Facebook Live Benefit For Harvey Relief
A Facebook Live Benefit concert with Christian music artists last week raised over $200k for Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas. The benefit hosted by Natalie Grant had an initial goal of $100K but surpassed that in just a couple of hours. “Together for Texas” originated in a small studio in Brentwood, money raised money will go to relief efforts thru Convoy of Hope.
But it’s not the fact that the dollars were raised (Christians always give) but rather that the group chose to use non traditional media as their platform.
KeepTheFaith Radio Executive Producer & Publisher David Sams shared his observations with HisAir.Net, “”I don’t know if people realize what a milestone this is for the future of our industry. What Natalie, Mandisa, Matthew West, Danny Gokey and friends did with this facebook live effort was to put the power back into the hands of the artists–those with huge social network tribes. This was not only a fundraiser for those suffering from Hurricane Harvey, it was a game changer for artists and creative expression. In addition, it is a clear warning to gatekeeper-controlled media. Huge tribes will replace tall towers in the not-so-distant future. Music and media companies had better realign their priorities now, before it’s too late. It’s time to think and to execute outside of the box. I always tell people that I choose to be a chameleon because the world is changing faster than the speed of light. If you conduct business as usual, you’re a dinosaur–and that will result in extinction.”
In addition to a performance by Grant, other Christian artists who participated include Jeremy Camp, Danny Gokey, Travis Greene, Mark Hall of Casting Crowns, Hannah Kerr, Matt Maher, Mandisa, Jonathan McReynolds, Ryan Stevenson and Matthew West.