Music and Community

STRIKE A CHORD CONCERTS FOR CHARITY

                          Music Can Make a Difference…

Concert Helps Raise Money for School on Wheels of Massachusetts

Strike a Chord Concerts for Charity helped raise $2,500 August 9 for School of Wheels on Massachusetts (SoW), which provides academic support and advocacy for children experiencing homelessness. School on Wheels (www.sowma.org), a nonprofit organization founded by Cheryl Opper of Easton, has served more than 400 homeless children in Eastern Massachusetts since 2004 by providing one-on-one after school tutoring, school supplies, parent workshops, read aloud programs, and school advocacy.

“I’ll Be The One,” music and lyrics & lead vocals by Ruthann Baler for School on Wheels; Produced by Tom Tincler at TinWolf Studios. All instruments & backup vocals by Tom. Backup harmony written and performed by Kim Jennings.  

The concert was held at the Oliver Ames High School auditorium, 100 Lothrop Street, North Easton, Mass.  A second benefit concert is tentatively being planned for May 2009. Musicians from the Greater Boston area came out to  perform acoustic rock, blues, folk, and country, and included longtime acoustic blues/folk musician Phil Kissinger and:

John Boehmer - www.brightfishmusic.com

Dan Cloutier - www.myspace.com/dancloutiermusic 

Tom Driscoll - www.myspace.com/tomdriscollsongs

Katie Frassinelli - http://www.myspace.com/katiefrassinelli

Kim Jennings - www.myspace.com/kimberleyjennings

Susan Levine - www.susanjlevine.com

Michael Rivelis - www.myspace.com/sunsetstudiosma

Spencer Ryan - www.myspace.com/spencerryanmusic

Rob Siegel - www.robsiegel.com

Andrea Surova - www.rainbowinacage.com

Tom Tincler - www.tinwolf.com

Lawrence Johnson of Sharon, Mass., an award-winning educator, Harvard Fellow, and spoken word artist, read a poem he wrote for the event.

Read about the New England Patriots supporting School on Wheels:  http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=GeneralNewsDetail&pcid=45&pid=32560

For more information about how to help School on Wheels, contact Cheryl Opper at 508-238-9091 or cheryl@sowma.org.  

In 2007, nearly 30 musicians performed in four benefits to raise money for weekly care packages being sent to local troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. With more than $5,000 raised, we have learned that people will come out to hear great music for a great cause. We appreciate the many musicians who have come together to offer their talents and help make a difference in our communities.   To hear music from all the artists who performed in last year’s benefits, please visit Support our Troops.  Read about the April 5 Concert in the Boston Globe West online article.

Read about The Liat Chanina Foundation, which strives to encourage the ongoing work of finding a cure for pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers… 

Ruthann’s Music

Ruthann is a singer-songwriter who has performed at area benefits and on the open mic circuit throughout the South Shore and Metrowest communities at various coffeehouses and venues.  She is currently working on a CD of original songs at TinWolf Studios in Walpole. In June 2007, Ruthann wrote ”I’ll Carry You,” based on a CNN article about a soldier in Iraq whose friend was killed by a roadside bomb. The song, written from the  solider’s perspective, was recorded and produced by Tom Tincler at TinWolf Studios. 

Some favorite links: