Last night, the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) and Spotify's long-running benefit returned to the legendary 9:30 Club to celebrate the healing power of music in the heart of our nation's capital during an annual concert for Musicians On Call (MOC), an organization that delivers live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments. Returning after a three-year absence due to the COVID pandemic, the event brought hundreds from the music community, industry leaders and policymakers together to support MOC's vital work. iHeartRadio's Toby Knapp (DC's 97.1 WASH-FM's Toby+Chilli Mornings), Tamo Sein (DC101) and Mike Klein (Z1043/HOT995 Baltimore & New York's Z100) welcomed the crowd leading up to the high-intensity set from multi-Platinum certified, award winning artist, producer and DJ Diplo.
“Once again partnering with RIAA and Spotify to celebrate our mission and the power of music is something we've been looking forward to for a long time, and we're excited to have Diplo join us for this very special night,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin, who expressed gratitude for the shared belief that all patients, families and caregivers should have access to live music's ability to restore normalcy, bring joy and produce medical benefits. "The power of live music in healthcare environments is undeniable. It has the ability to provide calming relief in otherwise highly stressful situations, and can physically improve a patient's experience. While Musicians On Call's Bedside program has been on hold due to the pandemic, we've been able to continue delivering these important moments of healing to patients in the DC area and to over 275,000 people around the country through our Virtual program.”
Diplo acknowledged that sentiment throughout the night with a palpable energy radiating across the packed venue as a haze of laser lights fueled track after track of hits.
RIAA CEO/Chairman & Musicians On Call Board Chairman Emeritus Mitch Glazier returned to the stage with RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne for a plaque presentation commemorating Diplo's 30 certified titles across albums and songs – 1 Diamond, 5 multi-Platinum, 5 Platinum, 18 Gold and a 12x Platino. He said, “Diplo has connected with millions throughout his career, and this performance was a bold reminder to us all – nothing moves us like music! We are grateful to Diplo, Columbia Records and each of you who experienced this moment alongside us and believe in Musicians On Call's mission. This return to the 9:30 Club was a long time in the making, and it was incredible to come together as a united community to support MOC while celebrating the power of music.”
"We all know a song can perfectly capture a moment, and your favorite artists have an incomparable way of bringing joy even in the toughest moments. Music has the power to heal, and that's why Spotify is proud to partner with RIAA to support Musicians On Call and the volunteers who have performed for more than one million people in healthcare facilities nationwide,” said April Boyd, Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Spotify.
Other notable supporters this year include Alibaba Group, Comcast NBCUniversal, National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), Oracle, RELX and SoundExchange.
ABOUT MUSICIANS ON CALL: Adding a dose of joy to the hospital experience for more than one million people since 1999, Musicians On Call (MOC) brings live and recorded music directly to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments nationwide. Through its programs, MOC Volunteers perform live for children and adults facing any health challenge, including Veterans recovering in VA facilities, family members supporting loved ones in need and healthcare workers caring for patients. As the leading provider of live music
in hospitals, MOC has a vision of a world filled with the healing power of music. To meet the increasing demand for its programs, MOC created a groundbreaking online platform that will revolutionize access to music in healthcare. MOC's network includes Volunteer Guides, Volunteer Musicians and renowned artist supporters including Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson, Darius Rucker, Katy Perry, Jason Derulo, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Reba McEntire, Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Pharrell, Kelsea Ballerini, Amos Lee, Luis Fonsi, Peter Frampton, Luke Bryan, Charles Esten and many more. For more information on how Musicians On Call delivers the healing power of music, visit www.musiciansoncall.org.
