruments. I wanna send a Huge thanks to the massive generosity from Gibson guitars, Beth Heidt, D’Angelico guitars, Justin Frieddman, Jay Blakesberg for the amazing prints, and of course Song Summit, Ross James and Fandiem for helping put this all together. Please go to HelpOnTheWayLA.org to for more info.” -Eric Krasno “We believe in the power of music to bring people together, heal, and create real impact. The devastation caused by the LA fires has left so many in need, and as a foundation dedicated to using music for wellness and community support, we feel compelled to act. This benefit concert and auction will not only raise critical funds for those affected but also serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience that music can inspire in times of crisis.” -Paige Anderson, Founder of Song Summit Foundation Beneficiaries of Help on the Way LA include the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club, which has been providing support to hundreds of children who lost their schools and homes, and Sweet Relief, which is assisting musicians who lost their homes and instruments. Fans can donate through Fandiem for a chance to win unique prizes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences from some of the world’s most legendary artists, including:
More prizes and exclusive opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks, keeping the fundraising efforts alive as the need continues beyond the news cycle.  David Johansen and his wife Mara Hennessey David Johansen passed away peacefully at home, holding the hands of his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah, in the sunlight surrounded by music and flowers. After a decade of profoundly compromised health he died of natural causes at the age of 75. David and his family were deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support they’ve experienced recently as the result of having gone public with their challenges. He was thankful that he had a chance to be in touch with so many friends and family before he passed. He knew he was ecstatically loved. "My mother and I would like to thank everyone for the fathomless love and support you’ve all shown us since we went public with David’s diagnosis.
We were able to make the last few weeks of David’s life with us as serene and anxiety free as possible. As well as alleviating some of our more pressing material concerns, this campaign did make David feel profoundly connected. He really did feel the love from everyone. For the time being we will leave the fund open to contributions, to continue to pay off the debts accrued during David’s long illness. We will share details about memorials and tributes soon. There will be several events celebrating David’s life and artistry, details to follow. Thank you so much for the …LUV Love, Leah and Mara" Including performances and interviews by Dawes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Moby, Goose, Butch Walker, Pete Yorn, Margaret Cho, Dan Wilson of Semisonic, and more. Fans can bid on special items including autographed vinyl from “Weird Al” Yankovic, AFI, equipment and music gear, autographed drum heads, festival wristbands, and more. Courtesy of Cause Concerts  Los Angeles, CA (February 24, 2025) – In response to the devastating wildfires that have displaced countless musicians and industry professionals, the team behind Musicians for Kamala is launching Musicians For Fire Relief—a global livestream and auction to support the Los Angeles music community. In partnership with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, the event will raise critical funds for those affected, providing grants for housing, medical bills, groceries, and essentials. “What makes this event so unique is that it is dedicated to directly supporting the people who make our industry thrive,” says Jacob Tell, co-producer. Musicians for Fire Relief began as a grassroots initiative of industry professionals, all donating their time and talents to help produce this event. “Our community is built on collaboration, and we were luckily able to crowdsource some amazing professionals to help,” shares Shelly Hartman, co-producer alongside Erik Koral, who added, “Seeing the devastation, I knew we had to rally together all our friends to produce a special event, a love letter to LA—celebrating its legacy and music while supporting those who have lost everything.” Taking place on March 6, 2025, at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET, on the official website, Nugs.net, and YouTube, the event will feature exclusive performances, interviews, and an auction of rare memorabilia, autographed instruments, posters, and more. Hosted by radio legend Nic Harcourt, with interviews by Lyndsey Parker and Steve Baltin, the night will highlight iconic Los Angeles artists and legendary songs inspired by the city. Confirmed talent includes Dawes, Moby, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Goose, Butch Walker, Margaret Cho, Dan Wilson (Semisonic), Fran Healy (Travis), Nathan East, Chris Pierce, Asdru Sierra (Ozomatli), and Lol Tolhurst (Co-Founder of The Cure). Fans can now bid on autographed vinyl from “Weird Al” Yankovic, Davey Havok of AFI, REMO drum heads signed by legendary drummer James Gadson, gear including a Focusrite Audio Recording Interface, Novation MIDI controller, and a pair of Adam Studio Headphones, alongside concert tickets + wristbands for music festivals. New auction items will be added daily. Bidding is open until 11:59 PM, Aug 6th. Event Details: 📅 Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025 ⏰ Time: 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET 📍 Location: Stream the event on our Official Website, Nugs.net and YouTube. 🔗 RSVP & Donate: www.musiciansforfirerelief.com 📲 Follow: @MusiciansForFireRelief on all platforms Join us for an unforgettable night of music and community. Your participation—whether by watching, donating, or bidding on exclusive auction items—directly helps those in need. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides services and financial assistance for career musicians and music industry professionals. Grants are earmarked for medical and vital living expenses, including insurance premiums, prescriptions, medical treatment and operative procedures, housing costs, food costs, utilities, and other necessities.
