First Published By: Variety

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) will receive 2021 Clio Music Impact Awards as part of Clio Music’s virtual awards celebration, taking place June 10 at Clios.com. The awards are being presented for the sixth year by Citi. 

“Each cycle, we select individuals and organizations in the music community whose significant social impact inspires us to shine a spotlight on their work and dedicate a special award in their honor,” said Clio CEO Nicole Purcell. “This year, we are privileged to be recognizing two powerful forces for good in the industry who have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless music lovers. I’m grateful for the work they’ve done and for the opportunity to celebrate these accomplishments together.”

The Clio Music Impact Award (presented by Citi) is granted to a female artist who embodies the #SeeHerHearHer mission of promoting gender equality and representation in the music industry. As a six-time Grammy winner, best-selling author, original member of The Highwomen, creator of the Girls Just Wanna Weekend music festival and founder of the Looking Out Foundation, Carlile was selected to be honored for her efforts to bridge the gender and age gap in country music and amplify the voices of underrepresented people around the globe, according to the announcement.

Clio Music also will honor NIVA with a Clio Music Impact Award for quickly coming together as an organization to secure relief and lobby the federal government to pass the Save Our Stages Act, which earmarks $16 billion for independent venues across the country to recover from losses due to COVID-19 shutdowns (although the money has been tied up in Small Business Administration technical difficulties for months and has not yet been distributed). Since forming in April 2020, NIVA members have fought for their own – and their competitors’ – survival, showcasing the spirit of venues, promoters, and festival members determined to ensure that the music goes on for this generation of music fans and many more to come. (Photos are of independent venues the Anthem in Washington, DC, the Cine El Rey in McAllen, Texas and the Metro in Chicago.)

During the Clio Music Awards on June 10th at 2pm ET, Citi CMO Carla Hassan will present Carlile with her award and lead a fireside chat with the artist; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will present NIVA members with their award, followed by a Q&A moderated by Muse by Clio editor Tim Nudd. The Grand Clio Music and Clio Music Of The Year winners will also be revealed during the event. Tune in at: https://clios.com/music/2021-clio-music-awards.