Turnpike Fiddle Player Kyle Nix Shares Candid Thoughts On Tough Year: “I’m Hoping To See The Light”

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It’s no secret that the pandemic has been extremely difficult for people. Some have lost loved ones, the economy is tanking, unemployment is through the roof, people are losing their businesses, and on top of all of that, the lockdowns are taking their toll on mental health as well.

And one of the industries that has been hit the hardest… musicians.

It’s pretty simple… musicians make their money on the road, performing shows for fans across the country. When you shut down venues, shut down bars, shut down large groups of any kind, they don’t play and they don’t make money. And it’s not just them, the rest of the band, the crews, the booking agencies, the managers, the sound and video people, the venues, hell even the catering if they have it… the list goes on. But it’s important to remember that it’s not just guy/girl holding the microphone that is affected.

And after months and months of no shows or very limited shows, folks in the music industry are hurting. Both financially and mentally.

We saw artists like Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley call for the return to touring when the Biden/Harris celebrations were drawing large crowds, Scotty McCreery, Josh Abbott joined in their frustration as well.

But Turnpike Troubadours fiddle player Kyle Nix (who recently released a killer solo album as well) has shared perhaps one of the most poignant updates on how the pandemic is affecting his life… and of course, the hiatus of Turnpike prior to the pandemic plays a huge role in this as well.

Not holding anything back, Kyle took to Twitter with a brutally honest account of just how hard the past year and a half has been on him. If you’re looking for a little perspective, and even if you’re not, it deserves a read.

You have to appreciate his willingness to be open with what he’s going through right now. It’s not always easy to do that in private, let alone to the public, but there’s no doubt in my mind that many other artists, and even many of us, might be experiencing the same things.

Whether you’re the fiddle player for one of the best bands in country music, or a restaurant owner with no ability to seat customers, the struggle of losing your job and losing money is universal. Like Kyle said, as much as you want to be positive, it’s incredibly difficult right now. And who really knows how much longer it will last… I don’t have the answers, but I do know that this is not sustainable.

To echo Kyle, I’m hoping I see the light as well. I’m hoping.

In the meantime, check out Kyle’s album Lightning on the Mountain & Other Short Stories.

“Lightning on the Mountain” 

“Josephine”

“Shelby ’65”

 

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