Many in Fort Worth are heeding advice to practice social distancing during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. The necessary precaution has lead to the cancellation of gigs and concerts that financially support local musicians.

To help our city’s musicians in this time of need, there are several ongoing efforts to raise funds for those who are hardest hit by the recent epidemic. Our friends at Hear Fort Worth provided these tips for supporting local musicians during current times. 


ARTIST + SERVICE WORKER RELIEF FUND

Local musician Rachel Gollay, with the help of several locals, spearheaded the Fort Worth Artist & Service Worker Relief Fund. Two local companies donated proceeds to the effort. Thirst & Company designed two fundraiser t-shirt and local musician Jack Barksdale donated proceeds from items sold from his website.

“With gig after gig getting canceled, livelihoods are at stake,” Gollay wrote. “Empty bars, restaurants and venues mean meager funds to take home at the end of the night and little to nothing left to pay the bills. All donations will be equitably divided and transferred among those who request assistance...”

 

The fund has now been extended by the United Way to support musicians and creatives by way of Hear Fort Worth and Film Fort Worth. Learn how to apply and contribute here


Buy Merchandise 

Buying a shirt, hat or other forms of merchandise from your favorite musician gives you something fashionable to wear for years while putting money directly in the pockets of that artist. The easiest way to find out what Abraham Alexander, Rachel Gollay, Cut Throat Finches or other local musos are selling is to visit their website.  

 

Buy Albums

Most of us are going to be hunkered down in our homes more than usual. Let new tunes and albums set the backdrop to your time at home. Need some tips? Squeezebox Bandits released Sounds of Texas last year. The album’s 11 tracks capture North Texas’ unique blend of Tejano and C&W influences. Blues rockers Polydogs are a virtuosic force. You can buy their debut album, complete with nine hookish tunes, online. 


Support Local Record Stores

Chief Record, Record Town, Panther City Vinyl and other music stores are a vital part of the local music scene. If you don’t need a new album or merchandise, consider buying a gift card for when you do. Some of these stores are running discounts on gift cards as well as offering other deals.  

 


Concert Ticket Refunds

A friend of mine who works in the music industry just reminded me of what goes into a ticket purchase. That $20 ticket supports music venue staff, musicians, booking agents, promoters and countless members of this country’s music industry. 

Many supporters of the fine arts are voluntarily forgoing asking for a refund for tickets to our city’s symphony and opera. Considering the same approach for local music acts can ensure that venues can keep their lights on and that service sector employees still have work.

If there’s a show this fall that you’ve had your eye on, consider booking your ticket now. Any small investment in this city’s future can go a low way to dampening the current temporary slowdown in economic activity.

Follow Hear Fort Worth

Hear Fort Worth is doing a great job of sharing useful information for musicians and meaningful ways that fans can help Follow the nonprofit on Instagram @HearFortWorth and Facebook. Plans are in the works for live streaming shows that are ticketed. It’s a new idea that many other cities are also exploring in these uncertain times. 

As new means of hearing live shows or supporting local musicians and artists become available, you’ll hear about it through Hear Fort Worth and Visit Fort Worth.