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The owners of the Double Wide bar have joined forces with DJ Blake Ward to present a YouTube concert series – and help musicians and performers get paid.
It’s called QuaranTV. Hip-hop artist 88 Killa kicked off the series. Episodes from soulful pop singer Larry GEE and comedian Gretchen Young, known on stage as “GretchYo,” will follow. Keep an eye on the website for more updates or to donate.
The show is powered by a Kickstarter campaign that has hit its minimum goal and is asking for support for future episodes. Don’t have spare cash? They’re asking for a donation of time or services that could also help.
According to their Kickstarter campaign, “most of the money will go directly to the performers and the production people who spend time on the show.”
The project was made for, “entertaining the people in a time of chaos because people need to feel good right now,” said Kim Finch, who co-owns Double Wide with Joel Stephenson. “They need hope and happiness to get us through this.”
The organizers want to give musicians, performers, and comedians an outlet to be creative while also making money to feed their families.
As a bar and venue, Double Wide faces huge losses closing up shop due to the virus. But more than their own losses, the owners are concerned for their performers and staff.
“I’ve lost a lot of sleep. The first thing that came to mind was, ‘what are we gonna do for our staff?'” Stephenson said. “How are they gonna eat? How are they gonna have a roof over their heads?'”
Ward said he’s lost over $20,000 in bookings during this crisis. Teaming up with Double Wide will relieve some of that loss while helping other performers around Dallas flex their creative muscles and do what they love.
“I’m very stressed out. But, I’m also glad I’m not in this alone,” Ward said.
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