When I moved to the Gig Harbor area in 2016, I discovered a vibrant music scene and community. Over the years, I have enjoyed getting to know many local bands and their members. These musicians often work a day job in addition to their night and weekend gigs, making them some of the hardest-working people I know. Music is definitely a labor of love, and, unfortunately, it is not especially well-paid. Many working musicians are uninsured (or underinsured) for their medical and dental needs.
In November of 2023, I learned about SMASH when I attended a KNKX Connects event at the Blue Mouse Theatre in Tacoma featuring Stephanie Anne Johnson and Jeff Fielder. During the performance, both performers spoke about SMASH and their services for musicians, including themselves. After the concert, I looked into SMASH and found it perfectly aligned with my interests, combining philanthropy and my love of music. I am now an avid supporter and recurring donor.
I've been surprised to find how few people in the South Sound have heard of SMASH and what it offers. As a champion of their work, I am working on spreading the word throughout the South Sound, including Pierce, Thurston, and Kitsap counties. This article was originally published in the South Sound Blue Association newsletter, an organization I am also a member of.
For this article, I spoke with one of the musicians who introduced me to SMASH, Stephanie Anne Johnson, about how they heard about SMASH and what motivated them to become a member. Like most working musicians, Johnson wears multiple hats to make ends meet. In addition to performing, they also host "The Grooveyard" on Sundays at 1:00 pm on KNKX, showcasing a mix of Soul-Jazz and Blues, spend their Sundays singing at affirming churches in the area, and earn income from sales of music and memberships through their Patreon.
Johnson shared their SMASH origin story with me, including their first exposure to the organization. Johnson got involved initially after being invited to perform at the annual SMASH benefit concert at the Moore Theatre in 2021, which had an impressive lineup of local and international touring musicians, including Dave Matthews and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), among many others. After playing the SMASH Benefit, they attended an informational meeting about SMASH membership; they were impressed at the number of famous Seattle musicians in the crowd affiliated with SMASH, which “tipped the scales” for them and prompted them to become a member.
Some of Johnson's first SMASH services were through the hearing program, which involved an audiology exam and customized medical-grade hearing protection, and dental program, which helps musicians access preventative and acute dental services. These services and medical devices can cost hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars and are not generally covered by standard health insurance. From start to finish, Johnson said they felt treated “like a person" and "feel good working with SMASH...”
I also asked Nikki Barron, Communications & Outreach manager, and Karina Kaiwi, Member & Provider Services Manager of SMASH, a few questions I had about the organization and its plans for growth into the south Sound. Our interview is below and has been edited for clarity.
SUSIE: Who started SMASH and why?
SMASH: Ian Moore, a long-time touring and recording artist originally from Austin, TX, considered himself lucky that his music career had allowed him to provide for his family. Like many musicians, money was often tight, causing his access to healthcare to take a backseat to expenses like rent and food. However, while living in Austin, Moore had access to a safety net called the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). This resource allowed him to focus on his life and career without sacrificing his health.
When he moved to Vashon Island, he no longer qualified for HAAM and discovered nothing like it in the region. In 2016, Moore teamed up with Jacqueline Ryall, a long-time friend, music supporter, attorney, and Gates Foundation employee, to figure out how to bring something similar to the Pacific Northwest. They became the founding members of SMASH and recruited a dedicated group of music and nonprofit industry professionals, community leaders, and friends to make it a reality.
SUSIE: SMASH was initially intended to serve Seattle musicians, hence Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare. Now that you serve musicians in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Mason, Kitsap, and Thurston counties, why don’t you call it MASH?
SMASH: The name change to “MASH” seems obvious, but when we decided to increase our service area, we opted to keep “SMASH” because it’s more than just geography—it’s about the spirit of Seattle’s music scene. Ask any local musician; our music scene is more than simply a scene; it's a community. So, the “S” serves as a reminder of that.
SUSIE: Free health care?! What’s the catch?
SMASH: Actually, there is one catch—musicians have to keep making great music! It’s free to be a member of SMASH, and musicians can still qualify even if they have insurance. Our goal is to lower barriers to access to healthcare services as much as possible. A big part of that is alleviating musicians' stress when paying for services. Some services have a small co-pay; for example, custom earplugs have a $25 fee for members, which was implemented to help motivate members to pick them up after their appointments.
Shout out to our financial supporters and awesome providers who donate their time. We couldn’t provide these services without them.
SUSIE: The South Sound has a vibrant music community including many talented musicians and bands, and a loyal fanbase. How is SMASH working to expand into this area?
SMASH: We recognize the incredible talent and tight-knit music community in the South Sound and are committed to expanding our reach there. We’re doing this by partnering with more providers in the South Sound; shout out to Dr. Kunal, who is providing dental services to our members in Puyallup!
We’ve got big plans to continue outreach to providers in the area to increase access to more services in the South Sound. Also, many of our services are not geographically constricted. For example, our mental health program has a telehealth option, and we can pay their preferred mental health provider directly. If we don’t have a provider in an easy-to-access location for members, we can support musicians with transportation costs to get to Seattle. However, it's uncommon that we can’t find something that works for members close to home.
For musicians needing help with healthcare costs, I encourage you to become a member of SMASH. The member application is free, easy, and confidential.
SMASH membership includes access to the following:
annual primary care visit and associated labs
mental healthcare
preventative and acute dental care
hearing screenings and ear protection
eye exams with glasses
physical therapy
substance use disorder treatment
healthcare/health insurance navigation
For more information about eligibility visit https://www.smashseattle.org/join, or you can contact Karina directly at memberservices@SMASHSeattle.org
If you are looking for a nonprofit organization to support, please consider becoming a donor or provider. Let’s help our musicians stay healthy so they can do what they love, and we can love what they do.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Susie Campbell is a member of the South Sound Blue Association and a blues music enthusiast. She frequently attends events in the area, ready to hit the dance floor, and offers a big smile.
Together, We Can Build a Healthier Future for Music
Seattle’s musicians give so much to our community—now it’s our turn to give back. Your donation to SMASH provides local artists access to affordable healthcare, mental health resources, and vital support services, helping them thrive both on and off the stage. Together, we can ensure the music never stops.
When you make a tax-deductible gift to SMASH, you directly impact our capacity to serve current members, expand programs and services, and support even more musicians in our area.
CHOOSE YOUR DONATION TYPE: