Merry Christmas, from everyone at OffBeat. The best Christmas gift of all is that the new $900 billion CARES Act/COVID relief package approved by Congress specifically outlines some help for live music. Finally.
This is thanks to intense lobbying efforts by Save Our Stages, supported by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), and help from U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Cornyn, Rep. Chuck Schumer, and on a local level, members of NIVA, headed by Howlin’ Wolf owner Howie Kaplan. The National Independent Talent Association (NITO) also assisted in the effort.
Members of NIVA in metro New Orleans include Blue Nile, Carnaval Lounge, Civic Theatre, d.b.a. NOLA, Gasa Gasa, Generations Hall, Hi-Ho Lounge, Hogs for The Cause, Howlin’ Wolf, Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge, Maison, Maple Leaf Bar, Metropolitan Events, One-Eyed Jacks, Orpheum Theater, Preservation Hall, Republic NOLA, Saenger Theatre, Santos Bar, Sidneys Saloon, Southport Hall, Techno Club, The Art Garage, The Saint Bar and Lounge, The Spotted Cat Music Club, The Willow, Three Muses and Tipitina’s, with other members in Baton Rouge and throughout the state. Thanks to this group for working hard to make the effort to do something to help live music!
Eligibility for funding is for live music operators and promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators. relevant museum operators, movie theatre operators or talent representatives who were operating as of February 29, 2020.
These parties have to demonstrate that they had gross earned revenue during 2020 that demonstrates not less than a 25 percent reduction from the same period as in 2019, and must intend to continue to be in business in 2021. All venues have to have a defined performance and audience space, mixing equipment, PA and lighting rig and also engages two of the following: a sound engineer, a booker, promoter, a stage manager, security personnel and a box office manager.
The venue also has to affirm that there is a paid ticket or cover charged to attend performances and that artists are paid fairly, and don’t play free or solely for tips (except for fundraisers). Musicians can also be paid a percentage of the door or “another mutually beneficial agreement” with the operator. Additionally, 70 percent of the entity’s revenue must be generated through live events. live Venues owned or operated by a non-profit must prove that events are produced and managed by paid employees, not by volunteers, and that performances are marketed through listings in printed or electronic means, on websites by mass email or on social media. There are more requirements for movie theatres and museum, and additional provisions on ticket sales before the event.
The recipients of the funds cannot be majority owned or controlled by any entity that’s listed on a national securities exchange (this eliminating large operators like AEG and Live Nation); cannot receive more than 10 percent of gross revenue from Federal funding; cannot operate in more than one country, or in more than 10 states and cannot employ more than 500 employees not can be operated by a state or other political subdivision.
There are a lot more provisions for the recipients of funds in this bill (see here):
A lot of hard work went into this effort, but it’s paid off. A brighter 2021 lies ahead for live music and musicians, at last.
