COVID-19 & The Music Industry

Everyone’s world is being turned upside down with the pandemic of the coronavirus, or more formally known as COVID-19. The scariest part of this whole situation is the uncertainty. The uncertainty of jobs, industry, the economy. The health and the risk of essential workers throughout the country. The safety of our friends and family, the list is endless. The uncertainty of this timeline, how long can we physically and mentally sustain this very serious quarantine situation? The uncertainty of what our new normal is going to be when the curve is flattened and under control.

This is uncharted territory for all. For millenials, for boomers, for the world. Cooperation and coordination between our leadership, on a federal, state, and international level is vital. Emotional and mental support from family and friends is going to look a little different than what we are used to. “Being there” for them is still possible, thank goodness for video chat and social media. We can be there for others while doing the best thing we can be doing for everybody else: social distancing. Probably a good time to watch that movie Five Feet Apart. Directed by actor Justin Baldoni featuring Andy Grammer’s beautiful and emotional song Don’t Give Up On Me: I will fight for you/don’t give up on me/I'm not giving up no not yet.

Music is healing, and the music industry and music community globally is stronger than ever in this desperate time. I am proud to be a small piece of a large industry with such a strong sense of community. We are stronger together, even when we are physically apart. Every night there have been Instagram/Facebook/YouTube lives from artists for 20, 30 minutes, or even an hour to sing a few songs. Instagram live is the new corona concert platform. Hozier partnered with Global Citizen for his Cry Power podcast prior to the COVID-19 outbreak to talk with other inspirational artists and activists about how to change the world. Especially now the podcast isn’t all talk, you can take action through subscribing and donating or signing a petition at https://www.globalcitizen.org. Hozier’s live along with many other artists like Niall Horan, Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes, and One Republic are participating in Global Citizen’s Together At Home Concert Series. Lindsay Ell mentioned in her live the Recording Academy and MusicCares partnered together to establish the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help musicians throughout the music industry affected by the coronavirus pandemic. As in the words of Hozier in his song No Plan there's no race to be won/the harder the rain/honey the sweeter the sun. So we will get through this, the music industry and the world will get through this together.

Having a background in radio I knew that the music industry would band together like this. Radio personalities and DJs are lucky to have the abilities, even outside of social media and the club, to work from home. Katie Neal from NY Country 94.7 so cleverly said just like there are no snow days in radio there certainly aren’t any pandemic days in radio. She was instagramming live from her soundproof closet where she had her laptop setup to broadcast midday drive! Radio must go on to keep you informed during this time and provide that escape that music will continue to be for the world. There’s no keeping radio, artists, and musicians from their fans- they just have to discover a new way to connect. DJ Jonny Laz from Party 105.3 is still mixing on your airwaves every weeknight 9-10pm (9-11pm on Fridays) from home. You will also get your pop culture fix, maybe realize your dating life is better off on hold right now with Tinder Tuesdays, and all your favorite throwbacks throughout the week starting at 6pm EST leading up to the mix! NYC doesn’t sleep, neither does radio! Photo cred: @rockinroxpromo

The music community is really trying to navigate this virtual world without closing up shop. Artists are still going through with their album or single releases as planned. Album release weeks are looking a lot different right now, but that doesn’t mean we reschedule them. Now more than ever we need artists to release their art or even share snippets of what they've been working on in their live streams.

Singer/songwriter Caitlyn Smith’s new album Supernova came out last Friday March 13th. It’s crazy because I feel like I’ve been anticipating this album since December when she came to NYC for pre-album promo with her show at Mercury Lounge, her signing at Showfields with Spin On Nashville, and her opening set on Little Big Town's Nightfall Tour at Apollo Theater. Finally, we have been graced with this body of work that really gets you in all your feelings (Caitlyn’s favorite place to be, she has said). Caitlyn’s newest single Long Time Coming is so powerful, especially for the times: Have mercy please/ It’s been a long time coming, but I’m going to be alright.

Kelsea Ballerini’s self titled album Kelsea came out this past Friday March 20th. Kelsea was supposed to have an IheartRadio Album Release Party this past week in NYC for her highly anticipated third studio album before the COVID-19 quarantine. She did an Instagram live two hours before the album dropped at midnight. She also conferenced in artists on the stream who she collaborated with on the album, including Kenny Chesney who is featured on a song called Half of my Hometown and Halsey who sings on The Other Girl. CMT has released the video from Halsey & KB’s performance of this song from their Crossroads taping, which is set to release March 25th! Writers on this sassy and clever song are Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, and Shane McAnally. I personally love all these songwriters. Congratulations Kelsea on this album. Kelsea also pushed the boundaries on production for this album on top of expanding her writing sonically and lyrically. Thank you for still releasing despite COVID-19 limitations, your fans are very grateful to have these new stories they can relate to and find comfort in.

Pop artist Alexander 23 also released a new single last Wednesday March 18th called Loving You Gets Hard. Lyrics can be a beautiful comfort in a time of chaos and uncertainty. Honestly, this song couldn’t have been released at a better time: when loving you gets hard I will love you harder/I don’t know what is worse/ is it running or pretending that there’s nothing to run from? The verses of the song go from comparing what is worse, running/hiding/living or pretending there is nothing to run/hide from or live for. With the panic surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic right now I take my interpretation of these words to heart. It is easy right now to sulk in the negative, especially since we have so much idle time with our thoughts, but that mentality isn’t healthy. We need to turn to love (from a distance), turn to art, turn to music. Find that community that will alleviate this sense of isolation. On a lighter note, Alexander 23 posted his video for the song on his Instagram story, saying to swipe up for a social distancing tutorial. Watch the video below to see for yourself how on point that statement is. Great job directing the video, Kenny Okagaki and Alexander 23!

My sincerest gratitude to the entire music industry. I couldn’t be more thankful for music, songwriters, live streaming, headphones, music streaming apps, and of course all the creative professionals in my life. Let’s all be there for each other, from a distance, and music will be the bridge between us all.

With Love,

Rockin Rox Promo