The singer has now joined Lady Gaga, Dave Grohl and many other celebrity musicians in a letter to Congress expressing their support for small venues. The artists want the government to support the particularly small and independent locations that were unable to generate any income during the Corona pandemic due to canceled performances. More than 600 artists have signed the letter so far.
The National Independent Venue Association, an association for national independent venues, was formed in April and is listed on the association's website, 'www.nivassoc.org', the letter that the stars are signing and sending to Congress has now been published. Funding is called for as reportedly over 1000 independent restaurants across the U. S. on the verge of bankruptcy. The letter read: "Dear Congress, We, the undersigned artists, respectfully submit this letter to support NIVA's request for government assistance to independent music events and promoters in the United States. We will know that America is back, when our music venues are filled with fans who are sure to enjoy concerts. The live music experience is inseparable from our nation's cultural and economic fabric. In fact, 53% of Americans - that's 172 million of us - attended a concert last year. We ask you to remember that we are the nation that gave the world Jazz, Country, Rock & Roll, Bluegrass, Hip-Hop, Metal, Blues and R&B."
