This June, after the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas, iHeartMedia Texas quickly brought country artists together for a benefit concert. They raised $138,000 for the families of the victims in one day.

“Once we heard about what had happened in Uvalde, we knew we needed to act fast and do our best to help out the families that were affected by the horrible tragedy,” Alek Halverson, program director at iHeartMedia’s KJ 97 radio station in San Antonio, Texas, told KSAT news.

Concerts like these are one way local radio stations generate billions of dollars in public service each year, bringing communities together and providing value for charities, music fans and artists alike. This special connection between radio listeners and artists they hear on the air and during special events is what makes radio the top source for music discovery.

In March, Audacy’s “Leading Ladies” concert brought together women in Country Music to support the work of DoSomething.org in a natural partnership. “We join Audacy in celebrating the achievements of women in music while encouraging young women and girls to use their voices to achieve gender equality and break the bias,” said DeNora Getachew, chief executive officer, DoSomething.org.

These concerts become beloved hometown traditions. “This was a fantastic first-time event that will become a mainstay for us,” said Dean Canter, general manager of Cumulus Media’s New Country 96.3 and 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas, Texas, after the stations raised more than $165,000 for Cook Children’s through the first-ever Texas Independence Jam this March.

Radio stations are the pulse of our communities, but big foreign-owned record labels are pushing for legislation in Congress that could harm local radio’s ability to connect you to the artists you love. Take action now to protect local radio stations!