Two Billion Lost And Counting

There has been $2.45 billion lost in Nashville visitor spending since the Coronavirus got started! That includes $92 million and counting in lost hotel and sales tax money. Haven’t seen a number yet on lost concert revenue, but you know it’s huge.

There was a story in the mass media this week about how artists/managers/crew are dealing with zero income realities. One manager said he’s planning on a reboot with everyone mid-summer 2021. Many on Music Row haven’t seen a touring paycheck since October 2019. No one had any idea the world would be thrown into a pandemic.

The former police commissioner of New York City, Bill Bratten, said this week it will be a NEW New York when this is over. NYC will never be like it was in 2019. That is something to think about.

What will they world be like when a vaccine kicks in? There are still so many safety and performance issues, and financial issues too. Will fewer busses hit the road? Less catering? Video wall and video needs lessened? How will the box office look, and what venues will be able to have a full house? Maximized profits will be the name of the game.

Most colleges are back with the fall semester, but can the students intern? What is the job situation going to look like when they graduate? What will the post-virus music industry look like?

Hollywood is pushing hard trying to work pre-vaccine. It’s costing more and taking longer for sure.

In the trickle down, a smaller budget at the top means smaller budgets at the bottom. Add in increasing social issues. “Woke” is the new word of the hour. Read about “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and ask if that can happen to your shop. Toxic workplaces will be a target. So many things will have noting to do with the show, but will have everything to do with the atmosphere and the mood created.

“American Idol” is doing virtual auditions this coming season. All the on-camera faces will return. “America’s Got Talent’s” Simon Cowell has a broken back but is healing. “The Voice” is not starting in early September as previously thought. Nothing is easy involving this bug.

Will the downtown Nashville honky-tonks survive this? The Nashville Christmas Parade is going virtual. The huge National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas won’t happen like normal. Dozens of Country acts are normally playing Vegas during the rodeo.

In 2020, we are just trying to stay safe and sort out how to live our work lives via Zoom.

If you’re looking for something to watch on TV, Netflix just debuted “DeMarcus Family Rules” starting Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and his family. The kids steal the show. It is similar to that show with KISS’ Gene Simmons and his family, if you can remember that one. I will watch episode two. It’s a work in progress.