ACM Lifting Lives streams this weekend to support music industry needy

Friday, April 16, 2021 – ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, announced today the Official 56th ACM Awards Playlist: Stream for a Cause initiative to benefit the ACM's COVID-19 Response Fund.

The fund was created in early April 2020 to assist individuals working in the country music industry who are suffering a financial crisis as a result of the pandemic.

The Stream for a Cause ACM promotion goes live today through Monday, April 19. The playlist will be available on Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tidal and YouTube Music. Labels including Big Machine Label Group, Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group will also take part in supporting this cause.

Amazon kicks off Stream for a Cause with a donation to the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund. Since 2020, Lifting Lives has raised more than $3.5 million, and the Stream for a Cause initiative has already helped raise more money to donate.

Stream for a Cause is launching during a difficult time as needs remain great within the country music industry. Ashley Eicher further explores this continued need in a new Universal Music Group web series that interviews both artists and recipients of the COVID-19 Response Fund. The first episode, launched on Wednesday, with Chrissy Metz, Kip Moore, Jimmie Allen and Tenille Townes. The four discussed life before the pandemic, navigating the impact of COVID-19 on the music industry, getting back out on the road and how to contribute to the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund.

"We're honored to have the support of all major DSPs and record labels in anticipation of our first-ever Stream for a Cause initiative," said Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives. "We couldn't imagine a better way to support members of the country music community in need than by streaming the music they've created. A special thank you to Amazon for jumpstarting the event with a donation to our COVID-19 Response Fund and Universal Music Group for spearheading these initiatives to support our industry. We look forward to a weekend of streaming for a great cause."