Save Our Stages – Memphis Flyer

Music Video Monday misses live shows.

No industry has been hit harder by the coronavirus pandemic than music. The small venues which serve as a breeding ground for the superstars of tomorrow have always had a marginal existence, but the COVID shutdown has pushed many beyond the brink. The Save Our Stages initiative seeks to enlist government help to preserve these valuable cultural institutions. It has attracted the support of many lawmakers, including Memphis’ Congressman Steve Cohen.

The shutdown has been hardest on the musicians, both the weekend warriors with day jobs and the road warriors who eke out a living playing all over the country. Alyssa Moore is emblematic of both sides of the story. She’s emerged from a tragic history to thrive as a solo artist, producer, and live sound engineer at the Hi Tone and other Memphis venues. But since March, she’s been stuck at home, spending her time making solo records and also bringing a little comedy to the situation. Made under her country persona Big Jim, “Woman of the Night” is a lament to lost nights on stage and behind the soundboard. The video, which she made at home with her roommates/bandmates Mitchell Manley and Jason Pulley, is comedy gold. What to do when there’s no place to play? Take to the streets.

Music Video Monday: Alyssa Moore

If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.

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Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) joined a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers last week to co-sponsor a $10 billion bill to help independent entertainment venues stay afloat during the pandemic.

The Save Our Stages (SOS) Act has broad support from congressional leaders, particularly those from districts or states dependent on live music for tourism, like Memphis and Tennessee. Lawmakers fanned out at live venues across the country earlier this week to push the bill.

The Senate version of the SOS Act would allow the Small Business Administration to make grants of up to $12 million to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative to be used for cost incurred between March 1st and December 31, 2020. Another grant of up to $6 million could be used for costs incurred through June 30, 2021.

Last week, Cohen also pushed a raft of bills he’s co-sponsored for COVID-19 relief. The RESTART Act would extend the Paycheck Protection Program. The Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed To Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act would establish a $120 billion grant program for relief to restaurants through 2020.

The Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Acts would allow those who earn a mix of paychecks from companies and from independent work (think musicians, here) to have access to the unemployment assistance provided in the CARES Act.

“Most musicians are facing unprecedented job loss with no end in sight,” said American Federation of Musicians president Ray Hair in a statement. “It is vital that musicians and others who have both W-2 and 1099 income are able to receive full unemployment benefits.”

Ninth District Congressman Steve Cohen

Cohen said not being able to share meals and listen to live music “is having a dire impact on those who rely on these industries for their livelihoods.”

“As important as the music industry is to Tennessee, I’m surprised these measures have so far found no support from our Congressional delegation except from [Rep. Jim Cooper] and me,” Cohen said in a statement. “I hope calling attention to this crisis will result in some relief.

“Too many small restaurants are suffering greatly and are in danger of closing permanently. This will affect not just diners in Memphis and Nashville but the whole tourist industry.”