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"Starting out in the music business at 16 years old I was performing as many as seven nights a week seven sets a night in smoky bars. I learned very quickly that my decision not to smoke was a very smart one. However, suffering the consequences of working in a smoke- filled environment was not something that I relished. Having had glaucoma all my life the effects of secondhand smoke on my eyes, not to mention my vocal cords and lungs has been difficult at times to say the least. I will continue to use my voice to speak out against venues that continue to allow smoking."
Ellis Hall
Marie Gregorio-Oviedo, Photographer
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"I really feel I can do my best work when the air is clean making it easier to sing and for long pure notes to ring out without being stifled and cut short by a smokey atmosphere. Thank you to Billboard Live Tokyo for this photo and for not allowing smoking at their venue."
Julia Fordham
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“Playing music in a smoke free
environment has added years
onto my music by way of
keeping the air clear which
keeps my lungs clear.”
Craig Klein
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“Smoking just seems so out of style these days. I mean, how uncool it is to consciously know what level of poison these things are on, yet continue to blow smoke everywhere. I mean, you’re taking away my right to oxygen... and that is just the uncoolest.”
Branjae
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"Keep live music alive in a smoke free environment!"
Deacon John Moore
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"No one should have to tolerate a smoking environment for any reason. This includes the performers up there working, the audience and fans wanting to hear them and any crew providing the technical, audio and lighting support to make the show happen. Here's to a smoke free musical experience for all!"
LENISE BENT
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“Having been a heavy smoker
in the past I realize the
irrefutable damage it can do not
only to oneself, but to
nonsmokers as well. Our
musicians and fans need to
be protected from secondhand
smoke. This is a health equity
issue – everyone needs to
breathe! I find it alarming
that more music cities aren’t
already smokefree. What’s
going on Atlanta, Nashville,
Las Vegas? It’s time for all
cities to go smokefree!”
Al Bell
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“As a frequent touring musician, singing in a
smokefree venue is an absolute must. Smoke, of
course, affects my lungs and breathing, and irritates
my voice. We pay the price... but so does the audience,
as they don’t get our very best performance.”
Janet Robin
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“As a musician I want to be present and feel connected
to my environment. Playing in smoky clubs and casinos
is an unwelcomed distraction and, more importantly, an
unhealthy place for any musician. I’m glad to be a
voice in support of smokefree air for everyone.”
JESSIE BRIDGES
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“As a vocalist, performing
in a smokefree
environment is essential
to sustaining my voice!
I have been blessed to
have traveled the world,
singing in various
cities ... It’s always a joy
to step onto a stage where
the air is clean and free
of smoke! It’s good for our
planet - it’s good for
our lives!”
TERRY STEELE
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"Living in Los Angeles, I automatically assume that
a venue will be smokefree. If I walk into a venue
where it isn’t I feel assaulted by the air. The smoke
gets into my jeans, my hair, my eyes, my lungs, my
mood! Sadly, I don’t think I could stay."
Shelly Peiken
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"Smokefree shows make the job
easier and more enjoyable because
I can breathe. Breathing is important
for singers horn players, bartenders,
servers and tech crew because if we
can’t breathe we can’t do our jobs,
whatever your job is in the venue.
I play around the world and it is rare to
walk into venues that allow smoking,
it is always a jarring memory of a
less civilized time. I’m grateful for
smoke free music."
Paul Sanchez
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"The dangers of second
and thirdhand smoke are
very well documented.
It’s just not possible
for me to perform in a
smoke filled atmosphere.
Aside from the health risks
and the uncomfortable vocal
experience, it’s just never
a pleasant experience when
you return home and your
clothes and equipment
are destroyed with
the smell of smoke."
EAMONN MCCRYSTAL
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"Our voices help us share our
stories and smoke filled venues
make it hard for us to do just
that. We must breathe clean air
to perform at our best. Not to
mention, secondhand smoke is
a serious threat to our bodies
and everyone in the audience!"
me&you
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"A smoke-free venue is just as important to the musicians
as it is to the audience. It creates a safe, clean environment
for all, and it's important we lead the way in setting the
precedent for a healthier world for the generations to come."
