Nashville-Based Solo Music Creating First Global Music Marketplace On Blockchain Platform Solana

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Pictured (top row, L-R): Founder and CEO of Solo Music Barron Solomon; Developer Kyle Reeves; Tech Entrepreneur Luke Porter; (bottom row, L-R): Marketing Executive Tim Gerst; Tech Entrepreneur Meghan Andrykowski; Music Talent Pioneer Nick Hartley

Solo Music, the first global music marketplace built on the Solana blockchain for artists, fans and the industry, is launching the Solo Music Marketplace, a music service aimed at revolutionizing the way artists, fans, and industry professionals do business with blockchain technology.

The platform’s debuting artist partners include Eric Paslay, songwriter-producer Tommy Cecil, and recording studio Capricorn Studios, each releasing several exclusive NFTs starting in October.

The marketplace aims to create new pathways for fans to connect with their favorite artists and provide artists with innovative ways to monetize their creations through experiential and digital art NFT sales. Additional products that simplify digital asset sales through smart-contract ticketing and tokenized royalties for artists and industry professionals will launch on the platform in the coming months.

Solo Music is led by a team of industry members of Nashville’s music scene and blockchain and tech entrepreneurs. Barron Solomon, blockchain trailblazer and music enthusiast, is the visionary behind Solo Music. Other team members include music industry entrepreneur and developer Kyle Reeves, music marketing executive Tim Gerst, music talent pioneer Nick Hartley and blockchain and tech entrepreneurs Luke Porter and Meghan Andrykowski.

“Solo Music was born out of necessity. Technology has not evolved at the same rapid pace of the music and entertainment industry, resulting in slow ambiguous royalty payouts, illiquid artist assets, overpriced secondary market tickets, forged merchandise and counterfeit concert tickets,” says Solomon, founder and CEO of Solo Music. “Solo Music solves this and bridges the technology gap. With a mission of driving blockchain adoption in the music industry, we are making digital asset sales simple and profitable while providing fans with unique experiences at affordable prices.”

Fans and collectors can access the Solo Music Marketplace featuring curated artist pages, upcoming artist NFT releases or drops and charitable giving opportunities. The Marketplace will soon allow fans to purchase unique experiences and digital art designed by their favorite artists and store them on Solo Music’s secure and decentralized network. It will also allow users to pay for NFTs in U.S. dollars via credit card, making it accessible for fans of all levels of crypto knowledge to support their favorite artists. To further encourage platform adoption, the platform supports fast and direct transactions with major wallets including Sollet and Phantom. As a Solana-built marketplace, the platform benefits from low transaction fees to offer a wide range of price points for users, making the Solo NFT releases more affordable than many NFTs in the market today, with prices as low as $20.

“As a music creator and as a craftsman, I have been excited about the potential of NFTs in offering fans rare and exciting items, while generating income—not just for myself but also for my favorite charities,” says Eric Paslay, who will be launching his own NFTs on the platform. “Solo Music stood out as it is fully committed to the music space and to making the NFT process uncomplicated for fans. I’m even more excited after sitting down with the Solo Music team to map out a long-term strategy of curated drops that touch on songwriting, performances, artwork, and hand-crafted items.”

In the coming months, Solo Music will expand to include concert ticketing and tokenized royalties in partnership with the industry. The ticketing platform will offer smart-contract technology for concert tickets, and tokenized royalties will enable artists to manage their royalty streams and sell portions of or all of the rights to the cash flow associated with their royalties, while also allowing fans to invest in their favorite artists.

The company is also committed to becoming a decentralized autonomous organization with community governance in the near future and giving back to its community through monetization and experiential opportunities.

Warner Chappell Music Nashville, Low Country Sound Extend Deal With Aaron Raitiere

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Aaron Raitiere. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Singer-songwriter Aaron Raitiere has extended his worldwide deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville and Low Country Sound, the imprint founded by Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Dave Cobb.

Raitiere’s recent cuts include four songs on Anderson East’s latest album, Maybe We Never Die, including “Hood of My Car” and “Drugs;” as well as “Heroes” (Natalie Hemby); “Rock My Soul” (Oak Ridge Boys); and Midland’s upcoming radio single, “Sunrise Tells The Story.” He was also a co-writer on the Grammy Award-winning song “I’ll Never Love Again” from A Star is Born.

Raitiere’s debut single as an artist, “Everybody Else,” is available now on Dinner Time Records via Thirty Tigers.

The Kentucky native is slated to perform at the Manchester Music Hall in Lexington alongside The Steel Woods tonight (Sept. 17), and at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville on Sept. 24. He has previously toured with Paul Cauthen and Willie Nelson, and recently performed at the Barefoot Country Festival.

Raitiere is managed by Michelle Szeto (Paquin Entertainment Group) and distributed by Thirty Tigers. His publicist is Asha Goodman (Sacks & Co.), and his agents are Marc Dennis and Justin Cahill (CAA).

John Prine Livestream Tribute To Air From Galway

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John Prine. Photo: Danny Clinch

“Souvenirs: Celebrating the Life and Songs of John Prine with Family and Friends,” a special livestream tribute, will broadcast from Galway’s The Mick Lally Theatre on Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. CT via the theatre’s website. Tickets for the event, which will also be available for on-demand viewing Oct. 7-10, are on-sale now.

As the first public celebration of Prine’s legendary life and career, the event will feature performances from several of Prine’s close friends and supporters, including Mary Black, Paul Brady, Pat Crowley, Mette Jensen, Ruth McGill, Tanya McCole, Chris Meehan, Paul Mulligan, Little John Nee, Declan O’Rourke, Brian Palm, Bill Shanley, Sharon Shannon, Mary Staunton, Mary Stokes and Ciaran Tourish as well as Prine’s youngest son, Tommy Prine.

In addition to the performances, the broadcast will include conversations between each performer and the evening’s MC, John Creedon.

“John recognized that in Ireland people loved and accepted him outside of his life as a celebrated artist. His Irish passport was one of his most prized possessions,” shares John’s wife Fiona Whelan Prine. “We are delighted to be able to remember him with his family and musician friends from Ireland, with this very special tribute event from Galway.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit two local Irish organizations: Doras, an independent non-profit working to promote and protect the rights of people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Ireland, and The Druid Theatre Company, Ireland’s leading touring theatre company.

Loretta Lynn And Friends Benefit Raises Nearly $1 Million And Counting

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Loretta Lynn holds a Plaque honoring the Humphreys County flood victims at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Photo: Ryan Slattery

“Loretta Lynn’s Friends: Hometown Rising” benefit Monday night (Sept. 13) at the Opry House was a major success, showing once again just how big the hearts of country artists and their fans are.

YouTube video

Lynn’s rallying call resulted in nearly $1 million raised for Humphreys County following the Aug. 21 disaster that killed 20 people during severe storms and extreme flash floods, leaving more than 500 homes affected by floodwaters, including 272 that were totally destroyed.

Luke Bryan. Photo: Chris Hollo

The $933,000 and counting in donations and concert proceeds will directly benefit the residents of Waverly and surrounding areas, as well as local small businesses.

“I’ve heard from so many friends that the show Monday night that my friends put together for our community not only raised money, but it also raised spirits after a long few weeks of loss and heartbreak,” Lynn shares. “I loved the performances and the stories. While we shared some heartbreaking images and footage from our hometown, what I saw in those moments was the resilience people have shown amid so much loss. We’ll all be okay as long as we continue to help one another.”

Chris Janson. Photo: Chris Hollo

Breland, Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Chris Janson, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Brittney Spencer and Keith Urban held the two-hour benefit with hosts Storme Warren and Nada leading the in-house sold-out crowd and broadcast/livestream audience through a heartfelt evening of powerful messages, performances and the Opry stage.

The program also featured recorded appearances from Tracy Lawrence, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Kid Rock, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood who called on fans to support the important recovery work being done by United Way of Humphreys County. Several major donations were also announced during the evening, with City National Bank and Lawrence’s Mission: Possible charity both contributing, and the Academy of Country Music matching $25,000 of fan donations in honor of Lynn being named one of this year’s ACM Poet’s Award recipients at the recent ACM Honors.

“We’re so thankful for our good friends of more than 40 years, MX Sports, who’ve held motocross events at the Ranch and came to our aid through their Racers 4 Waverly Fund,” Lynn adds. “I’m simply overwhelmed by how everyone rallied behind this small town by showing so much love.”

Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood. Photo: Chris Hollo

In an effort to continue fundraising throughout the coming weeks, Lynn has also partnered with Kendra Scott to garner additional support for the cause, with the jewelry company donating 50% of proceeds from the sale of their Tennessee Guitar charm throughout the month of September to United Way of Humphreys County. The charm is available for purchase at KendraScott.com or at retail locations. A few commemorative show posters also remain from the evening, available for purchase with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the cause.

To donate to the ongoing recovery efforts, please click here or text TNFLOODRELIEF to 44321.

Reba McEntire. Photo: Chris Hollo

Little Big Town. Photo: Chris Hollo

Brittney Spencer. Photo: Chris Hollo

Carly Pearce To Take ’29’ On First Headlining Tour This Winter

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Carly Pearce. Photo: Allister Ann

In tandem with the release of her expanded 29: Written In Stone LP today (Sept. 17), songstress Carly Pearce has also announced that she will embark on her first headline run this fall on “The 29 Tour.”

Joined by Andrew Jannakos, the string of theater dates will showcase the music from 29, plus fan-favorites and the 2X Platinum CMA and ACM Awards Musical/Music Event and ACM Single of the Year “I Hope You’re Happy Now.”

Along the way she will make stops at New York’s Gramercy Theatre, The Hamilton in Washington, D.C., and at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater, among others. Pre-sale begins Sept. 21 with public on-sale opening on Sept. 24, both at 10 a.m. local time.

Since her breakout debut with “Every Little Thing,” the recently inducted Grand Ole Opry member has sky-rocketed to the upper tiers of country music. The Taylor Mill, Kentucky native also received impressive hometown honors earlier this month, as well as earned two CMA Awards nominations this year for Female Vocalist and Album of the Year with 29, where she is the only woman in the category.

Marc Beeson Signs With SMACKSongs

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Pictured (L-R): Sam Sarno, Marc Beeson, Robin Palmer. Photo: Molly Bouchon

SMACKSongs has signed songwriter Marc Beeson to a worldwide publishing deal.

Beeson was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois and moved to Nashville from Los Angeles in 1990. He signed record deals with Warner Brothers, BNA, and Curb Records, and charted multiple singles as an artist throughout the ’90s.

As a songwriter Beeson has had publishing deals with EMI, Sony, Crossfire 3, Warner Chappell, and most recently Downtown Music Publishing. Some of his cuts include Billy Currington’s “We Are Tonight,” Blake Shelton’s “She’s Got A Way With Words,” and Restless Heart’s “When She Cries,” which won both the ASCAP Country Song of the Year in 1993 and Pop Song of the Year awards in 1994.

Beeson’s songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Sam Hunt, Lady A, Rascal Flatts, and more.

“Marc brings something really special to our roster with his dedication to the craft of songwriting and always reaching for the very best,” offers SMACKSongs Chief Creative Officer, Robin Palmer. “Our team is really excited to welcome him and continue this journey with him.”

“Robin has always been one of the best song people I’ve ever known. She and the whole SMACK crew have made me feel so welcome and I’m grateful to be part of their team,” says Beeson.

Chris Stapleton Earns MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No. 1

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Chris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke

Chris Stapleton paves his way to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “You Should Probably Leave.” This single follows his two week No. 1. “Starting Over.”

“You Should Probably Leave” was written by Stapleton, Ashley Gorley, and Chris DuBois. It appears on his album Starting Over which was completed in February of 2020 just days before the shutdown.

Stapleton is currently touring the country with his All-American Road Show. The tour began in July and has dates lined up through June of 2022.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Porchlight Music Promotes Three, Anthony Smith Named VP, Creative/A&R

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Pictured (L-R): Anthony Smith, Sarah Morey, and Freeman Wizer

Porchlight Music, a Nashville-based music publishing and artist development company, has recently made three staffing changes.

Multi-award-winning songwriter and producer Anthony Smith has been elevated to Vice President, Creative/A&R after joining the company in 2019. Smith has achieved success across multiple genres with cuts by Reba, Donna Summer, Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, Chris Young, Lauren Alaina, Lonestar, Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, and Jo Dee Messina. His songs have also appeared in a National Toyota campaign as well as Almost An Angel, Earth Force, and Graveyard Shift.

Additionally, recent Belmont graduate Sarah Morey has been promoted to Catalog Manager/Creative Coordinator, and Freeman Wizer has joined the team as Senior Creative Director.

Prior to Porchlight Music, Wizer spent time at Universal Music Publishing Group, Sea Gayle Music, and Spirit Music Group where he worked with and guided the careers of many songwriters.

“Freeman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his position that our staff and writers can benefit from tremendously. He will be a great asset to the PLM family. Sarah’s work ethic and enthusiasm is contagious. I’m very excited about the future of PLM with them both on board,” Smith comments.

Porchlight’s roster includes Clint Daniels (“Some Of It” by Eric Church, “Brokenheartsville” by Joe Nichols), Anthony L. Smith (“Tomorrow” by Chris Young, “What About Now” by Lonestar), and Tim James (“My List” by Toby Keith, “Give It All We Got Tonight” by George Strait) as well as Taylor Davis, Terry Lee Palmer, William Michael Morgan, Ryan Garrett, and Dan Hutson.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, Tylar Bryant

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Pictured (top row): Tylar Bryant, Cody Johnson; (bottom row): Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde

Summer may be winding down, but the country stars are still cranking out plenty of sunshine.

In this week’s edition of DisClaimer, we have terrific tunes by Old Dominion, Sam Hunt, Mitchell Tenpenny & Chris Young, Walker Hayes, Kacey Musgraves and more. We have a tie in the race for the Disc of the Day award. I can’t decide between the sizzling Cody Johnson single and the scintillating duet by Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde. Honor them both with your spins.

One of the most noteworthy trends in country music during the past three years is the unprecedented explosion of Black artists in the genre. Country hopefuls Willie Jones, Chapel Hart, Breland, Karen McCormick, Ashlie Amber, Blanco Brown, Brittney Spencer, Tony Evans Jr., Camo Brian, Priscilla Renae, Shy Carter, Tiera, Kyshona, Charlie Crockett, Norman North, Wendy Moten, Reyna Roberts and Charles Gallaspy have joined an influx from the previous decade—Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen, Miko Marks, Simba Jordan, Vickie Vann, Kane Brown, Rissi Palmer, Kamara Thomas, Joy Styles, Tony Jackson, Rhonda Townes, Darius Rucker, Kaia Kater, Aaron Vance, Daniel Houze, Amber Gerard, John Amos and Erika Dunlap.

In this column, we add three more names to the list, Brei Carter, Danielia Cotton and our DISCovery Award winner, Tylar Bryant.

SAM HUNT / “23”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Chris LaCorte; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: MCA Nashville
— Wistful nostalgia for a youthful love. His warm, burnished delivery is enthralling, and the well-crafted lyric is a gem. Check out the acoustic version, too.

DANIELIA COTTON / “(I’m So) Afraid of Losing You Again”
Writers: Dallas Frazier/Doodle Owens; Producer: none listed; Label: DC
— This New Jersey native has dabbled in r&b and rock during the past 15 years. This country-soul tribute to Charley Pride finds her in excellent voice. She could use better production support on her revival of his 1969 classic.

WALKER HAYES & KESHA / “Fancy Like”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Cameron Bartolini/Shane Stevens/Josh Jenkins/Kesha; Producer: Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally & Joe Thibodeau; Label: Monument/RCA
— Nashville native popster Kesha adds her saucy verve to this Platinum-selling song of the summer. Melodically, it has nothing to do with country music. Lyrically, however, it’s a hillbilly delight. And the whole thing is still one nutty ear worm. If Ruby Tuesday, Ocharley’s, T.G.I. Friday, Chili’s, Logan’s or Zaxby’s pay to advertise on the radio station, don’t they object to giving free airtime to an Applebees commercial?

ADAM DOLEAC / “Somewhere Cool With You”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Josh Jenkins/Matt Jenkins/Jared Keim; Producer: Jared Keim; Label: Arista Nashville
— Adam was in the news this week when his sound-equipment trailer was stolen, then recovered. His new track yearns for a romantic getaway. Lulling and gentle, if not exactly memorable.

KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Justified”
Writers: Kacey Musgraves/Ian Fitchuk/Ilsey Juber/Brandon Joyner Burton; Producer: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian; Label: MCA Nashville/Interscope
— This sweet/sad heartbreak ballad has a spare, echoey production swirling around her tender soprano. Listenable, meandering and atmospheric. As light and lovey-dovey as Golden Hour was, the new LP Star-Crossed represents the darker side of love.

SAM WILLIAMS & DOLLY PARTON / “Happy All the Time”
Writers: Mary Gauthier/Sam Williams; Producer: Bobby Holland/Sean McConnell; Label: Mercury Nashville
— “Glasshouse Children,” the title tune of this guy’s debut album is a very slow dreamy ballad with strings. He picks up the pace a little on the collection’s collaborations with Keith Urban (”Kids”) or, in this case, Dolly. It’s still a ballad, but their voices brush against each other in a way that creates emotional intimacy and intensity. Sam is Hank Jr.’s boy—and the half brother of music makers Hank III, Hillary and Holly—but he is definitely his own man. Highly recommended.

BREI CARTER / “Gave Him a Girl”
Writers: Brei Carter/Mason Douglas/Jason Wyatt; Producer: none listed; Label: BC
— This Louisiana native is a PhD, the author of three books and a veteran Army officer. She’s also a feisty, sprightly country singer-songwriter. In this ditty, she flattens a bully with a right hook and announces that she can catch a bass, change a tire, skin a coon, drink, handle a gun and drive a tractor. Cute and catchy.

MITCHELL TENPENNY & CHRIS YOUNG / “At the End of a Bar”
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Chris Young/Mitchell Tenpenny; Producer: Chris Young/Chris DeStefano; Label: RCA Nashville
— Nobody sings a country song with as much power as Mr. Young, but Tenpenny gives it his all on this chesty, passionate, anthemic collaboration. These are two mighty worthy men.

CARLY PEARCE & ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Ashley McBryde/Shane McAnally; Producer: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Label: Big Machine/Warner
— In a word, sensational. The dobro-laced production, both women’s harmony voices, the story song, the swapped verses, the interwoven solo vocals …. everything works here. Ashley starts off, portraying the mistress. Carly picks up the tale, enacting the betrayed wife. They soar on the choruses together in dual heartache. For the love of country music, play this.

CODY JOHNSON / “Til You Can’t”
Writers: Ben Stennis/Matt Rogers; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Warner/COJO
— Cody has been delighting our ears by releasing track after track from his upcoming double album, Human (”Sad Songs and Waltzes,” “God Bless the Boy,” “Let’s Build a Fire,” etc). Now at last that collection has a single, and it is a dandy. It begins as a contemplative look at life and love, then evolves into a roaring barn burner about seizing today, living with gusto and chasing your dreams no matter how big. This is the sound of a superstar.

