NEW ALLIANCE WITH SOUND HEALTHCARE OFFERS HEALTH INSURANCE TO MUSIC INDUSTRY MEMBERS

The situation of the music industry's many self-employed professionals is unique, and their need to access affordable benefits is great. To address this critical issue for its music industry members, The Blues Foundation - the non-profit organization dedicated to the past, present and future of blues music - has joined a number of music associations to partner with Sound Healthcare, providing access to a variety of healthcare benefits and insurance programs to those in need within the blues music community.

The Blues Foundation's new Sound Healthcare benefit will allow its professional members to take advantage of group buying power, providing affordable coverage to U.S. residents wherever they are around the world - performing on tour, working freelance, or seeking new work. Several levels of benefits can be tailored to meet a member's specific needs for Health, Life, Dental and Critical Illness insurance, all designed with an eye for value but provided by such top-tier insurance companies as United Health One, Aetna, Fidelity Life, and many others. Holistic care options will also be provided.

"As a member of the Blues Foundation Board of Directors, I consider this initiative to be the most important thing we have done in my two years on the board. To be able to help folks who work in the blues music business to find affordable health insurance, hopefully means we will have them around much longer to provide us with the music we all so love," said recently-elected Foundation Vice President Bill Wax, also Program Director on Sirius XM Satellite Radio's B.B. King's Bluesville channel.

With the healthcare crisis at its peak, the government proposing a major healthcare reform plan, and the U.S. unemployment rate hitting a 26-year high, concern about receiving proper medical treatment and affordable prescription medications is at a critical point not only for all U.S. citizens, but for music professionals in particular. Like many self-employed and unemployed professionals, those in the music industry need to protect against loss from injury or illness.

"As a music professional, I've worked in numerous capacities; musician, producer, artist manager, and music publisher. But working in health insurance advocacy for our creative community, with so many examples of significant premium savings, improved coverage and underwriting successes, has been the most gratifying professional experience of my life!" RJ Stillwell CEO and Founding Partner Sound Healthcare.

The Blues Foundation Sound Healthcare can alleviate the hardship that many music professionals experience. Thanks to this new program, artists, audio engineers, broadcasters, managers, producers, promoters, publishers, songwriters and others can benefit from affordable heath insurance, a medical supplement plan, and hospitalization coverage while they're on the road. For instance, touring musicians with physically demanding performance schedules in a variety of climates and international conditions can access physicians 24 hours a day via a toll free U.S. number, and often can receive a diagnosis and appropriate prescriptions during their telephone consult.

Testimonials

"My new Sound Healthcare plan has many benefits my old plan did not provide for less than HALF the cost of my previous coverage. Sound Healthcare is what the music business has needed!" Steve Bogard Multi #1 Songwriter and President of NSAI

"Sound Healthcare saved me 32% on my premiums! But more importantly, Sound Healthcare is a music industry advocacy organization that fights for our creative community As a professional songwriter and a self-employed individual, this has been what our industry has been wishing for and hoping for so long. Sound Healthcare is the answer!" Deanna Bryant Multi #1 Songwriter

About Sound Healthcare

Now several years into a national recession, which has severely impacted all aspects of the music industry in every genre, the need for healthcare options for music professionals has grown to an all-time high. The Sound Healthcare program has now been adopted by several national music associations such as The Blues Foundation, the Country Music Association, the Gospel Music Association, the Songwriters Guild of America, the Americana Music Association, and more. The Blues Foundation's extension of Sound Healthcare's benefits to its members helps ensure the future of blues music and the professionals that make, promote, and preserve it.

Sound Healthcare was co-founded by its current CEO RJ Stillwell, who was active as a musician and in artist management, production and music publishing prior to entering the insurance industry in the late 90s. He remains a principal stock holder in a music publishing company and passionately involved in the well-being of the music community.

For more information on Sound Healthcare or for a consultation, music professionals can visit www.soundhealthcare.org or call 615-256-8667.

About The Blues Foundation
Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, The Blues Foundation is the hub of the Blues world. With 180 affiliated Blues societies and a membership that spans the globe, the Foundation's signature events - the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Awards - place it at the center of the Blues universe. The Blues Foundation is a non-profit organization, with a mission to preserve Blues history, celebrate Blues excellence, support Blues education and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form. Throughout the year, the Foundation staff serves the worldwide Blues community with answers, contact information and news.
www.blues.org

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Amanda Sweet
Bucklesweet Media
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