Dierks Bentley pledges $90k to help hourly employees as his Nashville bar shuts down due to coronavirus
As the world grapples with the global pandemic of the novel Coronavirus, celebrities are pitching in for employees affected by lack of work.
Dierks Bentley is the next in line to donate money to workers, as he pledged to put aside $90,000 to continue to pay all hourly employees at his Whiskey Row restaurant and bar in Nashville.
The country singer, 44, took to Instagram on Monday to reveal his decision as the restaurant closes for the foreseeable future as parts of the country go on lockdown from the novel Coronavirus.
Out of pocket: Dierks Bentley pledges $90k to help hourly employees as his Nashville bar shuts down due to coronavirus
‘My heart goes out’: He used to work at a bar himself, said the singer
Sharing a note written on his phone, the singer (born Frederick Dierks Bentley) said ‘Just gave last call at @whiskeyrownashville as we close the doors for a while.’
Empathizing with workers in Nashville’s popular strip, he said ‘My heart goes out to all the guys/girls down on Lower Broad. Feels like yesterday that it was me down there working for tips.’
‘I am going to immediately give each of our 90 hourly employees $1,000 to help in the short run as our community and the country try to get a grip on the situation,’ he said.
His decision comes just after Nashville Mayor John Cooper ordered all bars on Lower Broadway and in Davidson County to close in an attempt to limit the spread of novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.
Normal scenes: Seen is his bar Whiskey Row last week, during a tornado relief concert
He also went on to encourage other bar owners to take care of their staff during this time.
Saying: ‘@Riohospitalitygroup and I encourage all bar owners on Lower Broadway to take care of their bartenders, bar backs, waitresses, security, dishwashers, etc the best they can.’
‘Lower Broadway is the heartbeat of Nashville,’ he said. ‘Let’s make sure we help the folks that help make the music happen.’
As COVID-19 has spread across the country, country music has taken action to limit spread in compliance with suggestions by the CDC.
Stagecoach festival, scheduled for April, will now be moved to October, the ACM Awards will be postponed and Zac Brown Band delayed their Spring tour dates.