Recording Academy Interim President & CEO Harvey Mason, Jr.
Recording Academy interim President and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. isn’t sure that the music industry can adapt to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic without charity and government assistance.
In a recent interview with The Wrap, interim CEO Mason Jr., who is leading the Recording Academy and the Grammys while a replacement is sought for Deborah Dugan, said, “the industry is at a standstill.” Social distancing, mandatory lockdowns, and self-quarantines have prompted several artists to live-stream performances and take other innovative (and safe) steps to entertain fans and earn a living.
Even so, a growing number of musicians are feeling the financial pinch, and employees who relied on the formerly thriving live-event industry for income — event staff, road crews, venue workers, and others — are struggling to make ends meet. From SXSW to Bonnaroo and Coachella to Stagecoach, as well as many others in between, the coronavirus has halted virtually all major music festivals and tours.
In this vein, Harvey Mason Jr. also said, “I don’t see us being able to transition while we’re under these circumstances. The thing we need to try and do is help each other, help people in the music community, and help people in the general community feel better about these really difficult times.”
Mason Jr. and his organization have been quick to assist coronavirus sufferers and advocate on behalf of artists.
Last week, the Recording Academy and its charitable wing, MusiCares, donated $2 million to coronavirus relief. Additionally, Harvey Mason Jr. sent a letter to congressional leaders, in which he requested that a portion of the upcoming $1.3 trillion stimulus package benefit musicians who are unable to perform live because of large-gathering restrictions.
Also in the cited interview, Harvey Mason Jr. acknowledged the financial plight of each business sector that’s rallying for federal aid, while emphasizing that, “What we’re hearing from a lot of MusiCares members is that they don’t have enough money to continue [to pay their bills and stay financially afloat] for the next couple of days.”
Finally, the Recording Academy head stated, “I don’t think the music community is going to be able to adapt under these conditions.”
Though the mentioned $1.3 trillion (or larger; the total amount isn’t set in stone) stimulus package is reportedly close to passing in the Senate, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are clashing over a few key points. However, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and congressional leaders have signaled that the legislation should pass early this week.
You don’t think? You don’t know, so just STFU.
I pooped
The Repurposer Composer
Stands Atop The Burning Pile His Company Assisted The Music Business With, Buy Icing Out Competition In The Music Industry At Every Level, And Allowing Said Industries TO BUY NOMINATIONS FROM THE BOARD!!!
Has Clear Cut THE ENTIRE MUSICAL LANDSCAPE OF THE PLANET!! Assisting That Corrupt industry Leaving Musicians Producers Singers And Songwriters NO MONEY!
Fractions Of Pennies…
To The Trees That Bear The Fruit Of Their Gains
Now Asking For Assistance From The Government
To Which Those Musicians Pay Taxes To, For A Bailout ?
How About You And That Dishonorable Institution You Empire Moved Debby Dugan Off Of 10 Days Before The Grammys Because She Wouldn’t Pay The Rapist Who Was Removed In Shame, 200k To Advise The Board! Not Take A Paycheck And Not Take A Bonus!!
You Cuck Fucks
I Hope To See You On The Sidewalk You Deserve Far Worse For What You’ve Done!
We cannot believe Harvey Mason Jr. stated: “Harvey Mason Jr. sent a letter to congressional leaders, in which he requested that a portion of the upcoming $1.3 trillion stimulus package benefit musicians who are unable to perform live because of large-gathering restrictions.” Really Harvey? Really? Where were the groups when ALL we ‘fans’ have been complaining about ticket prices? Well, these absorbent ticket prices are the musicians ‘portion’ of a self-stimulus package. How embarrassing for Harvey Mason Jr. !! We are circulating his comment/remark to all musical entities and to the normal public that we can to show blatant, arrogant and uneducated greed amongst musicians. Your comment “I don’t see us being able to transition while we’re under these circumstances” is a Segway-Statement to ask for a large handout to the musicians who can’t perform. We notice no mention of the ‘normal’ worker out of work. Your lethargic uneducated remark speaks volumes of your pathetic thought pattern and self-greed. We are going to spread your statement world-wide! Shame On You as a old lady would say. We hope you’re booted from the recording academy.
“Absorbent” ticket prices. Hehehehe, the better picker upper!