Backline raises $40K to support mental health & wellness in the music industry at World Mental Health Day 2023 in Nashville

Backline, a 501(c) nonprofit organization that provides mental health and wellness resources to the music industry and their family members, hosted their second annual World Mental Health Day Benefit Show last week. Held in one of America’s great music cities, Nashville, Tennessee’s Brooklyn Bowl Nashville hosted a celebratory evening of music, including sets of original music from Rett Madison and Lindsay Lou leading into a Tom Petty Tribute set led by Derek Wells and headlined by the legendary Wynonna Judd. Joining the stage over the course of the evening was Charles Kelley (Lady A), Brittney Spencer, Charles Wesley Godwin, and up-and-coming artists Drake Milligan, Josiah & the Bonnevilles, Madeline Edwards, Sierra Hull, Vince Herman, Ben Chapman, Meg McRee, and Wyatt Flores.

The night acknowledged the necessity of mental wellness within the music industry, and showcased Backline’s efforts to improve access to quality resources through partnership and programming. Thanks to the supportive community and musical collaborators, Backline raised $40,000 on Tuesday night, every dollar of which will go to the organization’s continued expansion. It costs Backline an average of $35 to help one individual and the funds raised during World Mental Health Day will increase the organization’s capacity to connect more people with life-saving care.

Eventric Master Tour also took the stage on Tuesday to announce a groundbreaking new feature in their popular touring software: the Mental Health Button in Master Tour mobile. All Master Tour app users can now access mental health resources immediately including: The Crisis Text Line and The National Sucicide Hotline, as well as Backline’s key programs including Case Management, one-on-one support for individuals in creating a specific mental health plan; weekly virtual Support Groups that provide safe spaces for music industry professionals; and free Wellness Offerings. With this new partnership, Backline’s resources will reach 250,000 new users. The funds raised during World Mental Health Day are especially vital as Backline prepares to scale in 2024 to meet the anticipated influx of new clients thanks to this extraordinary new reach

The Handle with Care Benefit Show was the bookend for the Harmony In Practice Clinical Training Workshops for mental health providers that Backline hosted at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center this week. The workshops were sponsored by Warner Chappell Music, and allowed practitioners who attended to receive certified continuing education credits while equipping them with invaluable skills and tools to effectively support their clients. The Clinical Training Workshops demonstrates the organization’s deepest commitment yet towards ensuring the music industry is resourced to provide care to its members.

Backline’s Executive Director, Hilary Gleason said, “Our events in Nashville really represented who we are as an organization, as they helped us to build impact and celebrate our growing community. In the four years since we built Backline, we have never had a bigger week than this – where we achieved two long-standing goals: hosting the first-ever Clinical Training Workshops on working with music industry families, and announcing our massive awareness-building partnership with Master Tour. We are grateful for everyone who showed up to be a part of this moment, that helps us look to the future with more clarity, conviction and hope.”

About the Show:

Handle with Care House Band Led by Derek Wells

Song List:

· Refugee and Breakdown performed by Wynonna Judd

· Even the Losers performed by Wyatt Flores

· American Girl performed by Meg Mcree

· You Wreck Me performed by Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown

· Last Night performed by Vince Herman

· I Won’t Back Down performed by Vince Herman and Lindsay Lou

· Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around performed by Rett Madison

· Southern Accents performed by Charles Kelley

· You Don’t Know How It Feels performed by Ben Chapman