'ACM Lifting Lives' Fund To Launch During ACM Special

ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, has established the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund to assist individuals in the country music industry suffering a major financial setback due to the global pandemic. Bobby Bones, iHeartMedia’s leading country radio host and ACM Radio Award National On-Air Personality of the Year, will introduce the fund in a special package that is set to air during ACM Presents: Our Country, airing Sunday, April 5 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT and 7:00 PM CT) on the CBS Television Network and on CBS All Access.

According to a press release, the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund will start with an initial donation of $250,000 as well as an additional matching donation from ACM partners, sponsors and third-party donors, including The Bobby Bones Show, FirstNet, Built with AT&T and Amazon Music. The fund will be available to members of the country music industry who meet the outlined criteria and can demonstrate the immediate need for financial assistance. Applications are available at ACMLiftingLives.org.

“ACM Lifting Lives is proud to have a long-standing history of supporting individuals in the country music industry who need some assistance getting back on their feet during these unfortunate times, with the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund,” said Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives. “With this new ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, we hope to help alleviate some of the burden our music community faces; including the musicians, bus drivers, tour crews, songwriters, the list goes on and on during these unprecedented times.”

Those interested in donating as a third-party donor can visit the ACM Lifting Lives website to learn more.

ACM Presents: Our Country will be hosted by Gayle King and will include performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown & John Legend, Luke Bryan, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

Additionally, the star-studded special will feature a tribute to the late Kenny Rogers with performances by Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker.