Jim Ernst, Emerging Leader
Musicians by nature are emotionally connected to the world in profound ways. They are able to see and feel things in a way that is unique to their views. Because of their strong emotional connection to the world they are drawn to helping others and making the world we live in a better place. To understand why the creative culture gets involved with certain causes, here are five key reasons that drive their passions.
Raising Visibility
Many musicians support a cause because they want to elevate awareness in society. Bono is one of the best examples of this. AIDS awareness and prevention in Africa is a major issue, but does not always take center-stage in developed nations. Bono spends a lot of his time sponsoring AIDS awareness with (RED). Through various concerts and speaking engagements Bono works with (RED) to raise awareness and educate the developed world on the prevalence of AIDS in third world nations.
Sharing Values
Through profound personal experiences, some musicians are inspired to reach out and spread awareness. These musicians are often cancer survivors or recovering addicts. Melissa Etheridge is a great example of a musician that has reached out to support breast cancer awareness after surviving the disease. From performing at Hard Rock’s Pinktober Breast Cancer Awareness event to writing the song “Run for Life” for the Race for the Cure event, Etheridge is constantly promoting breast cancer research and awareness.
Educate
Sometimes, the general public are not informed of the cause or ways to volunteer. The Barenaked Ladies are constantly working with groups to increase awareness and educate their audiences. One organization they are currently working with is ABC CANADA–a private-sector group that tries promote adult literacy in Canada. They recently teamed up with Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and created the “If I had a Million Flavours” ice cream that helps raise awareness and the proceeds go to ABC CANADA.
Empower People
Part of the time musicians work to help others get back on their feet. Sweet Relief is a musician’s charity that aims to raise money for other musicians struggling with drug addiction. Sweet Relief holds benefit concerts to raise money to help pay struggling musicians to live and go through rehab. Each musician helped is encouraged to help out other musicians in need.
Fundraising
Bands are usually the first group to volunteer to use their creative talents to raise funds for an individual or a charity. Charity: Water is an organization that raises funds for well development in Ethiopia. This past year they reached out to local groups and created Twestival. On February 12th, 2009 five local Rochester bands, including Park Ave Band and Waxmen supported this cause and held a concert that helped add to the 250k that was raised.
Photo from Stock.Xchng
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