The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
Some sad news about an important musical landmark in L.A. and where the Eagles were essentially born.
Like so many other music venues, the Troubadour is facing tough financial times due to the shutdown. They have started a GoFundMe page to raise funds.
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But as Gov. Gavin Newsom was recently laying out the stages by which businesses may be able to re-open, Christine Karayan, the club’s general manager, realized the seeming futility of the Troubadour’s plight. Newsom has announced that music venues will be among the last to open, in Phase 4. ....“That means the middle to the end of next year to potentially open, and maybe a 25% cap” on crowd size, Karayan says. “I can’t foresee being able to ride this out like that.”
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The Troubadour brand in Los Angeles is so embedded into music culture that many fans misunderstand the mechanics of the club, Karayan says. Describing it as “a little bit forgotten,” Karayan says, “We’re lumped in with the big boys, and we’re not the big boys. We don’t have shareholders. We don’t have corporate money. We are what we are.”
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When she read a month ago that Live Nation and AEG were predicting a fall 2020 reopening, Karayan was relieved. “I was like, ‘We can do that. We probably won’t have concerts until the end of the year, but it’s OK.” But, she adds, “Now it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m sorry. We’re talking, potentially, the middle of next year.’”
As an active member of the National Independent Venue Assn., she’s communicating with its 800 affiliates about lobbying for government aid. She says that many have expressed doubt that they’ll be able to survive an extended closure without immediate help.
Like many businesses, the Troubadour set up a GoFundMe page to help its 20 hourly employees, some of whom have worked at the club for decades, meet their needs. All but three have been laid off. To date, the campaign has raised $11,400 of its $30,000 goal. But that was a stopgap measure, and Karayan said the club will soon be raising its goal to underscore the urgency. It’s one of the only remaining options.
“Historic Troubadour nightclub launches GoFundMe page, calls survival ‘a big if’” by Randall Roberts, L.A. Times, May 5, 2020
In case this article is behind a paywall, here’s a link to another article:
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/his...virus-closure/
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
Oh, that's so sad. I loved being able to go there with Dreamer a few years ago.
Ok, all you millionaire musicians that The Troubadour helped out way back when, pay it forward!
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
Brooke, you and all the other Border members who’ve been there are very fortunate. I was in L.A. last summer but wasn’t able to squeeze in a visit. Now I may have missed my chance.:sigh: Hopefully things turn around for them.
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
If they aren't already (and they should be!), they should try to get on the National Register of Historic Places. That might help generate interest and support. Maybe they could give distanced tours featuring the history and colorful stories of the building for a fee.
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
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Originally Posted by
FreyFollower
If they aren't already (and they should be!), they should try to get on the National Register of Historic Places. That might help generate interest and support. Maybe they could give distanced tours featuring the history and colorful stories of the building for a fee.
Great idea!
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Brooke
Oh, that's so sad. I loved being able to go there with Dreamer a few years ago.
Ok, all you millionaire musicians that The Troubadour helped out way back when, pay it forward!
Agree Brooke ! Hopefully something can be done to help. Is Doug Weston still the around and the owner ?
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
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Originally Posted by
New Kid In Town
[/B]Agree Brooke ! Hopefully something can be done to help. Is Doug Weston still the around and the owner ?
No, Weston died in 1999. His former business partner, Ed Karayan , owns the club and the building.
The GoFundMe account is past $58,000. Last night when I checked it was about $35,000.
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
I really hope that it doesn't close down. Brooke, I was thinking exactly the same thing before I even read your post. Great minds! :wink:
Okay - all you millionaire entertainers who got their big break at The Troubadour ... it's time to ante up!
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
This is so sad...I was actually planning a trip to LA before the coronavirus, to see a good friend who just moved out there and to the Troubadour and other-Eagles related sites, now I feel like I missed my chance. I hope all of the musicians who got their start there chip in and help save it!
Re: The Troubadour in Trouble due to Coronavirus
I agree, it's time for some payback from the wealthy musicians who got their start there. There are plenty around to ante up.
Also, I like the idea of getting on an historic preservation list, as well. Nice. Wish them the best of luck.