Sweet Relief Fund
Encyclopedia
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is a non-profit charity
that maintains a financial fund from which professional musicians can draw from when in need of medical care or financial needs. Initially intended as a one-time CD launch benefit for Victoria Williams, Sweet Relief has evolved into a charity organization that relies on donations from artists and the public as a general fund to all professional musicians in need. The fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling with their finances while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.
fell ill with multiple sclerosis
in 1993 and had no way to pay for her own overwhelming medical expenses. Money was raised to help her via benefit concerts and the release of a CD Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams
, which was performed by other musical artists including Lou Reed
and Pearl Jam
.
was released in 1996. All of the proceeds went toward Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to aid the organization. A variety of alternative rock artists volunteered their time to perform a variety of songs from Vic Chesnutt
. Some well-known artists including Garbage
, R.E.M.
, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Smashing Pumpkins
, Joe Henry
and Madonna
performed for the CD.
Exceptions may be made to any individual who does not meet these criteria but believes himself or herself to be eligible for assistance.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
that maintains a financial fund from which professional musicians can draw from when in need of medical care or financial needs. Initially intended as a one-time CD launch benefit for Victoria Williams, Sweet Relief has evolved into a charity organization that relies on donations from artists and the public as a general fund to all professional musicians in need. The fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling with their finances while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.
Founding & First CD Release
The organization was started after musician and singer Victoria WilliamsVictoria Williams
Victoria Williams is an American singer-songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. She is noted for her descriptive songwriting talent, which she has used to immerse the listener of her songs into a...
fell ill with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
in 1993 and had no way to pay for her own overwhelming medical expenses. Money was raised to help her via benefit concerts and the release of a CD Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams
Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams
Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams is a 1993 tribute album that features a variety of alternative rock bands covering songs written by Victoria Williams...
, which was performed by other musical artists including Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
and Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
.
Second CD Release
A second CD titled Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the SituationSweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation
Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation is a 1996 tribute album that featured a variety of alternative rock bands covering songs written by quadriplegic musician Vic Chesnutt...
was released in 1996. All of the proceeds went toward Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to aid the organization. A variety of alternative rock artists volunteered their time to perform a variety of songs from Vic Chesnutt
Vic Chesnutt
James Victor "Vic" Chesnutt was an American singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990, but his breakthrough to commercial success didn't come until 1996 with the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute album of mainstream artists...
. Some well-known artists including Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
, R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
, Joe Henry
Joe Henry
Joseph Lee "Joe" Henry is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Henry's musical style spans several genres, including alt. country, rock, jazz and folk.- Early years :...
and Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
performed for the CD.
Services
Sweet Relief provides service to the music community through financial assistance in the following categories:- Insurance Premiums
- Prescriptions
- Housing Costs
- Food Costs
- Alternative Therapies/Treatments not covered by insurance
Criteria for Eligibility
Candidacy for assistance depends, among other factors, on the availability of funds and the number of eligible applicants, along with the following criteria:- The applicant must be a musician who has regular public performances, or performed on at least three widely released recordings (audio or audiovisual), or written music that has been performed on three widely released recordings, or published on three occasions.
- The applicant must demonstrate financial need.
- Older musicians that require short-term assistance for basic needs.
- Except for retired or semi-retired older musicians, the applicant must have, or recently have had, a serious medical condition. A condition is considered to be serious when it substantially affects the applicant’s ability to work within or outside the music industry.
Exceptions may be made to any individual who does not meet these criteria but believes himself or herself to be eligible for assistance.
Board of Directors
- Victoria WilliamsVictoria WilliamsVictoria Williams is an American singer-songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. She is noted for her descriptive songwriting talent, which she has used to immerse the listener of her songs into a...
- Founder, Singer/songwriter and musician - J. Mark Matthews MD
- Ariel HyattAriel HyattAriel Hyatt is an American music publicist and social media strategist. She's president and founder of Ariel Publicity, a social media PR firm based in New York City, and Cyber PR, her online brand. She recently authored the book Music Success in 9 Weeks....
- David Bournasian
- Paul Fox
- Martin Kamenski
- Matthew Kaplan
Advisory Board
- Jared Levy
- Mike Rouse
- Don Strasburg
- Eric Pirritt
- Benjamin Myers
- Regius Gunawan
- Keith Mitchell
- Eric Mayers
Notable Supporters
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has worked with many notable musicians. A list of supporters, past and present, is shown below:- 311311 (band)311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
- A Perfect CircleA Perfect CircleA Perfect Circle is an American rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The original incarnation of the band also included Paz Lenchantin on bass, Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, and Tim Alexander on drums...
- AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
- Alan JacksonAlan JacksonAlan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
- Alanis MorissetteAlanis MorissetteAlanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
- Alice CooperAlice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
- Ani DiFrancoAni DiFrancoAni DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
- Ashlee SimpsonAshlee SimpsonAshlee Nicole Simpson is an American singer and actress. In 2004, she rose to prominence with the success of her number-one debut album Autobiography and the reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show. In October 2005, following a North American concert tour and a film appearance, Simpson released...
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Discography (Benefit Albums)
- Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria WilliamsSweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria WilliamsSweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams is a 1993 tribute album that features a variety of alternative rock bands covering songs written by Victoria Williams...
(1993) - Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the SituationSweet Relief II: Gravity of the SituationSweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation is a 1996 tribute album that featured a variety of alternative rock bands covering songs written by quadriplegic musician Vic Chesnutt...
(1996) (Tribute/Benefit for Vic ChesnuttVic ChesnuttJames Victor "Vic" Chesnutt was an American singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990, but his breakthrough to commercial success didn't come until 1996 with the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute album of mainstream artists...
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