The foundation will help support musicians battling mental health and addiction
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Marcus King has announced the launch of the Curfew Foundation, a new foundation dedicated to raising funds for various causes close to King’s heart and will develop a support system for musicians from all walks of life who are battling challenges with mental health and addiction.
The name Curfew is inspired by Matt Reynolds, a dear friend of King’s who was a singer-songwriter, tour manager, and pillar in the music community, who took his own life in 2017. Nicknamed “Curfew” by Colonel Bruce Hampton, his unexpected passing inspired Marcus and mutual friend Charles Hedgepath to name the foundation in Matt’s honor.
“I began the process of forming my non-profit organization Curfew Foundation with my friend, writing partner and fellow Greenville, South Carolina native, Charles Hedgepath in late 2018/early 2019,” King shares. “In the winter of 2020, the world shut down and put all plans on hold until further notice. I am so thrilled to finally have Curfew up and rolling again! De-stigmatizing, providing outreach and community around mental health issues within the arts community: this idea came to me after the death of multiple peers and friends within the music community and a feeling that something needed to change. I’m very excited to be PART of the change and PART of the community and team working to get the message out and to help those in need.”
The foundation launches with an exciting partnership with Live Nation which has pledged to contribute $1 from every ticket sold on the Mood Swings Tour, with Marcus King’s Family Reunion Festival in August also matching this commitment.
Curfew plans to focus on various areas of need, including supporting fine arts programs, particularly in underfunded areas, providing instruments and funding to music programs in schools. Additionally, the foundation will advocate for mental health, sobriety and addiction support, aiming to combat isolation by offering a hotline for those in crisis and emphasizing the importance of community support.
King also announced today in partnership with Stand Together, announced their partnership to bring 1 Million Strong on Kings’ Mood Swings The World Tour. King is the first artist partnering with 1 Million Strong on tour.
1 Million Strong is an impact initiative created in partnership between The Phoenix, Stand Together Music, and Stand Together Foundation that seeks to transform the way people think about and approach addiction and recovery, starting in the music industry, where 56% of industry professionals struggle with substance use.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month and the kickoff of Mood Swings The World Tour, King is aiming to inspire others to prioritize mental health and support sober touring musicians and fans. King is launching an exciting new initiative with Stand Together Music including sober-supportive, mental health, and wellness activations throughout his tour launching May 6th.
Together, King and 1 Million Strong are working to build a more inclusive experience for the sober community who live and work in a historically alcohol-exposed environment and often feel marginalized from the rest of the music community. Mood Swings The World Tour will include initiatives throughout the tour (subject to change per venue): including elevated Marcus King-themed mocktails which will be available for concert attendees and guests to enhance their sober party experience.
“Music brings people together, breaks down barriers, and accelerates change. In that unity, we have the opportunity to drive real progress in the addiction, recovery, and mental health space by partnering with Marcus King,” said Colette Weintraub, Head of Stand Together Music, Sports & Entertainment. “There can be a prevailing belief in society that people who are struggling with addiction or mental health are deficient or broken. We don’t believe that. We believe people are strong and resilient. We are grateful to Marcus for his partnership and for leading the way for artists by championing the important work of destigmatizing addiction recovery in the music industry. Together throughout Mood Swings The Would Tour we will focus on the power of community, so we can better support those impacted by addiction.”
King’s US tour is officially underway, and the Marcus King Band and their family and friends will descend on Simpsonville, South Carolina, for the Marcus King Band Family Reunion, a two-day festival featuring Marcus King Band, The Avett Brothers, Band of Horses, Sierra Ferrell, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Nikki Lane of Greenville, at CCNB Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 24th, and Sunday, August 25th. The annual event, which will make its first appearance in South Carolina in 2024, features a lineup curated by King himself that also includes Darby Wilcox, Kashus Culpepper, Ethan Regan, Barrett, and Britti.
King is a Grammy-nominated fourth-generation musician from Greenville, who started playing guitar at eight years old following in the footsteps of his guitarist Father and Grandpa. Logging thousands of miles on the road as The Marcus King Band, he established himself with unparalleled performance prowess and a dynamic live show. His solo debut El Dorado, garnered a Grammy Award nomination in the category of Best Americana Album. In between packing venues on his own, he performed alongside Chris Stapleton (he opens for him once again at U.S. Bank Stadium – Minneapolis), Greta Van Fleet, and Nathanial Rateliff in addition to gracing the bills of Stagecoach and more with one seismic show after the next. He has been open about his challenges with mental health in his songs and throughout his career and has launched various mental health initiatives, most recently a guitar auction collaboration with MusiCares.
