MusicPro Insurance, SoundExchange and Epiphone are creating an online show where selected musicians are paid for their performances and can receive tip revenue. Each artist will also receive an Epiphone guitar.
Musicians are now famously performing from their homes via social media and streaming sites, entertaining a populace “sheltering in place” and in need of diversion. However, with clubs, cafes and other live music venues closed, those musicians who depend on local gigs, are themselves in need. Not only have their day jobs ended, but their performance income is also gone.
SoundExchange Presents The MusicPro Café, sponsored by Epiphone will debut this Saturday night, streaming simultaneously on ZOOM and YouTube. The event will feature six in-home performances by a curated roster of musicians. Each artist will be paid a fee, and viewers can tip the artists via an e-commerce platform. SoundExchange, MusicPro, Epiphone and TAXI invited prospective performers listed on their databases who only had to reply with links to their music in order to apply.
When: Saturday, April 4th, 8 pm EST, 5 pm PST
Where: ZOOM at https://zoom.us/j/325863856 , and YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh4y_OJ1yDHK4-7QNKAAebg
SoundExchange collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of more than 200,000 recording artists and sound recording owners’ accounts. “We’re trying to help thousands of emerging artists who depend on income from gigs,” said SoundExchange’s VP of Industry Relations Barry LeVine. “This performance is obviously a small step, but it’s supporting members of the music community who will benefit from all the help they can get.”
A division of Gibson Brands, Epiphone is one of America’s oldest and most revered instrument makers. “Epiphone salutes musicians everywhere who are using music to help people cope right now, and we’re happy to do anything we can to support them,” said Sterling Doak, Director of Marketing, Gibson Brands.
“We’ve been insuring musicians’ instruments and equipment for over 20 years,” said MusicPro’s Laura Donelan. “We’re now working for them in another way, but the concept of protecting careers by supporting musicians during these trying times is the same.”
Music fans are being treated to a variety of high profile virtual performances now, and some of the biggest names in the business have been graciously entertaining the populace. This one’s for the up and comers, who could use a little help now, and for whom SoundExchange, MusicPro and Epiphone are going to pass the hat.
