COVID-19 pandemicGuitar legend Joe Bonamassa spends months each year on the road touring but lately he’s been at home, not playing gigs. He’s not the only one. Musicians across the world are seeing their incomes slashed due to shelter in place and stay at home orders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bonamassa’s 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Keeping the Blues Alive has begun an emergency initiative aimed at helping musicians struggling to survive in the difficult economy. The Fueling Musicians Program provides financial assistance for essential living expenses along with pre-paid fuel cards to qualified musicians in need.
Bonamassa will bring his signature blues rock style to the livestream.Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG
Volkswagen and Fender have teamed up to support a livestream fundraising concert by Bonamassa benefiting the program.
“We are so excited to be working with Joe on this meaningful and entertaining live stream,” said Saad Chehab, Senior Vice President, Volkswagen Brand Marketing. “When given the chance to support individuals in the music industry during this time, it felt like a true Drive Bigger moment that we wanted to be a part of.”
Bonamassa began his career as a child prodigy, opening for B.B. King at the age of 12 playing a 1972 Fender Stratocaster he called “Rosie”. That lead to even bigger gigs, playing on The Mickey Mouse Club in 1991, just a few years before Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling, and Justin Timberlake made it to the clubhouse.
Over the next 30 years, his fame continued to grow, playing with Greg Allman, Jethro Tull, Eric Clapton, and Warren Haynes among others. The 43-year old has won a Blues Music Award and been nominated for a Grammy all while showcasing his signature blues rock style.
Fender audio systems are available throughout the Volkswagen lineup as premium upgrades.Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG
In addition to being an artist, Bonamassa is a collector, having amassed 1000 guitars and amplifiers according to a 2019 article on GuitarPlayer.com.
“My sincerest thanks and gratitude to both Volkswagen and Fender Premium Audio for their generous support of our Fueling Musicians Program,” said Bonamassa. “Musicians have a tough road ahead and this will help them regroup until they can head out on the road again when everyone gets the green light.”
To watch the event, visit the VW Facebook page here on Thursday, May 14 at 8 pm EST.
To donate to the Fueling Musicians Program or to complete an application for assistance, visit www.KTBA.org.
