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COVID-19 isn't shutting down venues, it's shutting down gigs

How are local bands responding to gigs being canceled?

SAN ANGELO, Texas — The life of a musician is something many admire. From performing in front of sold-out crowds, to having legions of fans sing along with every word to every song.

It's a lifestyle local bands are chasing.

"I mean, it's like a drug. I want to do it every night for the rest of my life that's the goal right now," Dacota Deaver Band guitarist Ryne Rogers said.

Rogers has performed more than 100 gigs, but with the spread of COVID-19, his goal will have to put on hold for a while. Rogers and his bandmates were supposed to perform at the American Airlines Center in front of 2,000 people, but the gig was canceled.  

"Giving up an opportunity like that is very tough on the chest," Rogers said. 

The band's entire March schedule was booked, but is now completely canceled because of all venues being shutdown.

"They canceled American Airline Center, small gigs it doesn't matter where it is they are just not letting people come," Rogers said. "It's been a really shocking week as a musician."

Rogers isn't the only musician missing out on gigs. Park-19, a new band, is also trying to make its way into the music scene. The band had four gigs booked, but just like Dacota Deaver Band's, they were all canceled. 

"We got a text message back from the guy we were about to play for and he was like hey with everything going on we are going to have to cancel," Park-19 rhythm guitarist Coulter McWillians said.

Within the next few hours, McWillans and company continued receiving bad news as the text messages poured informing them another show had been canceled.

Park-19 lead singer John DeJesus and Rogers are using this as positive to be better as musicians. 

"It was kind of a blessing in disguise because again it gave us a chance to write new songs and be more creative," DeJesus said.

"I just urge everybody to rest and don't freak out hopefully this will pass soon," Rogers said.

Despite COVID-19 shutting everything down, Rogers and Park-19 are all ready to get back on stage as soon as possible. 

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