A handful of musicians have begun to give back to Americans affected by the government shutdown, providing free concert tickets and food to federal employees.
No matter how you look at it, it’s a pretty rough time to be a federal employee of the USA right now. Currently in the middle of the longest government shutdown in history, non-essential employees have been forced to take unpaid leave, while essential employees are currently working without pay.
Despite this, there have been a few interesting moments to come out of this shutdown. First was Snoop Dogg’s foul-mouthed response to Donald Trump, then there was the story of fed-up TSA agents blasting uncensored rap music at a New York airport in protest of the shutdown.
However, as Rolling Stone notes, some musicians have begun to give back as best they can, offering free tickets to furloughed employees.
With Nile Rodgers & Chic set to perform near Washington, D.C. this weekend, the group have put up an application form for government employees, with the first 300 respondees receiving a double-pass.
“Like many people, I’m frustrated by what’s happening and my heart goes out to these incredibly hard-working people who provide important service to our country, yet have had their lives, disrupted by circumstances, not of their doing,” Rodgers explained.
“As a two-time cancer survivor, I believe music has a tremendous power and this is a small gesture I can make to provide some joy and healing.”
“In one of my biggest songs I wrote, ‘We Are Family, I’ve got all my sisters with me,’ I consider all of these people to be my brothers and sisters and I hope this lets them know that we are 100 percent behind them.”
Check out Chic’s ‘Le Freak’:
However, Nile Rodgers & Chic aren’t the only ones giving back to the unlucky employees, with KISS also providing free meals to federal workers.
In a message posted to Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley’s Rock & Brews restaurant chain, it was revealed that they would be providing free meals to TSA employees in an attempt to help out those in need.
Likewise, talkshow host Jimmy Kimmel has also been helping out how he can, offering a job to one furloughed employee on each episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“Tonight and every night until the shutdown is over, we’re going to put a federal employee to work here at the show,” Kimmel explained earlier this year on his program.
While there’s no end to the US government shutdown in sight right now, there’s no saying how many other artists or celebrities will throw their collective hats in the ring to help out as best they can.
Check out KISS’ ‘Hard Luck Woman’:
KISS End Of The Road Australian Tour 2019
Saturday, November 16th
RAC Arena, Perth, WA
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Tuesday, November 19th
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, SA
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Thursday, November 21st
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Friday, November 22nd
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Saturday, November 23rd
Supercars Newcastle 500, NSW*
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Tuesday, November 26th
QUDOS Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Thursday, November 28th
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
