Backline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting music industry professionals with mental health and wellness services, an aspect of self care that is so often overlooked in the performing arts. On April 16, 2025, the foundation was awarded Tour Services Company of the Year at the 36th Annual Pollstar Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, marking the first time a nonprofit has won this award.
The Pollstar Awards highlights innovative and impactful figures in live entertainment, and the Tour Services Company of the Year annually celebrates an organization that has provided particularly extraordinary support to touring professionals – artists and crew – both on and off the road.
The Pollstar Awards celebrate the most innovative, hardworking, and impactful figures in the live entertainment business. The Tour Services Company of the Year category honors an organization that has provided exceptional support to touring artists and crews, both on and off the road. This is the first time a nonprofit organization has won the award.
Backline Executive Director Hilary Gleason is quoted, “Backline is honored to receive this recognition from Pollstar as it reflects the growing awareness around the importance of mental health in the music industry. At Backline, our mission has always been to support the mental health and well-being of the music industry and this award affirms that this work matters. We share this with every artist, crew member, and industry professional that believes in creating a healthier, more sustainable music community.”
On April 15, Gleason also participated in a panel discussion at Pollstar Live!, the awards’ live summit focusing on production. The panel discussed how to better foster overall wellbeing in an industry that is notoriously hard on the body and mind – and is only getting harder.
Some of Backline’s services include access to wellness practices such as yoga, meditation, and nutritional products; educational resources about how to best support mental and physical wellbeing; take.care wellness care packages for touring professionals; the touring notebook, a resource guide and workbook designed for touring professionals and their support systems; transparency by sharing stories from other touring individuals to foster community; referral networks for mental health and wellness services; one-on-one case management to connect individuals with the resources they need; and the Music Mental Health Fund, a collaboration with Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund that provides financial support to touring professionals to cover expenses of wellness services. Recently, Backline has been in the news for their We Got You! campaign, which has been supported by Chappell Roan, Noah Kahan and Charli XCX. The campaign helps to fund resources for artists’ mental health with the goal of creating an overall safer and more sustainable industry.
As of 2025, Backline has:
- Provided 2,035+ individuals a custom mental health care plan
- Supported 5,243+ people via weekly community meetings
- Offered 3,105+ discounts to wellness apps and products
- Welcomed 1,257+ mental health providers to our network
- Provided $129,000+ worth of grants via Music’s Mental Health Fund
Keep up with Backline and see how you can make a difference:
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