Since the pandemic began last March, Strickland has cut something of a “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington” figure, fiercely advocating for the industry, sending out daily updates on the progress and challenges facing the industry and meeting with Senators and Congressional representatives. On Dec. 15, he testified on Capitol Hill at a hearing entitled “Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on the Live Event Entertainment Industry” overseen by the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection in which he spoke of the great need facing the entire live industry. Michael Strickland“The independents venues, promoters and managers make up only a portion of the live industry,” Strickland told