People Supporting Artists Telethon Takes Place April 11

Last month, a tornado hit Nashville and took lives, destroyed communities and crippled local businesses. The community had just started to rebuild when COVID-19 reared its ugly head. Without the ability to tour, the music community everywhere, particularly in Nashville, has come to a screeching halt.

At 7pm EST on Saturday, April 11, a group of Nashville-based musicians, creatives and music industry professionals will join together to produce the People Supporting Artists telethon. This special online event will bring together a cross section of artists from the worlds of music, comedy, theater and some surprises. To tune in via your phone, computer, or smart TV, visit peoplesupportingartists.com.

The People Supporting Artists Telethon will broadcast live out of H.O.M.E. studios in East Nashville. WSM Radio’s Eric Marcum and Lightning100’s Annie Klaver will co-host the event, and acclaimed indie filmmaker Curtis Wayne Millard will direct it. It’ll feature original music composed by Aaron Shafer-Haiss.

Rosanne Cash, John Oates, Keb Mo, Los Lobos (David Hidalgo & Louie Pérez), Shovels & Rope, Soccer Mommy, Jonathan Wilson, Hayes Carll, the Lone Below (Zach Williams), Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jay Buchanan (Rival Sons), Molly Tuttle, JD McPherson, Langhorne Slim, Nicole Atkins, Ron Pope, Kelsey Waldon, Andrew Combs, Jamie Kent, Michaela Anne, Brian Wright & Sally Jaye, Blackfoot Gypsies and many other artists are slated to perform.

People Supporting Artists (PSA) is a newly formed nonprofit created by a diverse team of Nashvillians. 

“The mission statement of the organization is to empower artists in times of growth and facilitate relief in times of need,” says PSA co-founder and Nashville artist/entrepreneur Jamie Kent in a press release. “The long-term goal is to eventually provide recording and tour support grants, as well as entrepreneurial education to help elevate the careers of independent, full time artists. Many other countries like Canada, France, and Germany do this already, and the impact on their music industry is huge. We’d love to grow enough to be positioned to help artists year round, not just when there’s a crisis. But in times of crisis such as right now, PSA will create events like this telethon to rally funds behind other nonprofits best positioned to help. In this case, that’s the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund!”