We get a bunch of emails about people doing good things out there, mostly musicians playing shows to raise money for different causes. There are a few events coming up that I feel people should know about that will be helping Nashville and the Gulf areas.
Just a week after Bonnaroo, in Nashville, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have put together Nashville Rising, a fundraising gig that looks pretty awesome. It’s pretty centered towards country music (which makes sense because it’s Nashville) but Lynyrd Skynyrd will be there for those who need some classic rock. Lotta stuff for the kiddies too, including Miley and Ms. Swift. You can find more info at www.cfmt.org
This morn I got an email from the folks that are putting on the Hangout Music Festival on the gulf shore of Alabama. They’ve pledged to donate all profits from the festival to regional coastal cleanup and preservation. That’s a big deal. They’re putting on a kick-ass festival with tons of top-tier talent (Trey, Ben Harper, Black Crowes, Alison Kraus, John Legend, Roots, Sprearhead, ++), investing gobs of money to make the festival possible and then donating everything. Can you even imagine how time and work goes into a festival for 30-50,000 people? On top of that they’ve teamed up with Stephen Rehage, who produces Voodoo Experience, for a one day fund-raising event in New Orleans on the last day of Hangout Festival. Many bands that play on Friday and Saturday will travel east to play Hangout Concert for the Coast in New Orleans. You can find out more details at www.hangoutmusicfest.com.
I’m happy to be a part of an industry that cares and finds ways to give back when and where they can. Now if we could only zip over there from California to give everyone free ice cream. We’re hoping to help a bit in Nashville before Bonnaroo. If anyone has any ideas or recommendations, let us know
