Last June, the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) published a report called ‘Three Chords & The Actual Truth’ which criticised the country music industry – labels and radio alike – for its lack of diversity.
Now BMAC has found a partner in that industry to try to tackle those issues. It is working with the Academy of Country Music (ACM) on a program called ‘OnRamp‘ that will support 20 young Black musicians and industry professionals in Nashville.
Applications will open later in spring ahead of the program’s kick-off in June, with each participant getting mentorship, access to events and training, and a monthly payment of $1k for a year.
The two organisations are working with social impact agency BreatheWithMe on the new program.
It’s one of several such initiatives happening in the country sector. mTheory’s ‘Equal Access’ program, which CEO Cameo Carlson talked about at the recent NY:LON Connect conference, being another.
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