The highly anticipated 2025 American Music Awards is set to forge a significant partnership with the Easy Day Foundation, a dedicated nonprofit organization focused on assisting veterans as they navigate the challenging transition back to civilian life. This collaboration was officially announced by both the foundation and Dick Clark Productions on Monday morning, May 5, and promises to bring attention to crucial issues faced by our nation’s heroes.
Viewers tuning in on May 26 can expect to witness “a series of special in-show moments that honor veterans while raising funds for numerous national and local organizations,” as outlined in the announcement. The fan-voted awards ceremony, which sees Kendrick Lamar leading the nominations this year, will air on CBS and be available for streaming on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the talented Jennifer Lopez taking the helm as host for the evening.
The collaboration between Easy Day Foundation and the American Music Awards is well-timed, coinciding with Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month in May. The event will feature two performances to pay tribute to those who have served, alongside a presentation of a special award that recognizes a marquee talent committed to making significant contributions to the veteran community. Attendees can anticipate hearing inspiring stories from active-duty service members and veterans, with designated seating reserved for veterans at this year’s awards show.
“PMC and Dick Clark Productions are profoundly honored to highlight our nation’s heroes through this impactful partnership with Easy Day Foundation and the leading organizations dedicated to supporting our heroes,” states Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Penske Media Corporation and a veteran of the Marine Corps Vietnam combat. “Transitioning from military service to civilian life presents numerous challenges, and these meaningful moments during the AMAs will shine a much-needed light on the genuine difficulties veterans encounter and the essential support systems required to assist them in navigating life post-service.”
Funds generated from the in-show fundraising initiatives will support various veteran service organizations, including the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Boot Campaign, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Fisher House, Folded Flag Foundation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Team Rubicon, and UNLV’s Military and Veteran Services Center. Additionally, a portion of ticket sales will be allocated to the Easy Day Foundation and its partner organizations, enhancing their capacity to serve veterans effectively.
The Easy Day Foundation, established by Frank Fertitta IV and Landon Gyulay and headquartered in Las Vegas — the host city for this year’s AMAs — is dedicated to assisting veterans with essential needs. These include mental health care, job training, and placement services as well as family support in their journey back to civilian life, ensuring that they receive the assistance they need to thrive.
“Our vision for this year’s American Music Awards is to not only honor the sacrifices of our fallen heroes but also to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by millions of veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life,” Fertitta expresses. “We are proud to be affiliated with a prestigious award show like the American Music Awards, which possesses the power to raise awareness, inspire compassion, and drive meaningful change in our society.”
Gyulay emphasizes, “Collaborating with the AMAs provides us with a potent platform to elevate the narratives of our veterans and amplify the mission of Easy Day. These courageous individuals have sacrificed so much for our freedom, and our partnership with the AMAs allows us to transform national attention into tangible action on their behalf.”
The American Music Awards actively encourages music enthusiasts to participate by voting in its awards categories. The nominees (available in the full list here) are determined by key fan interactions reflected on the Billboard charts, which include streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay, and tour grosses. These metrics are monitored by Billboard and Luminate, covering the data tracking eligibility period from March 22, 2024, to March 20, 2025. Fan voting for the 2025 AMAs is currently open at VoteAMAs.com and through the @AMAs Instagram profile.
The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which operates under the ownership of Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Penske Media, the parent company of Billboard.
