United Way/Hear & Film Fort Worth

Billy Bob’s Texas 39th Anniversary Online Concert Boosts Creative Industry Fundraiser

Grants Provided to 83 individuals in the music, film and visual arts professions

 

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (April 3, 2020) – Billy Bob’s Texas 39th Anniversary Facebook concert held on Wednesday streamed to a social media reach of 60,000 with over 25,000 unique views, boosting donations to the Creative Industry Relief Fund supported by United Way of Tarrant County, Hear Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Film Commission.  

Total community support for the fund has reached $20,000 with 83 individual grants. The fund will stay open as long as donations continue to come in.

Donations during the Billy Bob’s concert included a corporate gift from Fort Worth-based Dickies.

“As a Fort Worth-based company for nearly 100 years, Dickies has been locally supporting the dignity of work from independent makers and creators to traditional blue-collar workers,” said Craig Errington, Vice President of Marketing, Dickies. “The music community is going through a very challenging time, with events being canceled across the globe to ensure our communities are safe. Innovative platforms and fundraising efforts like this are key for artists to showcase their talent and keep the creative community moving forward.”

Smoothvega, one of the musicians featured in the Billy Bob’s 39th Anniversary concert is also a recipient of the creative industry relief grant.

“It really means a lot to have the support of the community right now,” said Smoothvega, a Fort Worth based rapper. “All of my gigs have been cancelled and I’m not sure when I will work again. Every little bit helps.”

Filmmakers and visual artists are among the 83 individuals to receive grants so far.

“Film, video, and photo production have come to a complete standstill,” said Grant Daniels, a Fort Worth based visual artist and photographer. “I had a handful commercial shoots cancel for March and my spring calendar cleared overnight. It’s inspiring to see the community come together to support the creative class during this unprecedented crisis.”

The initiative spearheaded by Hear Fort Worth is an extension of Fort Worth musician Rachel Gollay’s Artist & Service Worker Relief Fund, which raised the first $10,000 and provided support of $200 grants to 50 individuals.

The fund is open to Tarrant County musicians, filmmakers and visual artists. Qualified applicants will be eligible for a one-time grant of $300. Gifts to the fund will be 100% tax-deductible, with tax acknowledgements provided by United Way of Tarrant County for any individual donations of $250 or more.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.unitedwaytarrant.org/creatives.

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Visit Fort Worth is the official destination marketing organization of the 13th-largest city in the United States, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination with thriving centers of creativity, culture and commerce. Visit Fort Worth is the parent organization of The Fort Worth Herd, the Fort Worth Film Commission, Fort Worth Sports Commission and music initiative Hear Fort Worth.

About United Way of Tarrant County

United Way of Tarrant County has worked to improve the lives of those in our communities since 1922. As a nonprofit leader, we bring together individuals, groups, donors and service providers to help solve some of the toughest social issues affecting Tarrant County. Each year, United Way of Tarrant County helps more than 300,000 people through its resources. United Way of Tarrant County has no fees on donor designations, with 100 percent of the donations going to the selected agency or cause.