Blackberry Smoke Gives Free Tickets to Fans Hurt by Government Shutdown
Our elected officials may not be able to get their shit together and come to any sort of consensus, and the three week Band-Aid in place at the moment keeping the government funded may only be short relief for the some 800,000 Federal workers affected by the current budget impasse. But one band is doing what they can to show respect for the hard working Americans inconvenienced or imperiled by the government shutdown. Blackberry Smoke has stepped up to offer free tickets to those in distress due to the government shutdown.
“We aren’t here to talk politics. We aren’t debating anyone’s personal beliefs,” the band said in a statement. “But if you’re a federal employee who wasn’t getting paid or put on furlough and need a break from all the bullshit that’s been happening around it, we’d like to invite you out for a night to an upcoming Blackberry Smoke show. We know there is a temporary, 3 week, solution, but we would still like to extend an invitation.”
Known not just for being the current kings of Southern rock music, but for having one of the most loyal fan bases in music for showing that loyalty back, Blackberry Smoke proves it again with this invitation.
“We are going to hold some tickets at every venue for our brothers and sisters who weren’t working or told not to work because of the shutdown,” the band continues. “We have set up a website to find the show that is closest to you and provide verification of your Government employment. We can’t promise to get everyone in, it will be first come, first serve, but we are working with every venue and box office to try. You are allowed to bring your significant other or someone you want to hang out with, and the 2 of you can come and be our guest. We know it’s not a lot but hopefully, you can meet some great people, listen to some music, and put your mind at ease for a little while. We support all American workers and want you to know you are appreciated.”
Blackberry Smoke’s latest album Find a Light released in April of 2018 was nominated for Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year, and they recently released an acoustic EP of songs from the album called The Southern Ground Sessions.
Blackberry Smoke aren’t the only ones who stepped up to lend a helping hand during the shutdown. John Prine and his label Oh Boy Records purchased lunch for all of the TSA workers at the Nashville airport on January 18th during the shutdown. “The Nashville airport is my second home and everyone there always takes care of me,” John Prine said. “It’s nice to be able to do something small for them today.”
Cackalack
January 30, 2019 @ 7:42 pm
Them boys are a class act.
Moondog
January 30, 2019 @ 8:45 pm
Solid…good karma coming their way!
Mark
January 30, 2019 @ 10:51 pm
Very nice of the band to do this.
hoptowntiger94
January 30, 2019 @ 11:17 pm
We need more of this shit! People helping each other; less dependence on the “government,” cause they don’t care about us.
Tanned Nuts
January 30, 2019 @ 11:55 pm
Nice.
Bruce Crook
January 31, 2019 @ 4:28 am
BlackBerry smoke is awesome , just a great backyard atmosphere band with some truly nice people , I wished they were my neighbors.
Bruce Crook
January 31, 2019 @ 4:41 am
My favorite band,
cleancutredneck
January 31, 2019 @ 5:17 am
it refreshing to have a band of their status make a move like this and not politicize it……kudos to BBS!
Fuzzy TwoShirts
January 31, 2019 @ 8:11 am
Kids, this here’s what America’s all about
Raise your glasses high.
I don’t believe we’ll see another display of humanity as grand as this for quite some time
people can be great, if they put their heart into it
Terri
January 31, 2019 @ 8:31 am
This is an awesome band I have been able to see them three times and hopefully I’ll see them again. Thank you Blackberry Smokes
A.K.A. City
January 31, 2019 @ 9:52 am
I am deeply impressed that they did this.
Kevin Elevin
January 31, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
First class good ole boys!!
Groovy
January 31, 2019 @ 4:02 pm
Great group of guy’s love their music have all albums missed them at smoky mountain harley Davidson but won’t miss next one!
Sonja
January 31, 2019 @ 5:07 pm
I think it’s great what your doing as musicians A time of enjoyment for those to free their minds for a good time with pleasure of music my escape music making my own or enjoying others I lost my partner of 28 years last year and went to see Robert Plant and the music was a great pleasure for my mind I enter back stage parked there and just cut lose with the tunes I enjoyed.Thanks for your care not a fire victim one from millionaires with no manners took my partners life of 28 years we had together and all was so wrong with how he left life.Thanks for giving a few hours of relaxing their minds very kind of yall.Just Saying Thanks more need to care in life.
Royce Hart
January 31, 2019 @ 5:18 pm
It’s great that my Georgia brothers and southern rock Brothers are you doing this very kind act of kindness to people who need help that are not getting paid… What are you going to show a contact to disabled people???
Cindy Cunningham
January 31, 2019 @ 7:21 pm
Doesn’t surprise me that this group of men are doing this. Their songs are as true as they are. Love me some Blackberry Smoke!
Jonathan Wilson
January 31, 2019 @ 11:54 pm
Seen these boys in west Virginia have been following them on YouTube for a very long time I would like to give them a shout out .here’s to smoke. Keep rocking good ole boys like you are what is going to make America great again. We all need to put are best foot in and help are fellow Americans in these trying times. Guys I love ya. West Virginia loves ya. Keep rocking!!!
Corncaster
February 1, 2019 @ 4:00 pm
Do we really want to live a backbiting always chewing on each other he said she said tribal kind of life? It’s like we’re all ex-husbands and ex-wives after a bitter divorce.
I was getting a pulley replaced in my vehicle this morning and watched morning tv for the first time since about 1992.
What a snake pit.
Wherever you are, it’s good to look after each other. Be one of the good people.