Progressive Wednesday

MusiCares: Helping to feed (and clothe and cure) Aspiring Artists

You may have noticed recently the newest member of our side column, a request from a charity called MusiCares to donate a pinch (or a lot if you can afford it) of money. We're here to tell you why you should. What do they do?

MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.

The music and entertainment industry is cutthroat. With so many aspiring actors, musicians, playwrights, poets, directors, painters, novelists and mimes (yep, those mimes) there is little room for those artists to break into their field. If and when they do, they are far more likely then those in other professions to develop medical conditions from the intense stress. The percentages are also much higher that they will abuse drugs and alcohol. To these musicians MusiCares provides financial, medical and moral support to help get them through those tough times and back to making sweet music.

After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the city of New Orleans, a city known for its jazz and blues and home to thousands of those starving musicians, has struggled to get back on its musical feet. Enter MusiCares.

Since September 1, 2005, MusiCares has disbursed over $3.5 million in financial assistance for basic needs, as well as instruments and other supplies to more than 3,500 individuals directly affected by the disasters.

So if you are a fan of music, or a fan helping our brothers and sisters in need, please give a hand. If you'd rather get something tangible in return, you can purchase a tribute DVD of one of our favorite progressive musicians and MusiCares Person Of The Year, James Taylor. Featuring Sting, The Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen and others (as well as JT), the proceeds of the disc will, of course go to MusiCares. So either way, please help make some musical progress.