It looks like the unthinkable is about to happen in downtown Nashville.
Bars and entertainment venues are about to be shut down, following an appeal from a local councilman.
Metro Nashville Councilman Brett Withers has issued a personal appeal asking bars and restaurants to close dining rooms, bar rooms and group gathering spaces by the end of business today as the realities of the coronavirus impact on music city.
Councilman Withers made the following statement on Facebook today:
“While neither the Mayor nor the Metropolitan Council of Davidson County has authority to issue such an order, I am issuing a personal appeal to close bar room and dining room spaces at the end of business today or as soon as absolutely feasible in the interest of our community’s health,” he said.
“If you can be creative with resources and develop strategies for turning your operation into takeout- or delivery-only for food or product sales, please do so immediately,” he continued.
“Be sure to indicate that information on your communications channels so that our neighbourhoods can continue to support you and your employees in a safe way.”
Australian country artists, musicians, promoters and other industry professionals are already feeling the financial toll of mass postponments of festivals including CMC Rocks Qld.
One Australian act that plays regularly in downtown Nashville are Brisbane sister trio, Dozzi.
“The only income we make at the moment is from playing downtown and getting tourists tips,” Andrea Dozzi told Tone Country today.
“Without being able to play we have no way to make money. Our visa only allows us to generate income through music,” she continued.
“So until it is safe to open the bars again us Dozzi girls will be really living a very very simple life and we’ll have to put recording plans on hold.”
Not all venues are planning to immediately comply with the councilmen’s request.
“We appreciate the efforts of Mayor Cooper to combat the COVID-19 virus, but unless there’s a statewide mandate that directs all bars and restaurants to be closed, the request made by mayor cooper is unconstitutional as he is targeting a select group of businesses,” said Steve Smith, owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Rippy’s, Honky Tonk Central, Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk Steakhouse in an official reply.
However, with significant shutdowns now taking affect across the world, a formal mandate is probably only a matter of days away.
Earlier today, the ACM Awards, originally scheduled to take place on April 5 in Las Vegas, were postponed.
And Nashville is still dealing with the impact of a recent tornado that hit parts of the city.
Check out ‘Ramones T-Shirt’ by Dozzi
