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Monday, February 25, 2008
News Save the Music(ians)
Posted by on Mon, Feb 25 at 4:07 PM
I recently did an interview with Panther and we spent time talking about the difficulties of being—or trying to be—a working musician. From the “people need to buy albums” angle, the touring tolls and costs, and so forth.
Then I read this great story about aging jazz musicians who can’t afford health insurance by Nate Chinen, and it really hammered things home. Also be sure to check out cancer afflicted Andrew D’Angelo’s blog (one of the story’s subjects) where he writes often about the ordeal. It’s heavy, very sad, but also enlightening. An excerpt:
I’m very angry today. I’m incredibly upset, depressed and not in a good place because of the news I received at my meeting with the neurologist yesterday. (Actually, I think he’s a ‘neurooncologist’ or however you fucking spell that). Anyway, FUCK CANCER SHIT!!!!! AND FUCK THE TREATMENT OF THIS BULLSHIT!!!!…So, I have been prescribed to take radiation treatment for 6 weeks, 4/5 days a week starting as soon as possible… Now I have to take puke fucking toxic bullshit…
It’s not all that combative, so take a look. And if you can, make a donation.
Searching for a solution to this, I hit a wall. How do we support the people in our lives that, through music, make them worth living or at least tolerable?
Then it hit me. It’s so simple (well, at least the healthcare bit). THIS COUNTRY NEEDS UNIVERSAL COVERAGE! So, if you’ve got a few more bucks to spare, maybe you should give them to this guy. And stick one of these pins on the ol’ guitar strap or messenger bag.
Comments
if you are a musician you get free drinks but no healthcare. hmmm, how does that usually turn out? it's not a surprise people who have toured their whole lives don't usually live very long. it takes it's toll. (the stones don't count - they are probably transported in hyperbaric chambers).
I can't wait until smoking is banned inside clubs all over the country.
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it's interesting how many directions you can reach this conclusion from. for me, it was cycling. a while back, there was a crazy guy harassing lady cyclists. turns out, he couldn't afford psych meds. so he was terrifying various women and about to be locked up. and of course, cyclists are always getting knocked over by cars and breaking a wrist or a finger without it making news. for want of a a spare $500 in the bank, good, hardworking people's lives can be seriously derailed.
hillary is also good on health care, but yeah, obama's the better candidate. less war-y. i've given money; i'll undoubtedly give more.