Why Music Support matters
Multi-award-winning tour manager Andy Franks reflects on why and how he came to launch Music Support , after a successful career working with acts including Depeche Mode , Coldplay and Robbie Williams , and why the mental health charity ’ s support services are in more demand than ever .
Iremember when I was working with Robbie Williams in the late 90s . He said to me , “ I ’ m off to see my therapist ”. I said I was surprised that he saw one . He replied , “ We are going inside my head , a place I would never go unaccompanied ...!”
Rob is a great and funny guy , but it made me think , “ why can ’ t he sort stuff out for himself ?”
Fast forward 10 years , and I was an alcoholic , sacked , out of work , feeling very alone . Luckily , I had found a great therapist , and with the help of him and going to AA meetings , I got sober . I have not had a drink for 8.5 years .
I wanted to find a way to help others not go through the same pain and suffering I had experienced , and from that , with the help of other recovering addicts in the business , Music
Andy Franks
Support was born . Now , nearly six years on , the issues are even more acute . With the despair brought to our industry by Covid , there is even more need for a place to go to get help .
I am fully aware that addiction and mental health pervades every walk of life , but our industry is a business of fixing things and delivering on time , under unbearable pressure . We have wonderful teams of
people who can work together to create amazing projects , and deliver incredible results , under unbearable conditions . The problem is , when we are in despair , why can ’ t we ask for help ? Why is that ? Why can we fix it for others and not ourselves ? Of course , it ’ s not that simple .
We build festivals on a piece of grass , create albums from ideas , and deliver results that others only dream of . But asking for help when we need it is very difficult , almost impossible .
Music Support has a team of trained responders that listen in a non-judgemental way . They can advise and signpost callers to organisations or individuals that can offer help , advice , and help them make the tiny steps towards recovery .
But , like any charity , we need help and support with funds to continue our work . Music Support is there for everyone who works in or around the UK music industry . So please get involved , and spread the word .
“ Our industry is a business of fixing things and delivering on time , under unbearable pressure .”
Just remember , if you are struggling or in pain , call us . We are here to help , however desperate things may seem . You are not alone .
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