OLD DOMINION / “All I Know About Girls”
Writers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Trevor Joseph Rosen/Matthew Thomas Ramsey/Brad Francis Tursi/Whit Sellers/Geoffrey Sprung; Producer: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Label: Arista Nashville
— Softly jaunty and airy. The simplicity and open production of this are pleasantly ear-cleansing. As you might expect, the punch line is “I don’t know nothin’ at all.”

TYLAR BRYANT / “Stay Wild”
Writers: Bobby McLamb/Blaine Younger; Producer: Bryan Cole; Label: Riser
— No matter how work and life wear you down, remember to stay free and full of fire. Hang on for the processed-vocal chorus toward the finale. Engaging, energetic and promising.

Industry Ink: Blake Shelton, CMHOF, Musicians On Call

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Blake Shelton & Team Commemorate His 20-Year Career

Pictured (L to R): Kristen Williams (SVP Radio & Streaming, WMN); John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN); Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R, WMN); Blake Shelton; Ben Kline (EVP / GM, WMN); Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Entertainment); Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, WMN)

After celebrating his 27th and 28th back-to-back No. 1 singles–”Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere”–with wife and duet partner Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton commemorated his 20-year career on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Members of Shelton’s team surprised the multi-Platinum artist backstage at his sold-out Bridgestone Arena stop in Nashville with a special plaque. In his two-decades long career, Shelton has sold over 52 million singles and 13 million albums.

Shelton will continue on his “Friends and Heroes 2021” tour with upcoming shows in South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan before wrapping in Milwaukee on Oct. 2.

 

 

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Adds Kevin Fleming, Ups Sheldon Davis

Kevin Fleming & Sheldon Davis

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has made two changes to their staff with the addition of Kevin Fleming as Director of Library and Archival Collections, and the promotion of Sheldon Davis to Associate Director of Facilities.

In his new role, Fleming will lead preservation, organization and acquisition efforts for the museum’s manuscript, print, recorded sound, moving image, photograph, born-digital, library and reference collections. He will also work with library and archives staff to expand and increase access to the institution’s unparalleled country music online research collections.

Fleming comes to the museum after 13 years at Georgia State University where he served as the popular music and culture archivist and media preservation coordinator, while also holding the rank of librarian associate professor.

Davis will oversee operating systems for the museum which houses gallery and collection storage spaces, retail and restaurant establishments, and event and office facilities. His management oversight includes maintenance and facility improvements for the institution and its systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and more.

During his five-year tenure with the museum, Davis has served as Senior Maintenance Manager, supervising the staff of technicians.

 

 

Musicians On Call Honored At 2021 Zoomtopia Innovation Awards

Zoom has recently named Musicians On Call (MOC) the second place overall winner and Deepened Connections & Experiences category winner in the 2021 Zoomtopia Innovation Awards.

The nonprofit organization brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. Throughout the pandemic, MOC has developed innovative techniques to use Zoom to continue delivering live music to hospitals when they needed it the most.

“Receiving such high recognition from Zoom for our use of the platform in our virtual programs is an incredible honor for Musicians On Call. The fact that our organization’s innovations were showcased among the best of the best globally speaks volumes about the dedication and ingenuity of our team, volunteers, hospital partners and supporters. We would not have been able to make such unforgettable connections happen for deserving patients and caregivers over the past year without them,” shares Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin.

By integrating Zoom into its Virtual Bedside Performance Program, MOC reached more than 150,000 people in a single year with the healing power of music, the most in one year in the organization’s 20+ year history.

Through this initiative, MOC has connected Volunteer Guides and Volunteer Musicians for a 30-minute live performance from the safety of their own homes and arranged one-on-one visits between patients and Volunteer Musicians.