The Lincoln Theater is dwelling to a whole lot of bands excited to get again on stage after an extended final two years, however excessive fuel costs are making it troublesome for concertgoers who do not dwell close by to get there.
AND FUNDRAISER. THE GROUP RAISED MORE THAN $2000. $4 AND $0.20 A GALLON. THAT’S WHAT YOU’LL PAY AT JUST ABOUT ANY GAS STATION IN OUR AREA TONIGHT FOR LOCAL BANDS AND MUSICIANS ALREADY RECOVERING FROM THE ECONOMIC HIT OF THE PANDEMIC. THE RISING GAS PRICES ARE A TOUGH BLOW. WRAL’S LESLIE MORENO JOINS US LIVE AT LINCOLN THEATER WITH SOME OF THEIR CHALLENGES. LESLIE. >> WE KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT PLANNED ON COMING OUT FOR THE SHOW TONIGHT FROM PLACES LIKE DURHAM AND KERRY HAVE ALREADY CANCELED BECAUSE OF THOSE HIGH GAS PRICES. IF THERE ARE NO TICKET SALES BANDS AND MUSICIANS HERE DON’T GET PAID. AND THAT’S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. >> THE LINCOLN THEATER IS HOME TO HUNDREDS OF FANS EXCITED TO GET BACK ON STAGE AFTER A LONG LAST 2 YEARS. BUT HIGH GAS PRICES ARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONCERT GOERS WHO DON’T LIVE NEARBY TO GET THERE. THIS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE WITH THE GAS PRICES. >> I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE DO I WANT TO SPEND THIS MONEY ON GAS? AND I WANTED TO SAVE THIS MONEY TO PUT IT SOMEWHERE. I KNOW THAT I’LL BE ABLE TO USE IT PROPERLY. >> DONOVAN HARRISON IS A SINGER PRODUCTIVE AND HE SAYS THEY MAKE MONEY FROM SALES. IF NO ONE SHOWS UP, THEY DON’T GET PAID, WHICH IS ALSO A LOSS FOR VENUES. WE DO WELL WHEN WE SELL LIQUOR AND THERE. >> THAT’S, YOU KNOW, THE UPSIDE FOR US. JOHN WORKS A DOOR AT LINCOLN GEETER. HE INTERACTS WITH DOZENS OF FANS. HE SAYS HIGH GAS PRICES COULD BE ANOTHER SETBACK FOR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. THEY’RE MUSICIANS, THEY’LL DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO. >> THEY DON’T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY TO BEGIN WITH. THE BAND WILL START TRAVELING FOR GIGS IN A COUPLE WEEKS. SOMETIMES THEY USE RIDESHARE TO CARRY ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT LATELY. HE SAYS PRICES ARE NOT AFFORDABLE. AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS STUFF THAT WE LOVE THIS STUFF THAT WE DO. THIS IS OUR BREAD AND BUTTER. >> SO I FEEL AS THOUGH IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT ALL LOCAL ARTISTS BECAUSE WE TOOK A LOT OF TIME TO PREPARE AND >> IT SHOWS GOING. >> LENA, REALLY A TOUGH SITUATION FOR MANY MUSICIANS FOR A LOT OF THEM AT THE SHOW’S HERE ARE SOMETIMES THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME. YOU KNOW, I TELL YOU THAT THE BAND SOUNDED PRETTY GOOD. SO HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL COME OUT AND