Talk about catching a brake.
Taylor Swift recently gave a reported $55 million in bonuses to people working on her Eras tour, including $100,000 to truck drivers hauling equipment from city to city. And as Mike Scherkenbach, who runs the concert transportation company Shomotion and who has worked on three of Swift's stadium tours, recently noted, the gesture is nothing short of enchanting.
"She's giving a sum of money that is life-changing for these people," Scherkenbach told Rolling Stone in an article published Aug. 3. "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. That generosity is a game changer for these people."
Shomotion and another company, Upstaging Inc., are both in charge of transporting Swift's equipment, including parts of the stage, lights, guitars, microphones and speakers, according to USA Today.
Scherkenbach further praised the generosity of the pop star, noting that the bonus is not only unprecedented but 10 times the normal amount. "There are a lot of very wealthy people who choose not to share a dime of it," he explained. "We work with all kinds of wealthy people, but this is not the norm."
While Swift herself did not present the bonus checks to the drivers, Scherkenbach revealed to Today that a person very close to her did: her dad Scott. And that was not the only thing she gifted them.
"He presented handwritten letters from Taylor," he added. "It's incredible that they would take that time, and what it means to our staff to be recognized."
Swift began her Eras tour in March. According to trade publication Pollstar, the entire tour has so far generated an estimated $300 million in gross revenue. On Aug. 3, Swift announced new North American concert dates for next year.
"Turns out it's NOT the end of an era," read a message posted on her Instagram. "Miami, New Orleans, Indy and Toronto: The Eras Tour is coming to you in 2024 with @gracieabrams!"