11/10/2020
On this day of effort and activism, geared specifically to persuade Congress to pass the bill, and , we also want to hear from you and show our support. One of our industry's own, James Berry (Go 4 Berry Productions) shared this today. We know so many of you have similar stories and that is specifically why we work. Together we can WIN!
Courtesy, Go4BerryProductions:
(From my wife) Many view their job as a means for money to support their family. But the very lucky hold a job that they do for the passion that they have for it. James was one of those lucky few, dedicating his life to his passion. For the past 18 years he has put his life aside and traveled with some of the biggest talent as a touring monitor engineer, under Go 4 Berry productions. In 2013 we got married, James taking only a short two day stent off from touring to celebrate. In 2015 our son James was born and then in 2017 our daughter Angelina and in those first years James spent far more days in rehearsals and stadiums then at home. While James dedicated all of his energy to the artist he toured with, we were across the world proudly supporting him and his dream. He gave all he had to the industry and his family, FaceTiming from tour buses in the middle of the night to sing Happy Birthday or watch babies first steps through a phone screen. On March 14, 2020 James left Nashville abruptly on one of the last flights back to New Jersey because Covid had shuttered the city. The industry he had given his life to, was at a complete standstill. The large venues he once filled with music, were ghost towns. That was also the last day that James had any source of income for our family.
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Since that day in March almost 8 months ago, James like many others in the industry have not received monetary relief. Denied for stimulus, grants and loans (no unemployment benefits or employer paid healthcare coverage because James is an independent contractor) the touring industry was completely left in the dark. The hardest part was Jamesā inability to gain future employment as many people donāt know what a touring monitor engineer āroadieā is let alone their fierce work ethic and countless skill sets required to always make the show happen. With hundreds of applications filled out and with no hope in sight we had to make a life altering decision and move ourselves halfway across the country; and our children away from their home in hopes James could find a temporary source of income.
Our entire way of life changed the day the music stopped. Our finances were crippled, our family home sold, our children taken from the only life theyāve ever known and only hope that one day the show will get back on the road.
With that being said I humbly ask you for three things you can do to help. 1. Contact Congress and let them know we need them to extend and expand PUA and FPUC (swipe for resources) extendpua.org/jam for phone numbers, call scripts, Twitter handles and more information regarding your Congress members.
I have been relentless in my pursuit of raising awareness and reaching out to every person that will (sometimes) listen to me but we need you all to advocate for us-even if just for the love of music.
2. If youāre able-hire an unemployed touring professional. James was denied countless jobs because of being overly or under qualified when he, without pride and hesitation went to work on a farm (most days covered in cow sh*t) to provide for his family so that I can be at home with our children who are not yet of school age.
3. Be kind to one another, weāre all going through something even if silently ā¤ļø
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Itās time to be heard!
