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Coronavirus and Musicians
It's starting to look like this Coronavirus is a serious threat, much more than originally thought. This doctor's account is frightening: https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...e-war-11954229 He's in the war zone (so to speak) over in Italy.
How is this affecting your gigs? Have you seen cancellations due to concerns with crowds in close quarters?
(Please avoid politics when replying. Thanks!)
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
The drum company I bought my drum from is located right next to Italy.. they said the borders are completely shut down and Italy is closed up tight
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
SpazApproved
The drum company I bought my drum from is located right next to Italy.. they said the borders are completely shut down and Italy is closed up tight
You should probably run that snare drum through the dishwasher on the sanitize cycle, once you get it home.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
All my gigs lately are at church so I haven't been affected yet.
But, I also work for a grocery, drug, gm retailer based in Texas. The stock piling is insane. I personally still don't buy into the hype and think the media is scaring the crap out of people.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
SpazApproved
The drum company I bought my drum from is located right next to Italy.. they said the borders are completely shut down and Italy is closed up tight
Damn!
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
Texdrumr
All my gigs lately are at church so I haven't been affected yet.
But, I also work for a grocery, drug, gm retailer based in Texas. The stock piling is insane. I personally still don't buy into the hype and think the media is scaring the crap out of people.
INSANE? How about NO TOILET PAPER at the Costco? Of all the things I thought I'd never see, this tops it. I understand taking precautions, but this has been CRAZY! I can see getting a couple of weeks worth of stuff, but these people seem to be stocking up for doomsday.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
I still don't understand the toilet paper thing. Also in the coming days everything will be canceled and everything will be closed. Be prepared. This is no joke.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
Sometimes we humans like to think we are the top of the food chain but there are times when we seem to do our best to prove otherwise.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
The TP hoarding is just plain stupid. I drove all over town looking for some yesterday, but all stores were out. Now Kleenex and laundry detergent is in shortage. Luckily, the company I work for sells commercial toilet paper by the case. 100 rolls per case, and I brought in 2 cases from our warehouse so my employees and myself are covered.
As far as gigs, I’ve seen multiple bands and local venues cancel gigs in the last week. Even gigs booked out until June. This is a PRIME opportunity to get bookings in new places and venues that you normally couldn’t get into.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
This past Saturday's gig was cancelled. This Tuesday's St. Patrick's Day gig is still on as of this morning, but, I'm waiting for that to get deep six'd as well. [removed. please avoid political commentary per forum rules - Tom] SMDH.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
inthpktplayer
This past Saturday's gig was cancelled. This Tuesday's St. Patrick's Day gig is still on as of this morning, but, I'm waiting for that to get deep six'd as well. [removed. please avoid political commentary per forum rules - Tom] SMDH.
We need to lower our expectations. Realize we've been heading down this road for years and we've buried our heads in the sand for many reasons. Not the time and place but I know you know what I mean, Marc.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
Hang in there folks, this is going to get worse before it gets better. The COVID19 virus is nothing compared to the virus of human panic & social media.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
I don't know how full time musicians are going to survive this. All my friend's gigs are being cancelled. How are they going to eat? Pay bills?
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
I don’t think there’s an answer. It’s not just the bars, clubs and restaurants closing their doors...any social event that may hire music (weddings, private parties, etc) is being called off. Hopefully, our fellow musicians that rely on paid gigs for a livelihood can find another avenue to hold them over. Pretty much anyone in the entertainment industry is hosed. Sound men, roadies...even exotic dancers and the guys that rent & install outdoor tents. Then you have the related industries like people who work jobs that rely on the music/entertainment industry; mom & pop music stores, instrument manufacturers, etc..
Imagine being a small boutique instrument builder. They’re getting it from both ends; they can’t get parts from China, and now they’re losing their market.
Providing this current pandemic resolves itself by...lets say June; how many bars, clubs and venues that hire live bands will survive? Will there be anyplace left for us to play? If so, will enough people show up, or will social functions be permanently affected?
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
There will be long term collateral damage for sure. As one that books for our band, I know many of the venue owners very well and I know for a fact that many cannot survive even a 60 day shut down. Offering "carry out" only is not sustainable. Damned shame.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
Yeah, when we get to the other side of this, bars and restaurants will be hurting. The first thing to be cut will be bands. They'll hire DJ's instead. Maybe it's time for musicians to start investing in DJ equipment.
Speaking of which, what is your fall back plan? Side hustles? Plan B's? Anyone thought this through yet? Preparedness is essential right now, not just for food and toilet paper but financial planning/strategizing for the months ahead.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
Main concern is health and an ending to this virus.
After, big party and music.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
I have just found out that the theatre where I volunteer (see my sig) has cancelled all of its shows until mid-May.
The group I practice with has decided to skip practices until there is an "all clear". All of us except the bass player untilare over 60, so this is probably a good idea.
My church's services will be streamed until further notice.
Good health to you all.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
Bish
We need to lower our expectations. Realize we've been heading down this road for years and we've buried our heads in the sand for many reasons. Not the time and place but I know you know what I mean, Marc.
I know what you mean, started 11 years ago for sure.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
2 week lockdown starting tomorrow in my state of Illinois.
Wishing all on DC to stay safe.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
Olimpass
2 week lockdown starting tomorrow in my state of Illinois.
Wishing all on DC to stay safe.
Yep, my wife's salon and day spa is forced to close at 5 PM today. It is located in Illinois even though we live in Iowa.
My CU is still open but we've closed the lobby to walk ins. Mostly by appointment for the foreseeable future.
Glad I'm still working.
I've shut down band rehearsal since it is at my home. The bass player lives in Illinois, even!
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
All gigs & tours cancelled for the foreseeable future. Have lost my entire income :(
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
Kevaruka
All gigs & tours cancelled for the foreseeable future. Have lost my entire income :(
The world sharing its pain. Sorry for your current predicament, Kev. Sort of makes the drums not seem so important, sadly enough.
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
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Originally Posted by
Bish
The world sharing its pain. Sorry for your current predicament, Kev. Sort of makes the drums not seem so important, sadly enough.
Indeed mate. The "Good old days" may well & truly now be over. I suspect touring will be very different over the next few years for underground bands........
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Re: Coronavirus and Musicians
I’m lucky enough to work for a company that’s been deemed “essential” by Homeland Security. In the event that my state/county/city declares a shelter in place, I have a letter that I can carry. That said, we are still doing as much as we can voluntarily to eliminate exposure. We are on lock-down, with only myself and 2 of my employees allowed in the building. Everyone else is working from home. We have a very strict cleaning protocol that we MUST adhere to in order to stay open.
That said, business in industrial manufacturing has ground to a halt in the last 4-5 days. I have no doubt that if this continues another 4-6 weeks, I’ll be forced to lay off some employees and probably take a salary cut.
On the band side, I canceled practices until further notice. Since I will be out on public (albeit limited exposure), I didn’t think it would be prudent to chance exposing anyone else.