‘Fire Fight’ charity album raises $520,000

The all-star ‘Fire Fight’ charity album has blasted past half-a-million-dollars raised for good causes.

The double-set Artists Unite for Fire Fight: Concert for National Bushfire Relief has raised $520,000 since it dropped in March, Sony Music Australia announced Wednesday.

That’s up from $450,000 raised from the album release as at July 11th.

All proceeds from the sale of the LP are donated through Sony Foundation Australia to fund projects benefiting young Australians in bushfire affected communities.

“It is an incredible milestone to have now exceeded half-a-million-dollars for people in communities who continue to rebuild even in these difficult times,” comments Denis Handlin AO, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand.

Handlin also paid tribute to the performers and songwriters who donated their royalties from album sales, industry partners, and to TEG CEO Geoff Jones and promoter Paul Dainty who “without them, there would have been no concert.”

Fire Fight

The LP features 23 recordings from the historic bushfire Fire Fight benefit concert on 16th February at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

On its release, the set debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Chart and logged 14 weeks in the Top 40.

Retailers JB Hi-Fi and Sanity donated their profits from sale of the album, Apple donated its iTunes proceeds from the album.

To increase the profit for donations, the album isn’t available to stream.

Today, Sony Music announces JB Hi-Fi has purchased the remaining limited amount of physical inventory.

“It was such an honour to perform alongside so many amazing artists at the unique event,” comments Amy Shark, whose song ‘I Said Hi’ appears on the album.

“To see the outpouring of love and support from people across the country in connection with the concert and album, truly personifies the Australian spirit. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this outstanding cause.”

Sony Foundation cheque with artists, Denis Handlin AO, Chairman and CEO Sony Music Entertainment ANZ and Sophie Ryan, CEO Sony Foundation Australia

On the day, Sony Music artist and Sony Foundation ambassador Guy Sebastian presented a $200,000 cheque, funds from which were directed to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

Later, the Sanctuary Mallacoota Youth Group and the ‘Sanctuary of Wellbeing and Renewal’, an initiative from Ulladulla High School in NSW, were named as grant recipients.

The nine-and-a-half hour concert was a ratings monster, grabbing upwards of 1.5 million viewers across the Seven Network and Foxtel, and raising over $10 million from ticket sales and donations.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.