Photo by Jacob Blickenstaff

Today, May 9, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Marcus King launched the Curfew Foundation, a new avenue for the artist to express his devotion to bettering mental health and wellness and aiding those facing addiction. The foundation commences its work with Live Nation, pledging $1 from every ticket sold on the artist’s Mood Swings Tour and the Marcus King Family Reunion Festival to the cause. 

The Curfew Foundation intends to center around various routes of need, from financial assistance to fine arts programs–particularly underfunded hubs such as filling instrumental gaps and providing support for music programs in the education system. As a pillar of his focus, King will also extend the foundation’s mission by advocating for mental health, sobriety, and addiction support by providing a hotline for individuals in crisis to emphasize the significance of community encouragement. 

The mission of King’s latest endeavor is in memory of Matt Reynolds, a dear friend of the artist–singer-songwriter, tour manager, and beloved fixture of the community—who took his own life in 2017. Taking the nickname “Curfew,” a title bestowed by Colonel Bruce Hampton, King and Charles Hedgepath took the tragedy of loss and focused on helping others while also honoring their friend. 

“I began the process of forming my non-profit organization Curfew Foundation with my friend, writing partner and fellow Greenville, SC native, Charles Hedgepath in late 2018/early 2019. In the winter of 2020, the world shut down and put all plans on hold until further notice. I am so thrilled to finally have Curfew up and rolling again,” recalled King via press release. 

“De-stigmatizing, providing outreach and community around mental health issues within the arts community: this idea came to me after the death of multiple peers and friends within the music community and a feeling that something needed to change. I’m very excited to be PART of the change and PART of the community and team working to get the message out and to help those in need,” he concluded. 

Also included in today’s announcement, King outlined an added alliance with Stand Together, sharing the mission to bring 1 Million Strong on Kings’ Mood Swings The World Tour. 1 Million Strong is an initiative generated in partnership between The Phoenix, Stand Together Music, and Stand Together Foundation, which narrows in on how folks perceive addiction and recovery. 

For more information on King’s current tour in support of the Rick Rubin-produced Mood Swings LP, read more. 

To learn more about the Curfew Foundation and donate, visit its official website.