How To Help Musicians During This Time
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 07:26AM The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the American economy into recession. There is no question. With so many businesses closed and people out of work, there is no way around it. I saw a stat online yesterday that something like 18% of American workers have lost hours or jobs because of this disease. Because of this, you need to do everything you can to protect your own capital reserves. I try to live my life like I am always in a recession: no debt except for a mortgage, an emergency fund and the ability to cut unnecessary bills (like streaming services for example) if required. Not everyone can live this way and I am privileged more than most. So this post is for people like me who have some financial runway. For everyone else, you are now in what Dave Ramsey calls "storm mode." Batten down the hatches and save as much as possible.
Musicians are struggling like restaurant and travel industry workers. Concerts are a want not a need and now crowds are essentially banned in America (and most of the world). This may be a time of creative force. Musicians may use their downtime to write songs and that is a silver lining. Non-wealthy acts will struggle to stay afloat because touring is not an option. Help these acts by buying their albums, either physical or digital and pick up T-shirts. Some musicians are doing guitar lessons on Cameo. I know Tracii Guns is doing that right now. Acts like Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Springsteen and those folks do not need help. The Tweet below has more information on how you can help musicians during this special time.
The Recording Academy and MusiCares call on the entire music community including labels and streaming services to join them - as Bandcamp launch drive to help artists https://t.co/xiZFAFTmmi
— Classic Rock (@ClassicRockMag) March 18, 2020
Reader Comments (5)
A business in my area that I really admire just laid off nearly 3K people. Some small businesses and larger ones are paying people while they can. Others can't do that, leading to some crushing stories from both owners and employees. Some restaurants in my area shifted fairly easily to delivery and take-out. For others, the logistics don't make sense. I am lucky. I have some minor health issues which probably put me into the 'don't hug strangers and lick doors' category. But I am getting a paycheck. Like I said, lucky.
We aren't talking about airlines here. I am not stepping on a third rail, even if they, too, are experiencing some major spasms they couldn't have predicted (even if they could have prepared for them). And I have to say, the airlines I deal with, and the ones I was in contact with as I canceled my Spring Break plans (what Spring Break plans? I live in a tent by the river!) were accommodating under the circumstances. Ditto the hotels with which I had to deal. Sure, I wish those DLR dates weren't 'postponed' in Vegas (they keep your money when they are) and were 'canceled'. But I can deal with that. Like I said, I am lucky; so I won't complain.
If you can help, do. I don't say this to be smug, but if there are checks in the mail to help out, mine is going to my local food bank (and even though I made a subtle joke about hobo living above, there are people who are homeless and/or were suffering from food scarcity and problems with paying the rent before all this started).
If you can't help, look after yourself and those close to you. There is no shame in that either.
Above all else, try to be kind to each other. I have experienced some truly wonderful moments in these past few weeks. People simply trying to acknowledge another person's humanity. Others going out of their way--customer service workers who are truly at risk wanting to make sure a customer finds what they need, for example--to be helpful and kind, even if that isn't the expected response.
I said it posts ago, but I think it still stands: it would be lovely if we could all uphold reasoned caution about what has happened and what is going to happen. A close friend I was going to see in Japan also hoped that this might be a learning experience for the world more generally. I am not that optimistic. But I wouldn't mind that either.
Bottom line: I hope you are all well. All of you, your friends, and family. And I hope you wish the best for those you don't know. As all of this proves (as if we needed proof), our flecks on this marble impact each other. We are wise to keep that in mind regardless of what comes.
Anyway stay safe and thanks for the great post.
I am thanking my lucky stars I moved from a fairly major city, Orlando, to a remote town in the heart of Minnesota farmland.
But even here, there is a State of Emergency and nearly everyone is practicing social distancing, save for all the Hospital, Emergency Care, Nursing Home, Pharmacy, Supermarket and Convenience Store Heroes.
And, yes, all musicians need our support, so if you can, buy their music! As others have hinted at, I believe there are whole new ways and platforms brewing for the music community to get the music out ... I, for one, am thinking of ideas and look forward to seeing how it all takes shape.
The creation of music is collaborative by nature so I know in my heart it will happen as musicians and the music community band together to not just help each other but help the world.
Music is such a great part of all of our lives. It may not have the power to heal this pandemic but there are ways it can help.
I pray and fear for my family, friends and all humankind, yet I’m taking action to effect change to help not just them but the world. If we all pitch in, live music will echo through the valleys, fields, shorelines and deserts that make the world what it is once again!
Metal Gods Bless Us All!!!
p.s. Hahaha!!!, Shawn, HIM & Gary! You guys NEVER fail to make me laugh!