Backline, a US non-profit supporting musicians’ and music-industry workers’ mental health, has gained momentum after Chappell Roan donated $25,000 following her 2025 Grammy speech calling for artists to receive healthcare support. Founder Hilary Gleason says the campaign helped position mental health as a foundation for accessing wider healthcare and employment rights, while encouraging companies and prominent artists to contribute.

Gleason co-founded Backline in 2019 after suicides within the bluegrass and jam-music community highlighted the pressures facing touring musicians. Early support came from promoter Peter Shapiro, who gave $10,000, and artist Billy Strings, whose experience of playing more than 100 shows a year informed his backing for the organisation. AEG matched Roan’s donation, while Noah Kahan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX also participated in the “WE GOT YOU!” fundraising effort.