'Music and Chill' hopes to help musicians, businesses affected by coronavirus quarantine

Local restaurants and musicians are teaming up on a weekly basis for a project called “Music and Chill” with the hopes of helping businesses and musicians whose businesses have struggled since quarantine began in response to COVID-19.

“It’s a Facebook Live video that will livestream each week at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays,” said Lauren Pritchard, nationally-known local artist who’s helping coordinate the effort. “And what we’ll do is have a local artist play a concert at a local restaurant, and the restaurant will livestream it from their page on Facebook. We’ll have a hashtag for it: #TuneInToTakeOut.”

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The restaurants will have specials for drinks and/or appetizers available through the livestream, and there will be virtual tip jars for the musicians available with their cash app account information available for donation.

“This is just a tough time for local restaurants and musicians alike, and we’re trying to see what we can do to help both groups,” Pritchard said.

The first session will be April 14 with Josh Smith playing at Asia Garden. Smith is the lead singer for the local group Reverend Jesse and the Holy Smokes.

“So people can watch through Asia Garden’s Facebook page, and Josh will be physically in the restaurant – away from the food preparation area – playing,” Pritchard said. “The following week will be at Rock N Dough with an artist to be named.”

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at editorbrandon.