Willie Nelson, who has always championed the significance of live performances and fair compensation for artists, recently launched a new program to support up-and-coming musicians. The initiative is designed to alleviate some of the financial insecurities these artists face in the course of their careers, especially when starting out, still trying to establish themselves.
Nelson partnered with Live Nation to launch the groundbreaking initiative called On the Road Again which is named after one of his 1980 hit singles. The program is designed to cater to the needs of emerging artists and their teams who are grappling with the rising costs of touring.
Willie Nelson launches support for upcoming talents
Under this initiative, Live Nation-owned and operated clubs will offer $1,500 in gas and travel expenses per show to both headliners and supporting acts, in addition to their standard nightly performance fees. In a significant boost to artists’ earnings, these clubs will also waive merchandise selling fees, enabling artists to keep the full profits.
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Beyond direct artist support, On the Road Again will contribute $5 million to Crew Nation, a global relief fund created through a partnership between Live Nation and the Music Forward Foundation dedicated to providing financial assistance to live music crews worldwide while ensuring that those behind the scenes are also supported during challenging times.
A beneficiary of the program expresses enthusiasm at the kind gesture
Since its launch, the program has profoundly impacted the careers of many aspiring musicians and helped them to achieve their dreams. Among the beneficiaries is MC Chris, a rap and nerdcore artist who has been making music independently since 2001, without the backing of a record label, and has faced significant financial challenges, particularly when it comes to funding live performances and club tours.
In an appreciation post on Instagram, MC Chris recounted a memorable experience during one of his performances in Madison. After the show, he was surprised to receive his agreed-upon gig pay and on top of that, he got an extra $1,500 extra from Nelson himself. Chris expressed his profound gratitude for the gesture, describing it as an act of generosity.