LOS ANGELES, CA – ACM Lifting Lives® announced today the creation of the ACM Lifting Lives® COVID-19 Response Fund. In response to the growing need due to COVID-19, this fund was created to assist individuals working in the Country Music industry who are suffering a financial crisis as a result of the pandemic. iHeartMedia’s leading country radio host and ACM® Radio Award National On-Air Personality of the Year Bobby Bones, a long-time ACM Lifting Lives supporter, will introduce the fund in a special package during ACM PRESENTS: OUR COUNTRY, which will be broadcast Sunday, April 5 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT and 7:00 PM CT) on the CBS Television Network and on CBS All Access.
The ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund will begin with an initial endowment of $250,000, with an additional matching fund against Academy of Country Music® partners, sponsors and third-party donors of up to $250,000. Partners, sponsors, and donors include The Bobby Bones Show, FirstNet, Built with AT&T, and Amazon Music. This fund will be available to Country Music industry professionals who demonstrate immediate financial needs due to COVID-19 and meet the outlined criteria. Those in need can apply for funds at ACMLiftingLives.org.
“ACM Lifting Lives is proud to have a long-standing history of supporting individuals in the Country Music industry who need some assistance getting back on their feet during these unfortunate times, with the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund,” said Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives. “With this new ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, we hope to help alleviate some of the burden our music community faces; including the musicians, bus drivers, tour crews, songwriters, the list goes on and on during these unprecedented times.”
ACM Lifting Lives remains dedicated to improving lives through the power of music during the fight against COVID-19. Those interested in donating as a third-party donor should visit ACMLiftingLives.org to learn more.
As previously announced, ACM PRESENTS: OUR COUNTRY hosted by Gayle King, will feature performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown & John Legend, Luke Bryan, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Additionally, the special will honor 10-time ACM Award winner Kenny Rogers with performances by Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker.
For more information on ACM PRESENTS: OUR COUNTRY, visit ACMcountry.com. You can also like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards, follow on Instagram at @ACMawards and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List for more immediate updates.