Winners: Sports & Entertainment and Giving Back

Last week we saw global awareness for International Women’s Day.  Just over five weeks ago on Episode 208 of the “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast we heard Blake Morgan talk about the IRespectMusic movement.  There have been many headlines in recent months about #MeToo and #TimesUp.  Then there are artists like Alyssa Jacey, the guest from both Episode 52 and Episode 2 of NHTE, who donates to the Alzheimer’s Association when people wear blue to her shows.

Sport has long been a powerful means of facilitating positive social change too.  As a shared experience for large and very diverse groups of people, sports events provide an authentic platform for powerful messages and courageous people.  Whether it was Jackie Robinson against racism, Muhammad Ali against war, or Billie Jean King against sexism, the voices were heard, the messages were clear, and America inevitably moved forward.

For over 100 years we’ve seen the Tour de France (for men) and now the principals of the Tour of America have a vision to deliver an entertaining world class sports event that showcases some of the best women cyclists in the world – and more than that.  They want to be the global gathering place for meaningful dialogue and actions to address what they believe is the world’s greatest problem: the obstacles to empowerment and equality that are imposed upon half of humanity.

When the Tour of America becomes a reality, it’s anticipated that – besides the race itself – it would include a festival with musical acts, pavilions/attractions, merchandise and an expo for the very large cycling community.  It’s a chance for host cities to show off their local talent and cultural offerings.

That’s not only good news, but fitting since sports and entertainment have become so interwoven.  Moreover, it’s another opportunity for performers to rally around a cause, as a part of giving back (as opposed to just one more event to submit your music to for purposes of getting booked to perform).  I just read this morning about a Tampa Bay Lightning player whose foundation is helping a young cancer patient.

I write this blog every week and host “Now Hear This Entertainment” and publish the Bruce’s Bonus Book eBook series so that aspiring performers can succeed.  But once that success is achieved it’s important to share the wealth.  That could range from helping a (literally) starving artist to aligning with a cause, like Jacey does with the Alzheimer’s Association, or like investors can do with the Tour of America.  I maintain that getting booked to perform music is a privilege, not a right.

It always interests me when a Grammy or Oscar winner will include a teacher from their school days in their acceptance speech.  The point is remembering how you got there, where you were, and how you can utilize your platform for the good – not just as a source of income.

Learn more about the Tour of America (#JoinTheJourney) here and listen to other stories of performers who’ve used their music to speak out and help others, such as Katie Belle on NHTE Episode 175 and Brielle Von Hugel, on NHTE Episode 147, among others.

Are you a performer who is involved with a cause?  Talk about this blog in our Facebook group!