A new program expands healthcare options for working musicians who often don’t have health insurance and aren't able to see a doctor.
Sheldon Rosevear takes the stage each Sunday at Conor Byrne Irish pub in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. It’s just one of his weekly gigs, which includes singing at private events and Seattle parks.
It’s not easy to pay the bills with music notes, and even a single doctor’s office visit can be a burden.
“I have an appointment in March, and I know that that's going to be just under a week's worth of income for me,” said Rosevear.
But now there's a new safety net for musicians like him. A non-profit called Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare (SMASH) will pay for at least one annual clinic visit as well as bloodwork.
SMASH also provided Rosevear with a pair of custom earplugs, which protect his hearing while he's on stage.
“I use these almost daily,” he said.
The hearing protection effort launched two years ago and has given free hearing tests and earplugs to dozens of Seattle musicians.
“One of the most fundamental problems all musicians deal with is hearing loss, and you don't often realize that until it's too late,” said Ian Moore, who founded SMASH.
Moore, who has toured with the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, modeled SMASH off a similar group in Austin, which provides a wide range of medical services to musicians.
He says his organization plans to offer even more services in the coming months as funding from private donors and corporate partnerships increases.
“They’re angels,” said Rosevear.