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Hearing Health Fund includes free hearing screenings with audiologists, free high-quality earplugs  LOS ANGELES (March 25, 2025) – A staggering 40 percent of musicians and those working in the music industry experience noise-induced hearing loss, prompting Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and Sweetwater to tackle the issue head-on. Launched today, The Hearing Health Fund at Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, in partnership with Sweetwater, provides essential support for the growing number of music industry professionals who face hearing-related challenges. Repeated exposure over time to loud sounds can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and other auditory issues, putting musicians and music industry workers at higher risk of developing hearing loss than the general public. Research shows that 7 in 10 music venue staff are exposed to noise levels above the daily recommended limit. What’s more, 70 percent reported that they never used hearing protection, and only 15 percent reported using hearing protection regularly. These findings are concerning to Todd Page, MD, who has a vested interest in protecting the hearing of music makers and music listeners, alike. Dr. Page is Sweetwater’s in-house family physician who provides medical care for employees (many of whom are active musicians) and their families. “Screening is essential to protecting musicians from hearing loss because once the damage is done, there’s no going back to ‘normal.’ It’s heartbreaking telling a fellow musician their tinnitus isn’t fixable; that it’s too late to reverse it, and all they can do is adapt and try to keep it from progressing,” explained Dr. Page. “Getting musicians to respect the need for hearing protection despite a sense of ‘it won’t happen to me’ is so important when they’re just starting their musical journey.” The Hearing Health Fund includes a free, three-part hearing screening with a certified audiologist and free Etymotic Research ER-20XS High Fidelity Earplugs. The free consultation includes:
Sweetwater, the No. 1 online retailer for music gear, is synonymous with sound expertise—the company also creates and delivers immersive audio experiences at major-league stadiums, concert halls, houses of worship, and more. But more importantly, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund teamed with Sweetwater on this effort because of their shared mission of caring for musicians. “We’re thrilled to partner with Sweetwater to bring this vital resource to our music community, as we share a goal to keep musicians healthy,” said Aric Steinberg, Executive Director, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. “Music-induced hearing loss and disorders are 100% preventable. Our free hearing health screenings are another way for Sweet Relief to care for musicians and to help ensure that people of all income levels have access to quality medical resources.” To apply for the Hearing Health Fund, complete the simple, online form available at https://www.sweetrelief.org/hearinghealthfund. For additional details about care for tinnitus or for amplification devices, contact the Sweet Relief team at [email protected] see if more coverage is possible. About Sweetwater
The No. 1 online retailer for music makers, Sweetwater is trusted and beloved by millions of musicians, sound engineers, band and orchestra directors, and podcasters who rely on the company to help advance their musical and creative journeys. From beginners to rock stars, music makers everywhere seek out Sweetwater’s industry-leading expertise, including in-depth product videos to inform their purchases and unrivaled post-care support. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and founded in 1979, Sweetwater Sound, LLC credits its four decades of profitability to its 2,300 employees and its deep understanding of the profound connection that music makers have with their craft, their gear and the creative process. Sweetwater is amplifying change through music, lifting up communities by creating, empowering, and caring about the music makers of tomorrow and today. For more information, visit: https://www.sweetwater.com/. About Sweet Relief Sweet Relief was founded in 1994 by singer-songwriter Victoria Williams, and has been providing financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers ever since. Over the years, Sweet Relief has provided financial assistance to countless members of the music community who are struggling to make ends meet while facing physical or mental health issues, disability, or age-related problems. Connect with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X For Sweet Relief Musicians Fund press inquiries please contact: Jeff Kilgour | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 917.678.4420 Allie Gruensfelder | The Syndicate | [email protected] | 201.864.0900 x264 LONE HAWK HATS & HONEYWOOD VINTAGE LAUNCH AUCTION TO BENEFIT SWEET RELIEF NATURAL DISASTER FUND3/12/2025 Daily auctions signed hats from LP, Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr, Cree Summer, Josh Holloway, Dan Stevens + more Beginning March 15 on @LoneHawkHats  Photo credit: Jenna Peffley Los Angeles, CA (March 12, 2025) - As part of the ongoing Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts, Charlie Overbey & Vanessa Dingwall, founders of Lone Hawk Hats & Honeywood Vintage will be launching an auction across social media, where fans can bid on their iconic signed hats. Benefiting Sweet Relief Natural Disaster Fund, signed hats will be available daily including, but not limited to, singer/songwriter LP, Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr, Taime Downe from Faster Pussycat, along with actors, Cree Summer, Dan Stevens, Josh Holloway, Brian Konoval, 1883 & 1923 Costume designer Gaby Acosta, among others. Beginning March 15, details can be found in the Instagram feed @lonehawkhats and at sweetrelief.org.
Actor Josh Holloway shares “We wear many hats throughout our careers as actors. It's always something special when the hat you're wearing (project or charity) is as cool as the actual hat you're wearing! Thank you Lone Hawk Hats/Honeywood Vintage LA Fire Relief effort for letting me be a part!” “I have had the privilege of collaborating with Lonehawk Hats on the television series 1883 and 1923. I am honored to be a part of raising funds to support families affected by the recent Los Angeles fire tragedy.” Gaby Acosta, Co-Costume Designer for 1883 & 1923 shares and adds “As a lifelong resident of Los Angeles, I have witnessed the remarkable unity and compassion displayed by the community in response to this crisis. I am grateful to be part of it.” Charlie Overbey & Vanessa Dingwell are no strangers to using their platforms for fundraising and stepping up to help a community in need. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Lone Hawk Hats & Honeywood Vintage, with the help of their celebrity clientele, raised well over $100,000 utilizing a live social media auction for Navajo Nation Covid Relief benefitting Navajo Nation via The United Natives Foundation. That same year, Overbey also recorded the single “Ode To John Prine” for Save Our Stages with members of Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Guitarist Jimmy Vivino, Singer LP, and daughter, Katie Overbey. Sweet Relief Joins Spark , A New BMI Program to Help Music Creators Thrive Throughout Their Career3/11/2025  Sweet Relief is excited to be a part of the launch of BMI's Spark, an exciting new program designed to help music creators thrive throughout every stage of their career. Available to BMI songwriters, composers and producers, Spark features exclusive offers and special discounts on leading music creation tools and tech, valuable career insights, educational content and health and wellness resources, all tailored to ignite the creative development, lifestyles and well-being of BMI’s affiliates.
