KNOXVILLE, TN – Here’s a video from CNBC’s Squawk Box show from August 25, 2020 of Bandit Lites Chair and Founder Michael T. Strickland making the case for the live event industry that went to zero income in mid March and will remain at zero until March of 2021. Strickland was joined by Phil Ehart, drummer and manager of the band Kansas to discuss the pandemic’s impact on the live entertainment industry, detailing the pandemic’s impact on businesses in the $38 billion live entertainment industry, which contributes $300 billion to the national economy.
“You’ve got ten million people who are making literally no income,” said Strickland during the interview, also noting the lack of attention so far by the media on the industry’s plight, which will hopefully change as the industry bands together to issue a “red alert” by lighting buildings red Sept. 1. “This is the first national segment the Live Events industry has gotten,” he said.
Strickland has spent the past several months in conjunction with NAMM’s (National Association of Music Merchants) Executive Committee meeting with and working directly with members of congress to include targeted relief for the live music industry as legislators weigh additional coronavirus relief measures.
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Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBIy0xY_Lk&feature=youtu.be
