Musician Emergency Response Program

Backline Milwaukee and Motown Accelerator are hosting emergency two-week virtual programs for artists affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

These programs will feature daily webinars designed to identify, understand and help artists secure resources to withstand the current crisis. One-on-one office hours will also be available.

Program participants will attend lunch-time webinars with experts in the following topics:

-The step-by-step process of determining eligibility and applying for financial support from various organizations
-Navigating the opportunities in the virtual music industry
-Mental health and wellness resources
-Music Administration
-Upkeeping their digital presence

In addition to the weekly webinars Backline and Motown Accelerator will hold one-on-one office hours for artists to virtually meet with team. Our goal with office hours is to help businesses identify, understand, and engage with resources to help them during this crisis.

**All Times Eastern**
Monday, April 6
12:00 pM – ERP Intro + Maintaining Your Digital Presence
Hosted by Mag Rodriguez, Director at Backline
1:00 PM – *WISCONSIN ONLY* – Health Insurance Resources
Hosted by Nik Duke, Navigator at Covering Wisconsin
Wednesday, April 8
12:00 PM – Unemployment Resources and Small Business Loans for Artists
Hosted by Stephanie Hammonds, Owner at Law Office of Stephanie L. Hammonds
1:00 PM – Tik Tok
Hosted by Ogo Akamelu, Founder at Thirteenth
1:30 PM – Listening Sessions
Hosted by Bos, Multi-platinum producer
Friday, April 10
12:00 PM – Instagram
Hosted by Perry Bashkoff, Head of Music at Instagram
1:00 PM – Listening Session
Hosted by Anthony Morales, Director at APG/Atlantic
12:00 PM – Digital Marketing
Hosted by Nick Osborne, Vice President of Digital Strategy & Business Development at Universal Music Group
Monday, April 13
12:00 PM – *WISCONSIN ONLY* Local Resources with Imagine MKE
Hosted by Kennita Hickman, Director of Artist Support and Outreach at Imagine MKE
1:00 PM – Personal Finance
Hosted by Mike Merriman, President and Founding Partner at PARR3, LLC
Wednesday, April 15
12:00 PM – Music Industry Response to COVID-19
Hosted by Marc Byers, General Manager at Motown Records
1:00 PM – Mental Health
Hosted by Ami Bedi, Licensed Therapist
Friday, April 17
1:00 PM – Music Administration (Harry Fox, SoundExchange, PROs)
Hosted by Eddie Sanders, Attorney at Troglia Kaplan, LLC

The webinars are recorded and will be posted online.