The bad news arrives in my email cue every day. Today’s email was from Columbia Artists Management, one of the industries longest-standing agencies representing musical artists.
“It is with a heavy heart that, having endured a prolonged pandemic environment, we must announce that effective Aug. 31, 2020, Columbia Artists Management, Inc. will close its doors. Throughout our 90-year history in supporting the arts and artists…”
It goes on but the message is clear. This prolonged pandemic has put the live music industry is in free-fall. We are losing theaters, agents, crew, artists and jobs in related fields every day. The Palladium has been dark since March 12.
And so far, it doesn’t seem to matter to our national leadership that the arts are in free-fall.
That’s why we are supporting the Save Our Stages Act and Restart act. Both designed to support the live events industry. The Palladium and many other venues around the country will be lit in red on the evening of September 1 as a way to grow awareness for this campaign.
Here’s why:
- Live events employ over 12 million people.
- Live events contributes over $1 trillion annually to the US economy.
- 95% of live events have been cancelled due to COVID-19.
- 96% of companies have cut staff and/or wages.
- 77% of people in the live events industry have lost 100% of their income, including 97% of 1099 workers.
If you would like to show your support for the live music industry please I would encourage ALL of you to go here https://wemakeevents.org/ and here: https://www.saveourstages.com/ and take action personally.
It is most vital to let our state and national elected representatives know you want them to help this live music industry during this unprecedented crisis.
Thanks so much for your support. We hope to see all of you back in our theater soon.
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