Connect with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X For Sweet Relief Musicians Fund press inquiries please contact: Jeff Kilgour | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 917.678.4420 Allie Gruensfelder | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 201.864.0900 x264  New York, NY (February 13, 2025) - In 2019, Electro-pop artist & actress, Viola Odette Harlow was diagnosed with Prinzmetal Angina Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Spasms), Lupus, AFIB, Atrial Tachycardia, EDS, Hashimoto, Anemia, and Asthma. Despite her home escaping the devastation of the SoCal wildfires, it has further debilitated her cardiac and breathing conditions, which is why Sweet Relief relaunched the Viola Odette Harlow Fund. Celebrating her 37th birthday this week, in lieu of gifts, Harlow asks fans to consider donating to her ongoing medical needs. As Prinzmetal Angina is a rare disease, insurance rarely covers medications and testing. The doctors worked hard in the Cardiac ICU to keep her stable and alive but it racked up 150k medical debt plus ongoing medications, testing, and hospitalizations. The condition is not only rare, it's dangerous and unpredictable so she makes the most of every good day and does what she loves, as well as caring for her habitat of pets that comfort her on bad days. She is dependent on 13 medications for her heart and to suppress her immune system. She requires a very expensive nitroglycerin spray for heart spasms. Her testing is ongoing as they monitor the heart's health during flares for damage. Viola Odette Harlow shares “I keep waiting to feel better, or get some unexpected residual payment, but it’s only gotten worse. I’m letting my body down by not being able to afford getting the proper treatment I need. I only have one set of arteries and micro vessels and their damage is hell enough, I don’t want them to get worse. These problems are treatable. Things feel overwhelming, and being behind on income due to being bedridden, it’s feeling like an impossible time and place to be here.” Bill Bennett, President at Sweet Relief Musicians Fund adds “Viola is an extraordinary artist and her healthcare situation is indicative of what many musicians face, just more extreme. Our hope is to raise enough money so that she can focus on creating more great music instead of having to choose between what her doctors recommend and buying groceries or paying rent.” Viola Odette Harlow has been working in the industry since she was six years old. Last year her album Main Character, under her music project Glüme was named one of the Best Of 2023 in Rolling Stone. She is currently working on her third album and can't wait to share it with the world, but she needs help to offset her medical debt. For more information on the Viola Odette Harlow Fund, visit: https://www.sweetrelief.org/violaodetteharlowfund.html Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides services and financial assistance for career musicians and music industry professionals. Grants are earmarked for medical and vital living expenses, including insurance premiums, prescriptions, medical treatment and operative procedures, housing costs, food costs, utilities, and other basic necessities.
Connect with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X For Sweet Relief Musicians Fund press inquiries please contact: Jeff Kilgour | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 917.678.4420 Brendan Bourke | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 347.564.2927 Allie Gruensfelder | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 201.864.0900 x264  LIVE 2/28 @ 4:00p PST—Pour a glass of NEW deliciously uplifting ButterLight and JaM into the weekend with #JaMHappyHour benefiting Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund—featuring LIVE music from Canaan Cox! Hosted by iHeartRadio’s Jana Sutter—tune in on Facebook and YouTube, @JaMCellars, for an hour of sips, cheers, doin’ good—we’re donating $1, up to $2,500, for every like, comment, and share made during the show!
After raising over $100,000 in the last four years, JaM Cellars has committed a minimum $30,000 through 2025 and YOU can help! We’re donating $1 for every click, like and share made during JaMHappyHour benefiting Sweet Relief, up to $2,500 per show. We have hosted amazing artists including Mondo Cozmo, Emily Kinney, Robert DeLong and Lisa Loeb. Every month, we’ll be sipping delish wines and JaMming for a good cause with an extra special guest artist. Stay connected on social @JaMCellars to learn about NEW ways to help support Sweet Relief.  Donate To Win a Slash-signed Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s in Tobacco Burst—an iconic guitar, autographed and illustrated by the legend himself! This isn’t just any Les Paul. The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s is a tribute to the golden era of rock, built to deliver the warm tones and searing sustain that shaped generations of music. With a solid mahogany body, Burstbucker™ pickups, and a vintage 50s neck profile, this guitar is crafted for pure, unfiltered power. Now, add Slash’s signature to the mix, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind collector’s piece that’s as legendary as the man who signed it.  A two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and legendary artist, Graham Nash has left an indelible mark on the music world, from the British Invasion with The Hollies to the Laurel Canyon movement with Crosby, Stills & Nash. With your donation, you’ll be entered to win a Fender CD-60 Acoustic Guitar in a striking Sunburst finish, personally signed by Nash and inscribed with the iconic lyric “Teach Your Children.”
