It takes a village to mount a Taylor Swift concert. Here’s how the world class star shows her gratitude.
As the United States leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour comes to a close (until she returns late next year), the singer gave out massive bonuses to her entire crew including dancers, riggers, sound technicians, caterers, and other production staff.
People reported that the bonuses totaled over $55 million. Even the 50-plus trucking crew, who have been hauling all the tour equipment from city to city, have received $100,000 each.
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“Her father was the one that actually presented the checks to our drivers,” Shomotion trucking company’s CEO Mike Scherkenbach told Today. The singer also gave each of the drivers handwritten letters, stating the amount of the bonus and recognizing their important role in the tour.
An example of generosity
Rolling Stone also reached out to Scherkenbach who said that Swift’s “generosity is a game changer” for them. “She’s giving a sum of money that is life-changing for these people. A lot of these drivers are not homeowners, and a lump sum like this gives you the ability to put a down payment on a home. That’s what makes me really happy.”
According to the CEO, most artists around the same level as Swift usually give drivers $5,000 to $10,000 extra, which makes her bonus 10 times the norm.
He also noted that the singer has always recognized her whole crew. In the Reputation Tour documentary, all the drivers were listed in the credits. “To put the drivers’ names in the movie credits? That shows the character of a person.”
Aside from the bonuses, Swift has also been donating money during her tour. While she was in Northern California last week, Second Harvest Food Bank received a donation from the singer.
“Having somebody like Taylor reach out and inspire others with her gift really is just such a breath of fresh air,” Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, told Today.
Over the next few days, Swift will be ending her North American tour (for now) with six shows in Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. Her international tour kicks off in Mexico later this month and will continue in South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe through 2024.
Banner image via Twitter @taylorswift13.
