Uncovering the Price of Financial Wellness: The Hidden Cost of the Show Must Go On
- Kara Kemp
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
In 2011, a simple fall workshop called Touring Career Workshop was the brain child of Chris Lisle and Erik Parker that was launched as a human resource gathering for the behind-the-scenes backbone of the touring industry: the stagehands, engineers, designers, production managers, and road crew. It was born out of a glaring gap—gig workers operating show to show with little to no safety nets of insurance, financial planning, insight on how to get the next gig. That nonprofit organization has since evolved into ECCHO Live—representing Education, Community, Connection, Health and Opportunity for Live event professionals—expanding its mission and programming in response to one core belief: when we see a need, we address it. And the needs have not been few.
Over the years, ECCHO Live has launched targeted initiatives like All Access, which provides free, confidential counseling and coaching sessions to full-time live event professionals, and All Access On Site, bringing mental health support directly to show and festival sites. Events like Day Off, Networking Nights, and pop-up connection points have built a strong community of care within the touring and live event ecosystem.
This April, as part of Financial Literacy Month, ECCHO Live is diving deeper into one of the most pervasive and least talked about health risks in our industry: financial stress.
The Stress Behind the Stage
While the glamour of the music and live event industry often captures public imagination, the reality behind the stage lights tells a different story. A recent Music Industry Research Association survey found that only 33% of musicians earn all their income from music, and 61% of musicians reported financial stress as their top mental health challenge. Even those with insurance often can’t afford to use it—high deductibles, out-of-network providers, or the simple lack of time or flexibility to access care are daily barriers.
This isn't just a budgeting issue. It’s a health issue.
Financial stress has been directly linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, and burnout. According to the American Psychological Association, money continues to be the top source of stress in the U.S., and in freelance-heavy industries like live entertainment, that stress compounds with each canceled gig, each delayed payment, and each unexpected expense.
What We Know and What We’re Doing
We know that holistic well-being is more than therapy. It’s also about feeling safe, seen, and supported. It's about knowing that when the gigs dry up or life hits hard, there's someone who gets it—who shows up.
At ECCHO Live, we’re proud to be leading the chorus of organizations that are making this mission our daily work since 2011. After 14 years, we hate that we’re still having to fight for mental health support in this industry, but we are so damn proud that people are finally talking about it more. Because you can't fix what you won't name.
Meeting You Where You Are
So here’s our invitation this April: let’s talk about money. Let’s talk about what it's doing to our health, our families, and our ability to show up on the job and in life. Let's rewrite the myth that burnout is just part of the job.
One way to continue the conversation we are excited to invite you to a free, live Financial Wellness Webinar hosted by Rachael Bronstein of Life’s Jam on Monday, April 22 via Zoom.
Rachael is the founder of Life’s Jam, a resource built specifically for touring professionals. As an Accredited Financial Counselor and QuickBooks Pro Advisor, she pairs her business expertise with a love for music to help road warriors live their most efficient and prosperous lives—on and off the bus. Her mission? To give you the set list for financial clarity and confidence.
Date: Monday, April 22🕓 Time: 1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET Register here: Financial Wellness Webinar
We also want to hear from you. If money is causing stress—and let’s be honest, for most of us it is—take our brief, anonymous survey. Your answers will help shape future tools and conversations built specifically for this community. Share your voice with this survey.
Whether you're out on the road, between tours, hustling the gigs on a local level or navigating your next step, ECCHO Live is confidential, simple, and designed to meet you where you are.
We’re sending out the ECCHO—and we hope you’ll call back when you need us.
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