Jason Isbell on COVID vaccine mandates at concerts: No, were not taking away your freedom – AL.com

Alabama native Jason Isbell has been an outspoken advocate for COVID vaccinations, joining other music stars who require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for admission to their concerts.

Isbell, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, announced his policy in early August, as the delta variant surged in the United States, causing case numbers to rise and hospital beds to fill.

I just dont want people to feel like theyre unsafe at a show, Isbell said during an interview with TMZ. And I know we cant guarantee that nobodys going to catch COVID at one of our concerts, but we can take some steps to make it a little more comfortable and a little bit safer for folks. And thats all were trying to do.

Theres been some pushback from folks who oppose so-called vaccine passports, and Isbell has sparred on Twitter with Marc Broussard, a singer-songwriter from Louisiana, over such entry protocols at concerts.

Isbell, 42, remains steadfast in his belief that vaccines save lives, and hes putting his career on the line to prove it. The artist recently canceled an appearance at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, for example, because festival organizers didnt have a policy to screen ticketholders for vaccinations or negative COVID tests at the gates.

Isbell also has said that vaccinations are an important key to reviving the concert industry during the coronavirus pandemic. In a recent interview with Variety, Isbell detailed his stance on vaccinations for a story titled For Those About to Vax: Why Vaccination Proof is Suddenly Becoming a New Standard for Concert Entry.

Here are some excerpts of a Q&A with Isbell posted Thursday on Varietys website:

VARIETY: Generally in the music business, things go well when its actually musicians leading the way. Now were seeing AEG, Live Nation and other promoters and venues taking a stand with vaccination policies. Do you think yourself and other artists helped instigate this by drawing a line?

ISBELL: You know, maybe so, but I dont know that thats important. I know there were other people doing it before I did. And if me speaking out about it and putting these restrictions in place helps some people feel more confident about doing it themselves, thats a great thing. But its not something that Im going to take any kind of credit for. I feel like some of us saw the exit, and the building was on fire, and now we are trying to talk everyone into following us to the exit so we dont get burned. Its pretty much as simple as that. And also, I just dont think that our business is going to be able to continue this way unless we put some restrictions in place. I know my crew and my band might not be able to withstand another shutdown, and I think a lot of people are in that same situation. So Im just happy that its happening and that people are getting on board. I dont necessarily need to feel like Im leading the way.

VARIETY: In terms of the practicality of making these policies work, probably anybody who really wants to get into a show can, because you can fake vaccine cards, or we hear that people whove even been to your shows recently have seen people at the door just barely glancing at whatever proof people are putting out. Its not this incredibly rigorous process that you have to pass to get in, so far.

ISBELL: Yeah. But you know, you can drive drunk if you want to, and you might not get caught, but you might run over somebodys kid. So I think its still a good idea that we make it illegal to drive drunk. You know, were doing what we can. The practicality of it really just doesnt matter to me at all, because its what needs to be done.

VARIETY: Its hard to figure out right now which states have different laws that affect this. AEG made its statement about their new policy and it had the asterisk except in states where prohibited. A few states have laws now against any kind of vaccine policy from any business, but then others just have it where any venue that receives money from the state cant do it. And it seems like you ran into a problem with one of your venues that receives state funding and said thats why they couldnt do it.

ISBELL: Yes. Its hard to know at this point, because even in some states where those venues are under threat, were still going through with it. And I expect that there is a chance that well be playing a lot more venues that are completely self-sufficient in these states, places that dont need state funding. Thats just an assumption. I mean, it is going to require more logistical work from our standpoint, and at some point it might take some legal fees. I might even have to pay some lawyers. But I like my lawyers, and Ill do whatever I need to do.

Its gonna separate the venues in some situations. But none of that is really even worth considering. I mean, whatever needs to be done, well do it. Its better to do a little bit of extra logistical work and try to figure out where we can play and when than it is to not be able to work at all. I know my tour managers would much rather be trying to sort out whether or not we can play at a particular venue than just sitting at home trying to figure out how much longer theyre going to get paid before we can go back on the road because were headed for another shutdown if we dont do this. Its just as simple as that. Its not going to be possible for us to just ignore the delta variant and go on about our business. This is really the only way forward.

(NOTE: Alabama has a law intended to block the use of so-called vaccine passports, or any attempt by businesses to refuse service to people based on their immunization status. The law has yet to be tested in court. It also specifies no penalties for violations. At least one educational institution in Alabama, Birmingham Southern College, has implemented an apparent workaround. So has Furnace Fest, a music festival set for Sept. 24-26 at Birminghams Sloss Furnaces.)

RELATED: Alabama music festival to require negative COVID tests for unvaccinated ticketholders

VARIETY: Probably nobody wants this to be a deal where suddenly it turns out like the blue states are the have states, and the red states become the have-nots.

ISBELL: If it turns out that way, it will very much be a shame. But I would think maybe you would look at that and say, Well, theres a reason that happened. And if we want concerts in our state, maybe we should vote with that in mind next time around. You know, Im not doing this for that purpose, but when everybody has to show their hand ... then you start seeing which politicians are looking out for your better interests and which ones arent. And if this becomes something thats divided along political lines in that particular way, its going to be pretty obvious which politicians care about the health and the economic health of their states and which ones dont.

VARIETY: As far as your home state of Alabama, it sounds like you probably dont really know for sure how things will pan out for your festival, ShoalsFest, in October.

ISBELL: Um, were going to do it at my festival. Yeah. Its going to be all right for my festival. I just found out earlier today.

VARIETY: So they dont have anything in place that would prohibit that?

ISBELL: Who knows? Who knows, but I dont think theyre going to stand up to me on it. Im bringing a lot of money into that state that weekend.

(NOTE: Isbells tour itinerary includes four concerts in Alabama: Sept. 3 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, Sept. 11 at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham, Oct. 2-3 at ShoalsFest in Florence and Oct. 7 at Mobiles Saenger Theatre. ShoalsFest has announced an entry policy that requires proof of a negative COVID test for all unvaccinated festivalgoers. Its unclear how Isbells admission requirements will affect the other shows.)

VARIETY: (Vaccine opponents) position not being allowed to come to the show as a violation of freedom of choice.

ISBELL: Were adding choices. No, were not taking away your freedom. Were giving you an opportunity to choose. You could choose to stay ... at home, and then youll be free, and alone. The constitution guarantees freedom in a lot of situations, but it doesnt guarantee somebody elses company. Theres no guard against loneliness, so good luck with that.

See original here:

Jason Isbell on COVID vaccine mandates at concerts: No, were not taking away your freedom - AL.com