Idaho musicians upended by pandemic: Some 'have just stopped playing'
Musicians, indeed, all artists know lean times. But local musician Steve Fulton says musicians have never seems times as lean as during this pandemic. (Photo Courtesy Steve Fulton)
BOISE (CBS2) — Musicians, indeed, all artists, know lean times.
But local musicians Steve Fulton and Todd Dunnigan say musicians have never seen times as lean as these during this pandemic.
"All my work in concerts is gone to the tune of $50,000 this year," said Fulton, who also works in concert production management. "All the gigs I have as a musician, they went away."
"Those first few days in March were panic-inducing," Dunnigan said. "On Friday, I had a pretty good set of gigs through the rest of the year. By Monday, I had nothing."
Some years ago, Fulton and Dunnigan partnered in the start-up of Audio Lab Recording Studio in Garden City.
They have traveled different paths in the world of music. But the pandemic turned that world upside down.
Bars are closed, weddings, special events; canceled, or held with tiny gatherings.
"I know musicians who have just stopped playing," Fulton said.
But musicians are creative. Fulton has the studio to lean on, and Dunnigan is active in virtual performing.
CBS2 asked Dunnigan how one makes money in virtual, online performing.
"If you go to my live stream, at the bottom will be Pay Pal, Venmo, a cash app, various other ways to give," Dunnigan explained. "And people are very generous about doing it that way."
The summer weather has allowed for some outdoor performances. But Fulton and Dunnigan worry about what will happen in the fall.
But they also say the upheaval of the pandemic has taught them some deeper meaning.
"I am amazed at how resilient the music industry is," Dunnigan said.
"My relationship with fellow musicians and artists is much much stronger now because we are all going through this same scary, shaky situation."