Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has announced the 67th GRAMMY awards “in close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources…will proceed as planned.” The CBS telecast is scheduled for February 2nd and the CEO revealed the show will have a new motive… “raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.” The Recording Academy has already pledged $1-million through their non-profit MusiCares to the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort. Mason Jr. adds the GRAMMYS “will not only honor the artistry and achievements of our music community but also serve as a platform to amplify the spirit of resilience that defines this great city of Los Angeles.” This comes as news major labels like Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have cancelled all GRAMMY-focused events.
In other California Wildfire related news.....
Metallica are donating $500,000 for Los Angeles fire relief efforts through their All Within My Hands Foundation.
The band said in a statement that they're splitting the money between California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund and have asked their fans to donate to either organization
Metallica added, "In the past week, the community has suffered at least 24 lives lost, nearly 100,000 people under evacuation orders, 40,000 acres burned, and more than 12,000 structures—commercial and residential—destroyed. However, numbers cannot articulate the magnitude of anguish as the disaster upends families and dismantles livelihoods....join us in lending support."
Also related.....
Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith’s house has been lost the fires in Los Angeles. Smith’s wife, Natalie Dufresne-Smith, shared in a post to social media that they are safe and “will start again.” She previously shared footage of smoke coming from the hills near her, saying at the time that the neighborhood was safe at the moment, but admitted in another video “we have to go” before it became unsafe. They join a growing list of impacted musicians in the area, including Primus guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde, singer Jhené Aiko, and more.
Check out Natalie Dufrane-Smith's (Adrian's wife) post about it here on her official Instagram.