"Concert For a Cause 8: The Album" CD-release party, The Woodlands (Route 315, Plains Twp.), 9 p.m. CD $5, available at all Gallery of Sound stores. Info: www.concertforacausenepa.com, facebook.com/concertforacause
by Alan K. StoutMusic Columnist
On Thursday, the new “Concert For A Cause 8” CD hits all Gallery of Sound stores. It features 27 songs, it comes as a double-disc set, and, as always, it will sell for only $5. And the best part is that all money raised from the CD — every dime — will aid United Way Veterans Programs and will help both older United States veterans and those now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The CD offers songs from Bret Alexander of The Badlees, The SilenTreatment, Panacea, Underground Saints, Fighting Zero, OurAfter, Days Before Tomorrow, Lemongelli, Miz, Shawn Z., George Wesley, The Five Percent, Jeanne Zano, Plus 3, Charles Havira, k8, Brian Langan of The Sw!ms, 40-Lb. Head, Nicole Erin Carey, Lessen One, Graces Downfall, Ashfall, Destination West and Absolution. I’ve also kicked in a cover of John Mellencamp’s 1993 gem, “What If I Came Knocking,” which features members of The Badlees, Lemongelli, Panacea, M-80 and Underground Saints.
In addition to being jam-packed with music, the new CFC 8 album is also quite diverse. It includes pop music, roots rock, country, reggae, modern rock and metal. Some of the songs were pulled from the CDs of the artists that appear on the album, while several others were recorded specifically for this record. All of the artists donated the songs at no cost in hopes of raising funds for United Way Veterans Programs.
I know I’ve said this before, but all say it again: The annual CFC album not only raises money for a great cause, but it also serves as a fine showcase for the musical talent we have here in NEPA. If you’re someone that has always enjoyed the local music scene, this CD is clearly for you. And if you’re someone that’s always been curious about the local music scene but don’t know much about the type of music and talent that’s out there, this is a very inexpensive way to find out. Think about it: 27 songs for $5 bucks. That’s about 18 cents per song. And you’re helping people that have served in the United States armed services.
The “Concert For A Cause 8” CD is also very iPod accessible. The names of the bands and the songs come up as soon as you rip the tracks, so you can easily drop the CD onto your iPod and know what bands and songs you’re listening to. And exactly how will CFC 8 help veterans?
Two ways:
1.) Both the CFC 8 show and album will help subsidize a special program, which is run through the Commission on Economic Opportunity, that helps local veterans in need. Unfortunately, there are actually local people that served in the United States military that are homeless. The CEO program helps get them shelter, vocational training, medical treatment and counseling. Fortunately, most of these needs are met by Veterans Affairs, but there are some important elements that fall through the cracks, including things such as simply providing transportation to such services. That’s where CFC 8 will help. The United Way will set up a special fund which will provide additional assistance to this program.
2.) In addition to helping veterans that have served in the past, CFC 8 will also help those serving today in Iraq and Afghanistan. In April, at the “Concert for A Cause 8” event, the show will be used as a collection point for items that will be sent over to our troops serving in the Middle East. As we get closer to the show, we’ll be reminding those coming to the concert to bring something to include in special care packets, and we’ll specify what type items are needed most. We’ll then be using money raised from both the show and the CD to help cover the shipping costs.
In celebration of the release of this special album, we’ll be holding a CD-listening party on Thursday, Feb. 4, at The Woodlands. We’ll be cranking up the CD through the deluxe sound system, bands that appear on the CD will be on hand and there will be a CFC video slideshow to accompany the music.
“Concert For A Cause 8” will take place on Thursday, April 22 at The Woodlands. In addition to the artists that appear on the CD, the show will also feature performances by Bad Hair Day, Go-Go Gadjet, Iron Cowboy, Farmer’s Daughter, Flaxy Morgan, M-80, Bliss and Tribes. Sponsors of the event include the Weekender, The Times Leader, 97.9 X, 97BHT, WBRE, WYOU, WNEP, Rock Street Music, Gallery of Sound, Bedwick & Jones Printing, Fleet Decal & Graphics, The Woodlands Inn & Resort, Coors Light, Cinram Manufacturing and the United Way of Wyoming Valley. Contributing specifically to the launch of the CFC 8 album are Saturation Acres Recording Studio and Anti Rust Records.
The “Concert For A Cause 8” CD will be available for a limited time only, and only 1,000 copies have been pressed. It is available now at all Gallery of Sound stores and on its Web site at www.galleryofsound.com.
27 songs.
$5.
Helping those that have already done so much to help us: Our veterans.
Hope you decide to pick up a copy.
w
