Just hours after the Recording Academy announced it plans to broadcast the 67th annual Grammy Awards on February 2 as scheduled, despite wildfires that devastated parts of Los Angeles last week, Universal Music Group ( UMG) announced that it was canceling all of the company’s Grammy-related events, including its artist showcase and Grammy afterparty, and “will instead redirect resources that would have been used for these events to help people affected by forest fires.
“Our deepest gratitude goes to the first responders and emergency personnel, who continue to behave heroically,” the company said in a statement. “LA is home to a lot of us. We are committed to helping and supporting the music community, our artists, our teams and the people of Los Angeles through this horrific episode.
The Recording Academy made a similar statement, although it came to a different conclusion.
“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. and Tammy Hurt, chair of the board, said in a statement released earlier today. “This city is our home and we mourn the loss of life and destruction that has been inflicted on it in recent days.
“In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th Grammy Awards broadcast on CBS on February 2 will proceed as planned,” they continued. “This year’s show, however, will have a renewed meaning: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the courage and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”
These local authorities would include Mayor Karen Bass’ office, public safety agencies and the fire department.
The Recording Academy’s plan is to continue television broadcasting. He hasn’t made any decisions about other Grammy Week events, such as the MusiCares Person of the Year event (which this year will honor the Grateful Dead) and the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards.
A major Grammy ancillary event, the Milk & Honey party, was canceled Sunday (Jan. 12) with a pointed message about the founder Lucas KellerInstagram story of. “I regret that we are canceling our annual pre-Grammy awards season event in partnership with Reservoir and others. … It would be tone deaf to celebrate and I hope all other businesses follow suit,” he wrote. “Don’t come to town for the Grammys and occupy hotels that people desperately need. Free up your hotel blocks or donate them. In the meantime, if you can, please donate money to MusiCares through this link to support wildlife rescue. Everything counts.
The Recording Academy and MusiCares launched the Los Angeles wildfire relief effort last week with an initial $1 million donation to support creatives and music professionals. “Through additional contributions, we have already distributed more than $2 million in emergency assistance to those who need it most – and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing continued assistance,” said Mason and Hurt in their press release.