Your support not only honors his legacy but also helps musicians and industry professionals recover and rebuild after the L.A. fires.  David Johansen with his wife, Mara Hennessey. Photo credit: Gerry Visco New York, NY (February 10, 2025) - Just five years ago, amid the beginning of the pandemic, singer/songwriter David Johansen discovered his aggressive cancer had progressed and he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, leading to complications ever since. He has not made his diagnosis public as he is generally a very private person, however due to the increasingly severe financial burden his family is facing, he is ready to share his story. On top of the cancer diagnosis, David took a fall on the day after Thanksgiving and broke his back in two places, which required surgery. Despite a successful procedure, David is completely bedridden and incapacitated, relying on around the clock care. To continue his treatment and give him the best chance of recovery, David will need full time assistance.
Assisting in the Johansen family recovery efforts, Sweet Relief launched the David Johansen Fund. The most immediate needs are full time nursing, physical therapy and funding for day to day vital living expenses. With professional specialized care, the Johansen family remains hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence. Johansen shares “We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends & family, carrying on, but this tumble the day after Thanksgiving really brought us to a whole new level of debilitation. This is the worst pain i’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’ve never been one to ask for help but this is an emergency. Thank you.” Aric Steinberg, Executive Director at Sweet Relief Musicians Fund adds “Sweet Relief is honored to help David and his family during this difficult time in their lives. Our Directed Artist Funds can provide a meaningful solution when the community rallies around the recipient, and we anticipate that David’s community will be eager to help here. His influence on the musical landscape with the New York Dolls is indelible, and his career as an actor and an artist has touched many people around the world. He’s been knocked down but we’re here to help him back up with the help of his family, friends and wider community of supporters.” David was recently the subject of Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi’s documentary Personality Crisis: One Night Only which brilliantly captures an evening of David’s songs and storytelling, and gives a little context to the wild tapestry of David’s life. David was the lead singer and songwriter of the legendary New York Dolls, widely acknowledged as one of the first (and coolest) punk bands. David started his own group, the David Johansen band, before reinventing himself yet again in the 1980s as Buster Poindexter. Inspired by his passion for the blues and arcane American folk music David formed the group The Harry Smiths, and toured the world performing the songs of Howlin’ Wolf with Hubert Sumlin and Levon Helm. Of all these incarnations, David is most often recognized for his work in a handful of beloved films, like the Christmas classic Scrooged, and the race track comedy Let it Ride. He continues to host his weekly radio show “The Mansion of Fun” on Sirius XM. David had an exhibition of his paintings in New York this past summer at Elliot Templeton Fine Arts gallery. For more information on the David Johansen Fund, visit: https://www.sweetrelief.org/davidjohansenfund.html Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides services and financial assistance for career musicians and music industry professionals. Grants are earmarked for medical and vital living expenses, including insurance premiums, prescriptions, medical treatment and operative procedures, housing costs, food costs, utilities, and other basic necessities. ### Connect with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X For Sweet Relief Musicians Fund press inquiries please contact: Jeff Kilgour | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 917.678.4420 Brendan Bourke | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 347.564.2927 Allie Gruensfelder | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 201.864.0900 x264 ALL PROCEEDS TO SWEET RELIEF FEATURING UNRELEASED RECORDINGS FROM NICK CAVE, PJ HARVEY, GARY NUMAN, DEVO, PRIMAL SCREAM + MORE LISTEN TO “CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’” FROM JARVIS COCKER HERE EXCLUSIVELY ON BANDCAMP, PURCHASE HERE  NEW YORK, NY (February 6, 2025) - Today, we are pleased to share news on LOS ANGELES RISING, a benefit comp for Los Angles Fire Victims. The comp was crystallized and brought into being by a stellar team from the music community of LA.
