Testimonials
The Songwriter Fund has been in operation since we opened applications on May 15th, 2020. As we continue to process applications, we give those who are receiving funds the opportunity to share their experience with us.
Inspired? Help us make more songwriters lives easier during this difficult time.
“Sometimes I can’t believe what I get to do for a living is a real job. I’ve been making music since I was a kid in my bedroom, and now having the opportunity to do it every day with co-writers and artists I get to call friends is a real blessing. I have been reflecting on that a lot during the quarantine. I’m really grateful to SONA and the donors of this grant for believing in what we do and for helping to provide support for us to continue making art in these hard times!”
— anonymous
“It is so heartwarming to see others who believe in songwriters and what we do enough to ‘step up’ in these most challenging times to help us with your generous financial support via this fund. I know that many of the donors funding this are people and companies who are already directly involved in the world and community of songwriters, and so surely you understand how needed and humbly grateful we are for your support.”
— anonymous
“As a film composer, our jobs are usually able to apply for near the end of production, and due to the industry shutting down, the available projects to apply for have been drastically reduced by a fraction. This assistance will surely help me get through these times while the community gets back up and running…
My songwriting and composer career mean everything to me. It allows me to fulfill my true calling in life, and that is to create, and luckily with other inspiring individuals. It's sometimes difficult to convince others of just how important an original piece of music is to our community. It's what allows us to grow as a culture and progress into the next generation of music. The reason why this assistance means SO MUCH to me is because it reminds me that my hard work IS being recognized and does feed into the development of our musical community. Thank you again SO MUCH!”
— Iran
“Songs, like all great art, help foster understanding — something that we are in short supply of today. I deeply appreciate the help during this trying time for the world and our industry. It will help me remains focused on my art. Thank you.”
— anonymous
“I am so grateful to all of the Donors and to be chosen… I can’t thank you enough to all the wonderful donors. This pandemic has hit me very hard and this will help out so much. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!”
— anonymous
“Songwriting is all about the dance for me: words with melody, voice against instrument, music and the audience. All these points of contact create the cohesion that our very society depends on to know itself. Our job gets bigger each day and we must keep showing up on the stage, we never know whose life we might save.”
— Trevor
“Thanks so much SONA for giving me the support to continue my journey as a songwriter. Songwriting has given me the opportunity to have a voice and the opportunity to connect with people all over the world”
— Candace
“Through my music and songwriting, I have been given so many physical and digital platforms to share my voice and my words. I have been given an innumerable amount of experiences and opportunities to connect with people. I am so honored and humbled.
It is such a privilege to have found organizations like SONA to support people like myself and continue doing what I love.”
— anonymous
“I am incredibly grateful to SONA for their generosity and tenacity in setting up this fund for songwriters. I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer at the same time that the world fell off it’s axis due to Covid-19. I had two surgeries during the month of April 2020 and medical expenses are overwhelming, on top of the entertainment industry being on pause, but I feel very supported and boosted by this grant, thank you SONA!”
— Samantha
“There's a song for everything. From the high of falling in love to the devastation of heartbreak. Songs that make you cry and songs that make you want to party. Confidence boosters and empowering anthems. As a songwriter, it's our job to take these life moments and make them last forever. The last few months have been an emotional whirlwind for many, but I know when I'm feeling lost and confused, I turn to music. I wholeheartedly believe music can change the world, so I feel SO lucky to be a professional songwriter. Thank you to all the donors for giving us writers a sense of security in these uncertain times so we can focus on making the world a little brighter through our songs.”
— Cali
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been given some financial relief at a time of great uncertainty. What I am sure of is my love of songwriting and the fulfillment it brings to my life. Thank you for supporting my dreams and my work. Your generosity will not be forgotten.”
— anonymous
“I greatly appreciate this opportunity from SONY ATV and SONA to continue my career as a songwriter/producer/artist. Writing songs has offered me some of the most amazing times of my life. When writing my own music I get super emotional and it’s like therapy. My goal with writing for other artists is to tell their story and to help shape their vision in the best way possible. Seeing the artist’s reaction and feeling the vibe of the room when you nail that hook or melody is infectious! The folks at SONA are on the frontlines fighting daily for the rights of songwriters and care deeply about the community and keeping its creators going strong! I’m new to this organization but it already feels like home!”
— Jordan
“SONA has not only taught me so much about the industry and our rights as creators. But has also been present when we most needed help and a hand. Thank you for being incredible.”
— anonymous
“Songwriting is my passion, but it is also part of my living and recent events have made earning an income in the music business nearly impossible for many thousands. Songwriters are often overlooked and SONA has been a welcome advocate.”
— Tony
“Song writing and making music is the only thing that keeps me alive and well. It has sustained me for 13 years in this industry and has afforded me the ability to travel and tour the world creating special moments for people through Music. Thank you for your generous donation and for keeping the arts alive.”
— David
“Thank you to all of the donors who made supporting independent musicians possible via SSAF. My songwriting career is meaningful to me because I can reach people who need to feel seen, heard and understood the most. As a queer, mixed/black woman, I understand what it’s like to grow up seeing and hearing messages that didn’t really serve me. Through my songwriting, I contribute to the necessary support and visibility of BIPOC & LGBTQIA. I cherish all who listen and support my career, including SSAF and feel blessed that I get to continue making music in this world for those who need it most.”
— VIAA
“For me, songwriting is not only my livelihood, it is a true joy and a purpose in life. The acts of creating and singing music have gotten me through the hardest times in my life, and I can count on music to always be that force, that therapy, that soul-satisfaction, no matter what happens. I am filled with gratitude to the SSAF for selecting me for this grant which could not have come at a better time between the challenges we're all navigating, intersecting with difficult life changes in my personal life. You can be sure that to me this grant means the greatest thing: more music. I hope to be able to pay this generous act forward some day. Thank you!”
— Juliet
“In songwriting there’s no paycheck just for showing up, and the future is especially uncertain. When the industry all but shut down, SONA was there to help while we continued to find new ways to create. Thank you for your support during this unprecedented and challenging time!”
— anonymous
“I’m thankful SONA is here supporting the songwriting community and continuing to fuel our inspiration during these tough times.”
— Brandon
“I want to thank the donors from the bottom of my heart. Creating music and songwriting is my life and knowing someone believes it is important is heartwarming!”
— anonymous
“The art of songwriting is and will always be the great light of my life. Every session, every song, every note, every word matters. Im not sure there is a better job on earth.
We get to reach the entire world from one room.
I can guarantee I will make it count.
Thank you from the deepest hole in my heart.”
— Eric
“Thank you. Songwriting is my passion and my love, it keeps me going, especially during times like these!”
— anonymous
“Knowing there is support as a creative has made it easier in these uncertain times. SONA is providing that support to help keep the unknown future brighter and is fighting for our music rights. Forever grateful.”
— Cam
“Due to the current pandemic and global crisis, I was uncertain of how I'd stay afloat! As a songwriter in LA, it has been a challenge! SONA was so timely and I am grateful to be able to continue to create during these difficult times! Thank you SONA for this wonderful gift of assistance!”
— anonymous
“My songwriting career is everything to me. I've been writing songs since I could speak, and have worked my whole life to get where I am today. Whether I'm writing by myself or collaborating with co-writers/artists, I love the rush of bringing a story to life through music. Choosing to be behind the scenes as a songwriter can certainly be a challenge financially, even without a global pandemic, so I'm extremely grateful to SONA and the donors for making these grants possible during this difficult time.”
— anonymous
“I am grateful to SONA for being on the side of songwriters through the many challenges songwriters face, especially today. Songwriting is my deepest experience of creative joy, and helps me connect to something bigger for the greater good.”
— Linda
“Words can't even express how thankful I am. Thank you so much for all of your generosity. Thank you for believing in art and valuing it enough to help support songwriters and musicians.”
— Carly
“It is a blessing to be a voice for others and songwriting has been my way to do just that ! Thank you SONA and SONY/ATV for your support towards songwriters during this time!”
— Darrion
“I would like to thank SONA and SSAF for choosing me as a grant recipient. This grant will help me during this hard time. Songwriting means the world to me and it is what I live for everyday. With this grant, some stress will be taken off of me to help me continue to write my songs and work my craft. Thank you!”
— Liz
“I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all so very much for what you have contributed to us songwriters. Though our business may have come to a screeching halt, creativity always charges forward, especially during times when we're within the anxious grasp of change. I hope to return your kindness with new music, which I've been and will continue working on during this arduous time. With gratitude and appreciation.”
— Marc
“It is truly incredible to know that the arts are supported during this difficult time. In my opinion, music is the universal language that brings people of all backgrounds together without prejudice. If my music can continue to be supported and help unify the planet in any way, then I feel extremely honored. Thank you SONA!”
— anonymous
“Songwriting is where all of my friendships come from. I’m thankful to be working in music. This grant from the SSAF gives me the opportunity to keep pushing.”
— anonymous
“Thank you very much for this grant, this has been a challenging time for so many people. Trying to focus on music during this time has not been easy, I deeply appreciate the support.”
— anonymous
“Songwriting is an essential part of my mental health. It is the way I process everything I experience, both the good and the bad. Especially in my darkest times, which some of the recent months have been, I turn to songwriting as a way to understand the world, speak my truth, and find hope with others. I am eternally grateful for every opportunity I get to create and for the goodwill of SONA for helping me continue my journey another day. Thank you is not enough.”
— Shayna
“Music is the universal language of healing, story telling, love, communicating heartbreak and relating. I’m honored to be a creative and honored to be supported by a company that believes in songwriters and creatives as much as I do. Thank you SONA!”
— Julia
“What you guys have managed to put together, for creatives like myself, is beyond. Songwriting means the world to me, and you mean the world to songwriting.”