There isn’t much Texans enjoy more than some live tunes and a cold drink on a hot summer night. Good luck finding that this August.
"They're hurting. They can't be open," Owen Carlson said.
The longtime owner of the Horny Toad Bar and Grill says independent music and concert venues across the state are facing financial ruin because of the pandemic.
At his own spot in tiny Cranfills Gap, they're finally open because they do enough food sales. But folks looking for regular, live music that usually fills the bar, or outside patio, won't find it.
“From being closed, to being open 25 percent, to 75 percent. We’ve cut out a lot of stuff we normally do,” said Owen.
His wife Sandi said, "We just can’t because of what they’re asking us to do, no big crowds."
The economic fallout facing shuttered music spots has caught the eye of Republican Rep. Roger Williams, who oversees a district that stretches from near Austin to Weatherford.
“These were the first to close and last to open. We’re doing all these things to get back to normal. It’s a huge industry and needs help,” Williams told 25 News this week.
Williams is sponsoring the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act with a Vermont Democrat as part of an effort to get up to $10 billion dollars in SBA grants dished out to hard-hit theatres, roadhouses and other music venues across the country.
"This is designed to help them get started again," said Williams.
The funds could go toward expenses like rent, utilities, payroll, mortgages or taxes.
Congress left for its August recess without taking up the bill for a vote. With a larger coronavirus relief bill stalled, it isn't clear just when, or if, the music bill will push through when members return in September.
Williams says it could be folded into a larger aid bill, if necessary.
"It depends what it takes to get to the end. Possibly, maybe the quickest way is to include it in this next coronarvirus bill,” he said.
At the Horny Toad, they know quicker is better. Those venues need help now, not in three to four months when some may have already shut down for good.
"We know people in that situation. Some are really hurting," said Owen.
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