Benefit Concert

[John Musselwhite]

Hi Folks.

On Monday night the Canadian Country Music awards were held in Calgary, 
with many well-known performers here to participate. Most were scheduled to 
return to Eastern Canada and Nashville on Tuesday morning, and stood in 
shock with the whole world while they watched the tragedy in New York 
unfold.  They were among the millions of others everywhere in North America 
who had to seek shelter somewhere far from home, desperately wanting to do 
something to help.

Twenty-four hours after the disaster began, actor and singer-songwriter Tom 
Jackson along with other members of the Canadian Country Music Association 
started making phone calls, including one to me, in an effort to put on a 
benefit concert that night starting at 7:30. The Jubilee Auditorium and 
staff, the IATSE members who man the stage, about 50 musicians, singers and 
songwriters and even the piano tuner banded together to put on an impromptu 
show. Admission to the 2,750 seat concert hall 
(http://www.saja.com/southern where I service the pianos) was free, with 
donations going to the Canadian Red Cross to aid in US relief. For the full 
story, please go to 
http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/story.asp?id={5EE14DF8-D15C-4A64 
-92B0-A5AF97AFDBB3}

(I hope that link comes out... if not, see 
http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/  and look for the story called 
"Country Stars Sing From The Heart" by Heath McCoy)

At last report the benefit concert raised about $64,000 CDN with more still 
coming in.  Calgary native and now Nashville resident Paul Brandt donated 
two of his guitars, which were auctioned off for a total of $12,500.

On a related note, I've placed a banner on my WWW site that allows you to 
make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund through 
amazon.com. So far they have collected more than 4 million dollars. If 
anyone wants to put one on their site email me and I'll tell you how to add it.

God Bless America and the World.

		John


John Musselwhite, RPT    -     Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.musselwhite.com  http://canadianpianopage.com/calgary
mailto:john@musselwhite.com    http://www.mp3.com/fatbottom