CHLOË AGNEW
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“Smoking in venues is a
deadly proposition. Many
talented people have died
as a result of secondhand
smoke. I was recently at
my own performance and
stepped outdoors for some
fresh air, but what I got
instead was a mouthful of
secondhand smoke. This
one unfortunate incident
rendered me bedridden for
two weeks. Smoking should
be outlawed— it is a poison
that surely kills!”
Kaylene Peoples
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“I tried smoking cigarettes once because I wanted that gruff sound
like Wilson Pickett, but after 2 weeks, I quit, and it’s a blessing I
didn’t get hooked. I still work in places around the USA where
there is smoke, like casinos and other venues. I usually have red
eyes, and I start coughing so I would love to perform in
smokefree environments.”
Lenny Williams
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“Let’s clear the air...smokefree venues help me to live well and
sing about it! I support Smokefree Music Cities. Won’t You?"
Yvette Landry
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“When delivering a musical performance I feel it is paramount
for the audience to have the best experience possible!
That includes a smokefree environment that isn’t toxic to their
health, or mine. I proudly lend my voice to support smokefree
performance spaces and work environments.”
Eric Adcock
Photo Credit: LeeAnn B. Stephan Photography
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"Every time I play in a concert hall, club or recording studio
that is smokefree - which is 99% of the time now - I am
grateful to everyone who relentlessly fought this battle for
both performers and audiences. I was around when things
were very different and really appreciate the positive change."
Josh Sklair
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“I want to leave a longer music Legacy to my family and fans
than my father Zydeco Legend Roy Carrier was able to leave
to me. He had to play in smoky places all of his career. And
he suffered for it. Smokefree is a way to give me and my fans
a longer life filled with music.”
Chubby Carrier
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“I am the official music ambassador of Macon, Georgia. We have
big things going on in Atlanta. We want to have smokefree
environments for our entertainment, the health of our citizens, the
health of the children. and the health of the people who participate
in all these amazing things we are doing.”
Joey Stuckey
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“It is not possible to perform at
my best, unless my lungs are
strong and clear. Every stage I
step onto is my office, no
matter the size of the venue.
If you are a true supporter
of the musical arts, insisting
on a smoke free environment
is one of the most important
ways you can support the
longevity and health of the
artists you love! And you will be
supporting your own health at the
same time! And your health, the
FAN, is absolutely vital to us,
the ARTISTS!”
Ken Stacey
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“When I first started playing in rock clubs, I used to see the crowd through
a haze of low hanging cigarette smoke. By the end of the night, not only
did my clothes, instrument and gear all reek of cigarettes, but my eyes and
lungs would hurt for days. Let’s help to make smoky clubs go the way of
my old 4 track cassette recorder and become a relic from an earlier, less
advanced era.”
Tracy Silverman
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"As a singer, there’s nothing worse
than entering a club or casino and
being confronted by that dreadful
smell of cigarette smoke. It can
often be a make or break in terms of
a good performance. Second hand
smoke should play no part in the
workplace of a professional musician."
Rob Bonfiglio
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“Playing in smoke filled venues in the 70’s and 80’s gave me a hacking cough
and triggered Asthma. Since most venues have gone smokeless my breathing
is better and my overall health has improved.”
Jennifer Leitham
-
"As an artist who doesn't smoke, but has been around many smokers, I can
now see and feel the difference between a smoke-free environment and a
smoking environment. Because smoking affects everyone’s health (yours,
mine, ours!), I think we should help create a smoke-free environment for us all.
It not only affects our voices, but our health and our children’s health.
Without second-hand smoke, we'll all experience longer healthier living!"
Ronee Martin
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"After a gig in a venue full of 2nd hand smoke my throat is irritated, sinuses
are inflamed, and eyes are burning.... That can't be good for my voice."
Sean Ardoin
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"Smoke-free venues give me peace of mind that my vocal chords will still be
working by the end of the show. The times I have played in smoking venues,
the second hand smoke has affected my vocals for a day or two afterwards,
which is never a good thing for a professional vocalist. I'd love to see Tulsa
become a smoke-free venue music city!"
Casii Stephan
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“As someone with asthma, it is hard for me to play gigs in smokey bars.
I end up using my inhaler towards the end of the night. There were tours
where I would go back to back in clubs with smoke and lucky now that many
of those clubs are now non-smoking.”
Eric Himan
