Frustrating time for Kenny Craig as pandemic hits music industry
A Black Country musician has been left counting the cost of coronavirus after losing out on gigs at home and abroad.
Kenny Craig, a musician of more than 30 years, said the industry had been hit hard.
Mr Craig, from Sedgley, believes artists such as himself won't get back to normal until at least September.
He also suffered personally during the pandemic, revealing his elder brother Roy died in February.
He told the Express & Star: "I think everybody is a bit frustrated, the industry has been hammered with all of the venues being closed.
"I have had a lot of work cancelled because of the venues are closed.
"Even if we did anything, you can't get any people in because of the social-distancing.
"It has been very difficult to do any sort of work really.
"It is frustrating, so I have been rehearsing a lot at home everyday, just to keep my hand in, that is all that you can do really.
"I have had gigs cancelled at home and abroad. Yes, I usually go to Malta in July and Tenerife or the Canary Islands in Christmas or New Year, but I couldn't go because of the pandemic.
"Once again, all the hotels were closed until March of this year.
"I would say it would be nearer to September before things get back to normal.
"It is very difficult to exactly say because if we get another spike again, and it spreads, we could be having another lockdown. Who knows.
"I lost my brother Roy with the pandemic. He died in February. What can you do? It is part of life.
"When these things come along, people panic and they don't know what to do."
He added: "I wish all my fellow artists all the best."
