Country star Dierks Bentley says he gave employees of his Nashville restaurant $1,000 U.S. each after it was forced to close temporarily in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.
“My heart goes out to all the guys/girls down on Lower Broad,” he wrote on social media, referring to those who work on the city’s Lower Broadway strip. “Feels like yesterday that it was me down there working for tips.”
Bentley’s Whiskey Row is among the businesses ordered closed by local officials.
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“I am going to immediately give each of our 90 hourly employees $1000 to help in the short run as our community and country try to get a handle on the situation,” the singer explained.
Bentley urged other bar and restaurant owners to “take care of their bartenders, bar backs, waitresses, security, dishwashers etc. the best they can.”
He added: “Let’s make sure we help the folks that help make the music happen.”
#nashville pic.twitter.com/IxPchfILi3
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) March 16, 2020