TAMPA, Fla. — Damon Fowler has spent decades playing live shows.
“I started playing guitar when I was 10, doing gigs when I was 14. I played good ones and bad ones. Happy ones and sad ones," Fowler said.
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But now with music venues everywhere closed down, Fowler is strumming from his garage and streaming performances on Facebook.
“If we can help someone escape the stress and the pressure from that, just for an hour, I feel like we are bringing a positive to the world," Fowler said.
Dozens of musicians are doing the same. Some even have virtual tip jars where people can send money using payment apps.
“I want to keep music rolling I want to keep people involved," said Fowler.
Josh Plummer just became a full-time musician four months ago. Now, he’s already having to think about going back to a day job.
For now, these online shows are his only source of income.
“It’s great that we live in an age now where we can do what we do, just in an in formal setting rather than being right in front of people. You can still be in the same room as them, you just can’t see them," said Fowler.
Musicians are doing what they can to pay the bills from selling their music and merchandise, to giving online lessons.
But playing for people is what they really love.
“’It’s a tiny bit of normalcy to interact with these people and I hope it’s the same for them," said Fowler.
To see several musicians perform live go to @tampasessions on Facebook.