Together, musician Kevin Haskins (Love and Rockets, Bauhaus) and Record Producer Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, IDLES) merged to create this compilation after witnessing the tragic destruction of the homes and livelihoods of so many fellow artists in the LA wild fires. LOS ANGELES RISING is out and tips its hat to the amazing musicians who donated music. It features artwork by Shepard Fairey and is comprised of 16 songs including previously unreleased recordings from Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Gary Numan, Primal Scream, Devo, Danny Elfman and many more. Also includes “Turn Into Redux” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, an alternative take on their 2006 release, and a stunning, stripped back cover of “California Dreamin’” by Jarvis Cocker recorded back in 2020.  Every local music scene should have a Bob Rodman. He was this amazing grandfatherly (or seasonally Santa Claus) looking fella, that later in life found an incredible connection to the local music scene here in Orange County. Here he was in his mid to late 70s, and Bob could be found out at shows 4 or 5 nights a week until the wee hours of the morning, lugging around his trusty (and fancy) camera around with him so he could take photos of the bands while they played and then ask where he could send them to be used however they wanted, no charge of course. He would also catch those awesome candid moments that might happen out in the crowd or backstage. He would walk up to you and show you the photo he got of you in your most honest moment, either talking to one of your close friends or perhaps it was of you being completely blown away by the music happening that night. A day or two later you would get a text or an email with the relevant photos attached and you would smile at the memory he captured.
For a number of years in the early 2010's, I had the pleasure of booking bi-weekly events at an outdoor retail space called The Lab in Costa Mesa on behalf of Sweet Relief. We probably did 75-100 shows during that time and if Bob missed 5 of them total I would be shocked. He would always ask me what he could do to support Sweet Relief. He would talk to anyone who would listen about who we were and about our mission, and of course, he would send us dozens of photos to use for our social media and website after every show. Again, no charge. But lets forget the photography for just a minute and focus on how truly supportive Bob was to ALL of the bands in the "scene". Sure, he had his favorites, but that man would show up for any of us if he thought that by his being there, it would make even the slightest difference to you. Bob showed up, for everyone, all of the time, week in and week out. We loved Bob for the person he was, the photography was just a bonus! You will be missed by so many of us Bob, please know that. And we will forever be grateful to you for the memories you captured on film for us. You were a one of one and I hope that wherever you are, there are bunch of bands playing shows for you to see because they may not know it yet, but every local music scene should have a Bob Rodman.  100% of proceeds will benefit local mutual aid organizations for LA Fire relief.
Those supported include Sweet Relief, Direct Relief, Mutual Aid LA, Anti-Recidivism Coalition and Pasadena Humane.  Goose is giving away a trip to meet them in Cabos San Lucas at their Viva El Gonzo Festival to support those impacted by the L.A. fires.
The prize includes round trip flights, 4-night accommodations at Tropicana Los Cabos, two TED VIP passes, the chance to meet the band at the festival PLUS a Solodome Luxury Audio Atmosphere Chair and Victrola Hi-Res Carbon Turntable. Donate now to support Sweet Relief's Natural Disaster Fund and help musicians and music industry workers impacted by the L.A. fires.  Featuring Andrew Bird, Bright Eyes, David Longstreth (of Dirty Projectors), Dawes, Delicate Steve, Ethan Tasch, Jim James, Jeff Parker / Gregory Uhlmann / Anna Butterss / Ben Lumsdaine, John C. Reilly, Katie Gavin, Kelcey Ayer, Kevin Morby, Lucius, Madison Cunningham, Molly Burch, Strawberry Guy, The Milk Carton Kids, Uwade, Watkins Family Hour, plus Special Guests! Produced by Sid The Cat, Mike Viola, & Tyler Chester. February 8th, 2025 at Glendale Presbyterian Church 125 S Louise St. Glendale, CA 91205 Doors at 6:30pm The Los Angeles wildfires were a profound shock for everyone in the city and beyond, and has meant a lifetime of rebuilding for so many. In the wake of such devastation, to see the outpouring of support for each other has given us the greatest sense of pride in the city that we love. That’s why we’re proud to bring you “I Love LA” Eaton Fire Relief, an evening of music and community to benefit the people affected by the Eaton Fire, taking place at Glendale Presbyterian Church on February 8th. Proceeds will go to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, to benefit musicians affected by the fire
Dear Friends,  Make your tax-deductible donation to Sweet Relief before the year ends and help hundreds of musicians and music industry workers dealing with physical and mental illness, disease, and age-related issues.
 SWEET RELIEF ANNOUNCES BENEFIT CONCERT HONORING JOAN BAEZ |
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