Following the successful response to TPi Awards’ first-ever sober table last year, Roadies in Recovery enlisted the support of key industry names to raise the funds for multiple sober tables, allowing those in recovery to network safely.
“I’d just wrapped up a tour with Duran Duran and wanted to get the ball rolling with another year of fundraising,” Roadies in Recovery’s Joanne Croxford began, recalling a conversation with Amanda Thomson of AM Touring, who suggested enlisting the support of industry suppliers. “Having private funders and supporters is awesome, however, there is so much responsibility that the wider industry should take.”
The long list of supporters included AM Touring, Beat The Street and Phoenix Bussing, Cath Roberts, Chapman Freeborn, Christie Lites, KB Event, Mathew Kushner, Music First Partnership (MFP), Nick Gosling, Nighthawk Video, Rock-It Cargo, Simon Le Bon, Suzi Green, and Wob Roberts, among others. “They are dear friends and were instantly forthcoming with their encouragement and backing,” Thomson stated, proudly.
In an industry where socialising has historically centred around substances, the TPi Awards can be a daunting prospect. KB Event’s Stuart Macpherson elaborated: “Anything we can do to help people in recovery feel part of what is a very inclusive and caring community can only help. The fear of a slip or relapse can drive people to isolate, which is very dangerous for someone in recovery. Offering a safe environment where they feel included and welcome is so important, and we urge others to get involved if they can.”
MFP’s Dan Horton added: “Roadies in Recovery struck a chord with us. Until recently, there was little advertised or publicised help for those on the road, so it’s important we keep resources like these at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”
US-based visa specialist Mathew Kushner – who recently celebrated two decades in recovery – first discovered Roadies in Recovery amid the pandemic. “There’s something special about people uniting as a community,” he said. “There are thousands of us in the industry that are in recovery, but it doesn’t get spoken about a lot. Initiatives like this, which have changed and enriched my life, should be highlighted.”
Rock-it Cargo’s Chris Palmer believes the industry has a responsibility to support its workforce. “It’s important that these subjects are discussed openly and given a platform – and the TPi Awards is the perfect place to shout about Roadies in Recovery,” he said. “We will continue to support Roadies in Recovery and give back to our beloved industry.”
Suzi Green who hosts The BACK LOUNGE – a weekly gathering of live music personnel on Zoom, said: “I’m honoured to be a part of the Roadies in Recovery’s sober tables and raise awareness about addiction, which is rife in our industry, and how we can all play a part to support recovery. Joanne Croxford is a massive supporter and inspiration for our community. Roadies in Recovery have shared their insights with us as guests several times, including a session on dispelling some of the myths as to what 12 step means – which we recorded as a resource and is available to watch back.”
Encouraging sobriety in a fast-paced industry is both “rewarding” and “challenging” due to the “pervasive culture of excess,” notes Nighthawk Video’s Todd LePere. “As a vendor committed to the industry’s growth, prioritising sobriety is essential for long-term success, mental well-being, and a sustainable, inclusive culture for our crews, clients, and industry as a whole moving forward,” he stated.
Beat The Street’s Ian Massey echoed: “This is an inclusive industry, and everybody should feel welcome and be able to congregate without any external pressures. We’re proud to back industry-wide initiatives that make people feel more welcome and accounted for.”
Duran Duran frontman, Simon Le Bon, was among the notable private donors. Cath Roberts, Tour Manager for Duran Duran, added: “The sober tables at the TPi Awards act as a reminder to the touring world that every one of us has a part to play in helping to keep our friends and colleagues safe and healthy at work and in life. And that resources such as Roadies in Recovery are available and provide vital support to those who access them.”
Once the team had met their fundraising goal for one sober table, Chapman Freeborn stepped in to host a secondary sober table. Chapman Freeborn’s Paul Kindred commented: “In the same way that we provide a personalised experience on our flights, the sober tables also created a tailored experience for those who need it. We couldn’t be prouder to have helped open the TPi Awards to those in recovery – promoting visibility and inclusivity across the industry, while giving them a safe place in a room that they deserved to be in.”
Christie Lites further provided a third table for people to network freely. Christie Lites’ Roy Hunt said: “It’s vital that the community across all levels in the industry has a support network that’s sole focus is to support and help one another. We encourage more people from the industry to get involved and be a part of changing attitudes.”
On the topic of visibility, Croxford added: “There shouldn’t be a barrier for inclusion and representation is everything. Many of our supporters don’t live sober lifestyles but want to support what we’re doing, and it’s those pioneers that are showing others that it’s OK to talk about this and the shroud of stigma is being lifted because of representation.”
Nile Rodgers and Chic’s Production Manager, Nick Gosling, who pledged his support as an ally, added: “It’s important that everyone in the community feels welcome and that the signature awards show for the industry is for everybody,” he said.
Production Manager, Wob Roberts further underlined the value of a support network: “Supporting those in recovery is critical in changing perceptions of what it means to congregate and network as an industry to overcome societal stigmas,” he said. “Encouraging those in recovery or who feel like the TPi Awards isn’t for them as someone who wants to attend sober can only be a positive step forward for the industry.”
Despite this outpouring of affection, Croxford is aware that there is still work to be done. “The TPi Awards is a celebration of all our achievements, and we never get together so it’s important everyone feels included. We had a 12-step meeting online beforehand, which is important because there are people on different parts of their journey, who couldn’t physically attend – but felt like they were closer to us, which is vital to recovery,” she explained.
Additionally, the collective met outside the event and walked in together. “There’s such power in safety in numbers and it’s palpable when the first thing you experience upon entry is the bar and tables and tables of people drinking,” she added. “It’s important to support people in that space. I can tell by the enthusiasm from suppliers and supporters this is a shift that there needs to be a space for people to network without external pressures. It’s because of them we were able to hold that space.”
So, are perceptions shifting? Croxford is positive: “It feels like because there is more awareness and attention on sobriety, and I am noticing incremental change. Culturally, there is a relationship in the UK with alcohol that nobody else has. I hope that changes for the better and certainly initiatives like this are evidence things are changing.”
Swarmed with messages of support, Croxford was proud that instead of just having a seat at the table this year, it felt like the collective had their own space to network: “It’s a beautiful feeling to be able to walk into a room and know you’ve got your space. We feel like we came home, and table 126 is forever going to be the sober table at the TPi Awards. Fundamentally, we felt supported, appreciated, recognised and celebrated as members of the community.”
Words: Jacob Waite
Photos: Joe Okpako
