Humble Beginnings

The ArtistLink Foundation is the unlikely result of a series of serendipitous events, bringing together passionate individuals dedicated to preserving the integrity and legacy of music.

The

Origin Story

For years Don Thatcher had already been making waves by conducting artist interviews. In time he would be joined by co-hosts, Keith “The Grizz” Eckhart and Stormy Deal, daughter of iconic Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars.

Meanwhile...

GEN-X FINDS TIKTOK

Fast forward to 2020, Dean Baldwin began creating nostalgic TikTok videos celebrating music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. His content quickly amassed an engaged community, leading to opportunities as a host on SiriusXM and StrykTV, a Country Music Video channel.

The Experiment

Voice In A Crowd

while creating a post on 80s band Scandal, Dean came upon Patty Smyth’s 2020 album "It's About Time." Amazed at the quality and relevance of the music, he realized it had flown under the mainstream radar raising a question: How many other bands from the 80s had released new music recently without mainstream support?

When Dean joined Don and his team on their weekly live show,

the pieces began to form a compelling narrative. Despite the advantages offered by social media and technology, it had paradoxically become more challenging for artists to stand out amidst the flood of daily releases. Additionally, consumer behaviors had shifted, impacting how music was valued and consumed.

FM2.0: A New Beginning

IN MAY 2024, AS AN EXPERIMENT,

Don and Dean launched an Internet radio channel, FM2.0, playing predominantly new music from classic bands. To their surprise, there was a growing audience interested in their unique playlist. This experiment blossomed, attracting nearly 10 volunteers as hosts, news commentators, and producers of specialty programs.

A larger vision lays a new foundation,

By July 2024, the momentum culminated in the formation of the ArtistLink Foundation Inc. as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is clear:

"While technology has its benefits, the ArtistLink Foundation's mission is to combat the commoditization of music brought on by the negative impacts of digital technology, platforms, and AI. We are dedicated to educating the public on consumer trends that contribute to the devaluation of art, while supporting the music, stories, and legacies of classic and emerging artists. Our goal is to foster strong artist-audience relationships by promoting and performing music that upholds artistic integrity and cultural significance."

The Reality

In an era of digital playlists,

artists may receive hundreds of thousands of streams, yet the financial return and brand loyalty from audiences are weaker than ever. It's not enough for a song to be played; the track and the artist need to be talked about. Their story needs to be heard to create a deeper connection with the audience.

Learn More

Everything we do is to ensure music remains an art, not a commodity.

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