03/24/2020
This week, thousands of independent venues across the country were forced to close their doors to help contain the spread of COVID-19. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people in the live music industry lost their jobs overnight, from venue workers and production crews, to touring musicians and booking agents. How will these people pay their rent, buy food, provide child care, and cover other basic living expenses? And what will happen to the independent venues that employed them? Will people have jobs to return to once this crisis is over?
You can help. We have asked our leaders to pass legislation to help our industry survive. They are working hard to pass an economic stimulus package, but it won't help if it doesn't benefit small businesses like ours. Please call your representatives and senators, and remind them that we outnumber the corporate giants, and insist that they help independent venues and workers, as well. This is the only way to protect the people and places you love.
Call your representatives and senators. You can reach them via the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-2131. Demand that independent business are included in the Federal stimulus plan. We simply cannot survive without your help.
