As I sit and reflect on the past five years at Backline, I’m overwhelmed by the incredible journey we’ve been on—a journey filled with purpose, passion, and growth. What started as a spreadsheet of mental health professionals willing to help, has grown into a movement far greater than we ever envisioned, touching every corner of the music industry.
Backline was born out of an urgent need—one that the music industry has struggled with for far too long. The mental health crisis impacting musicians, industry professionals, and their families has been real but largely overlooked for years. Mentalities around the “starving artist” and “the show must go on” persisted, and in an industry fueled by gig work and independent contractors, quality health insurance was, and still is, scarce. But in August 2019, following the tragic loss of Neal Casal, it became clear that something needed to change. Those closest to Neal came together to address the overwhelming need for accessible mental health resources, and started working to create a safe space where the music community could seek the care they deserve.
When I joined Backline in October 2021, we had 181 clinicians in our referral network. Since then, we’ve added over 850+ more providers, expanding our network to include licensed therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, life coaches, and other mental health professionals. Today, I’m proud to say we’ve built a robust network of over 1,000 vetted providers across all 50 states. What truly sets our network apart is that 95% of these providers offer sliding scale or negotiated rates for our community, making care more accessible for Backline clients. Additionally, 72% of our clinicians have treated industry professionals, and 51% have personal experience working in the music industry before transitioning to mental health—ensuring we are able to offer referrals to providers who truly understand our community. To support that effort, over the last two years, we’ve hosted our Harmony in Practice clinical conference equipping 70+ mental health providers with the unique tools to clinically treat individuals within the music industry.
But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. What moves me most is the direct impact we’ve made on the lives of individuals in the music industry. Over the past five years, we’ve provided more than 1,600 personalized care plans to people across the industry and their family members. Each plan is thoughtfully customized, whether the individual is seeking a therapist who understands the specific pressures of the industry or wellness resources they can access on the road, anytime, anywhere. Our mission is to help each person feel empowered and in control of their well-being. One client who went through Case Management had this to say about our service
“In the darkest time of my life I didn’t know where to turn. Backline and its services are likely why I’m even here today. I cannot express my gratitude enough.”
As we’ve grown, so has our understanding of what the music community needs. We’ve learned that not everyone requires traditional therapy—many are seeking balance and well-being through holistic practices like yoga, meditation, or nutrition support. That’s why we’ve partnered with like-minded organizations, offering affordable access to wellness resources.
To further highlight the uniqueness of each mental health journey, we started our Real Talk and Fireside Chat conversation series, empowering individuals to find the tools that are right for them by hearing lived experiences from industry members. We also created tangible resources like the Touring Notebook, offering practical tips for life on the road and reintegration afterwards. These resources give industry professionals access to essential mental health information and support, no matter where they are, what time of day, or what time zone they’re in.
What started as a simple idea has now evolved into a thriving, connected community built on quality care and trust. And while we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past five years, we know the work is far from done. Our goal moving forward is to expand our reach, improve the quality and timeliness of our services, and ensure that every individual in the music industry has access to trusted, personalized mental health care.
I’m excited for what lies ahead for Backline, and I know that, together, we can continue to make a lasting impact. With your support, we can expand our clinical outreach and referral network, grow our educational programs, strengthen our clinical partnerships, and help ensure that musicians and industry professionals not only survive but truly thrive.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. The best is yet to come.