BMI’s music creators can access Spark through the company’s online services portal for more information about each of the special offers available to them. As the program develops and expands, more partners and offerings will be added to even further serve BMI’s family of songwriters, composers and producers. Performing at various “perches” on Sunset Blvd., artists will include Dustbowl Revival, Ruby Friedman Orchestra, Living Sisters, Tony Gilkyson, Rick Shea, Ted Russell Kamp, Hollywood Highsteppers, Fernando Perdomo, and Ilana Katz Katz  LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The music community wasted no time in coming to the aid of those rendered homeless following the January wildfires in and around Los Angeles, with benefit concerts popping up in arenas, theaters, nightclubs and roadhouses. Now a fleet of buskers will take to the streets for Busk-Aid, a benefit featuring both local and out-of-town performers gathering in the 1800 block of the city’s Sunset Blvd., in Echo Park, on Sunday, March 30, from 3-8 p.m.
Busk-Aid is presented in association with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, who will donate proceeds where most needed among musicians displaced in the fires. The Wild Honey Foundation, an organization devoted to passing on the passion, creativity, and idealism found in rock, R&B, folk, and pop music to future generations, is helping with logistics for the festival. The event is free, with performers stationed at The Echo, Stories BooksCafe, Masa and Señor Fish, all located at or around the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and LeMoyne St. in the heart of L.A.’s Echo Park. Although the music will be free, Busk-Aid is asking for folks to donate to Sweet Relief's Natural Disaster Relief Fund on their contribution page HERE.  Donate to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and support musicians and music industry workers impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina—and you could win an unforgettable trip to join Rhiannon Giddens for the first inaugural Biscuits & Banjos Festival in Durham, NC!
This unique trip includes round-trip travel and a 3-night hotel stay for two, plus weekend passes to enjoy incredible performances across multiple venues from April 25-27, 2025. The highlight? A biscuit-baking session and breakfast hang with the festival’s curator, the legendary Rhiannon Giddens. You'll also take home a banjo signed by Rhiannon and a swag bag featuring an embroidered apron, biscuit cutter, local honey, golden banjo pin, and a Biscuits & Banjos tote. Founded by GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens, the festival celebrates Black music, art, and culture in her home state of North Carolina. Don’t miss your chance to meet this iconic artist and experience the rich history and community spirit of Biscuits & Banjos! Help those impacted by Hurricane Helene for your chance to win a weekend of music for the first ever Biscuits & Banjos in Durham, NC this Spring! Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio, Billy Strings, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Mike Gordon, Widespread Panic, Warren Haynes & More Join the Effort to Support LA Wildfire Relief In Partnership with Song Summit Foundation & Fandiem For more information, please visit helponthewayla.org  Help on the Way LA was created in response to the widespread destruction caused by the Altadena wildfires, which displaced families, destroyed homes, and left entire communities struggling to rebuild. Organized by Eric “Kraz” Krasno in partnership with the Song Summit Foundation & Fandiem, the initiative is rallying musicians and fans to provide urgent support to children and musicians who have lost everything.
“As many of you know, our neighborhood was nearly destroyed by the Eaton fire. My son’s school burned, and countless friends lost their homes and surrounding community. In the midst of the madness, I decided to reach out to friends in the music community to raise some money and help those in need…. In partnership with Song Summit Foundation we started HELP ON THE WAY LA. Right away so many amazing artists got involved and signed instruments, photos & merch that we will be up for auction and sweepstakes through Fandiem following our benefit show at the Lodge Room in LA. So far we have signed guitars from Dave Matthews, Billy Strings, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Trey Anastasio, John Scofield and many others plus signed photos from Bob Weir, Mike Gordon and a list of other items being added. Our beneficiaries include the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club, which has been providing mental health and physical support to displaced children/families and hundreds of children who lost their schools in the fires, as well as Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which is assisting musicians who lost their homes and instruments. I wanna send a Huge thanks to the massive generosity from Gibson guitars, Beth Heidt, D’Angelico guitars, Justin Frieddman, Jay Blakesberg for the amazing prints, and of course Song Summit, Ross James and Fandiem for helping put this all together. Please go to HelpOnTheWayLA.org to for more info.” -Eric Krasno “We believe in the power of music to bring people together, heal, and create real impact. The devastation caused by the LA fires has left so many in need, and as a foundation dedicated to using music for wellness and community support, we feel compelled to act. This benefit concert and auction will not only raise critical funds for those affected but also serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience that music can inspire in times of crisis.” -Paige Anderson, Founder of Song Summit Foundation Beneficiaries of Help on the Way LA include the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club, which has been providing support to hundreds of children who lost their schools and homes, and Sweet Relief, which is assisting musicians who lost their homes and instruments. Fans can donate through Fandiem for a chance to win unique prizes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences from some of the world’s most legendary artists, including:
More prizes and exclusive opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks, keeping the fundraising efforts alive as the need continues beyond the news cycle. |
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