The House Rocked!

An enthusiastic crowd gathered in the Castle Theater on October 12^th to join Music is the Medicine to “Rock the House for Habitat.”  The performers matched the energy of the crowd who were treated to three and half hours of music. 

Eli Chastain of the Weakenders 

The tone for the night was established by the evening’s first performers, Modern Mod – an up start band from Madison, Wisconsin.  Led by the relentless and inspired drum work of Emma Witmer, each of the five members of the band commanded the stage with a seasoned presence far beyond their years (note that the oldest members of the group are only 17!). 

Local songwriter and one-man-band, Peter Adriel was the next to take the stage.  Peter’s crisp guitar work, clever lyrical prose and crooning vocals filled the theater.  Debuting many songs from his latest CD release – “Hail” – Peter won over many new fans during his fifty-minute set.

Next up was the Young Loves, a group from southern Illinois.  Fitting for a band formed on the campus of Southern Illinois University, the Young Loves gave the crowd all original music that brought many back to the memories of younger days.  With sounds reminiscent of the Violent Femmes and mid-90s REM, the band inspired many to move from the balcony to the front row by the second song of their set.  Capitalized by anthem-like chorus of “Wake Up Teenager”, the band left a very satisfied audience commenting on this relatively unknown quintet. 

The Weakenders closed out the night giving the crowd a classic rock meets progressive rock sound.  Performing original tunes including most of their forthcoming album – “Super Major”, the band from Nashville treated the evening’s faithful to the most polished performance of the night.  Fronted by Eli Chastain, who is also a music producer, the Weakenders had the type of refined sound you expect from a veteran rock band.  Having only been together for the past eighteen months, followers of the band will certainly be treated  to more quality recordings and performances in the days to come.  The band’s only cover song of the night was a brilliant and haunting version of Def Leopard’s “Hysteria” that featured a duet between       

Eli and keyboardist Katie Trotta.   

A great night of music for a great cause! More information on our website at www.musicisthemedicine.org 

                                                          

If I Could Teach the World to Sing

WARNING: This post written by a hopeless idealist!

It seems like every day we wake up to more news of hatred, violence, and discontent in the world.  Senseless shootings, abuse of the weak and vulnerable, and enough daily dishonesty to make even the most idealistic individual lose faith in humanity.  With all of this, it’s easy to be defeated.  It’s easy to be a pedestrian, a passenger in life and resign to the hopelessness of our world.

But does it really have to be this way?

At the risk of being one of those idealistic dreamers (but as Lennon once said, “I’m not the only one”), I have to wonder aloud if hope still has a place in our world.  Is it too naïve to believe in something?  Is it ridiculous to expend the time and effort to do something (anything) to make the world a better place? 

I’m not bold enough to give any answers here.  I’m only asking the questions.  But maybe together we can test this.  Together we can light a candle for hope in the darkness that is our world.

It can start tomorrow. It can start with a small act. 

Instead of putting the change in your pocket, put it the jar in front of the register.  The one with the picture of the sick person you don’t want to look at and don’t want to think about.

Instead of driving by the homeless guy with his makeshift sign and faraway look, empty your wallet.  Put some cash in hands and bless his next meal. 

Instead of offering polite sympathy the next time a co-worker, neighbor or friend shares one of life’s burdens, look for a tangible way to help.  Maybe it’s a heartfelt note.  Maybe it’s a cup of coffee and an ear.  Maybe it’s a meal.  Maybe it’s a song. 

It may seem naïve to hope for a better world.  It may seem futile to light our candle to change when hopelessness is all around.  But as a wise person once said, it is only when good men (women) do nothing that the darkness truly wins.

Rock n Roll Dreams

Ever catch yourself singing in your car imagining belting those notes on the big stage?  Ever played air guitar to your favorite song?  Ever changed your fashion style to match the members of your favorite band? 

Is it safe to say we’ve all had Rock n Roll dreams at some point in our lives?  Maybe you still do today J

One of the focus areas of MiTM is music education and we’re proud to announce a new program.  Starting this fall, we will begin offering a limited number of scholarships to students with financial need at the Bloomington Rock School.  BRS is an excited business run by Ed and Kim Anderson.  Ed is well established singer/songwriter and founder of Backyard Tire Fire.  Today, when not touring or recording with his new band (Magic Box), Ed is providing an authentic rock experience for young people at BRS. 

Through MiTM’s On the Wings of Song program, financial assistance will be made available for needy applicants to attend BRS’s Songwriting Seminar.  In these sessions, Ed will work with aspiring song writers to put their thoughts, feelings, and experiences into musical expression.  A public event announcing this partnership will happen in September. 

In addition to the Songwriting Seminar, youth ages 10-17 can enroll in both individual instrument lessons as well as rock band sessions (opportunities to jam with peers under the tutoring of Ed).  Not only can students learn from a professional rock musician, at the end of each year “the band” has the opportunity to take the big stage for a public performance. 

We’ve enjoyed getting to know Ed and Kim Anderson and MiTM is very excited to help make a few of those Rock n Roll dreams come true!

More information about BRS at www.bloomingtonrockschool.com

Interested in how MiTM can help your community? E-mail us at mitm.official@gmail.com

Ed Anderson and Backyard Tire Fire at the Bloomington Coliseum. 

Your Place, Our Music

This year has been a landmark year for us.  Through the generosity of our great donors and supporters, we’ve been able to form new local partnerships, host several concert events, raise more money, and help many people.  We’ve started adding the final events to our 2012 calendar -- and boy is it getting full!

In a few short weeks, our Board of Directors will meet to begin planning for 2013.  While we aren’t ready to make any announcements about 2013 yet, I can tell you that next year will be an even bigger year for MiTM!  Here’s where we need your help …

Local partnerships and concert events are only successful when you (our fans and friends) come out to support us.   So give us your thoughts on where we should go in 2013 and who we should work with?  Send us your input by either responding to this post below or by e-mail to mitm.official@gmail.com. 

Please remember that we cannot promise to accommodate all requests. 

 But your ideas and suggestions do matter to us!  

Frank and Christina Corbett are great friends of MiTM.  They’ve help to coordinate two major MiTM events in Ontario, Canada.  They’re passion for bringing the healing power of music to people in their local community has inspired us.  THANK YOU FRANK AND CHRISTINA!

The Tie That Binds

There is a lot of things in our world today that seem to separate people.  Politics, religion, social beliefs, etc.  It seems we can’t often hold an opinion or belief without also holding the opinion or belief that someone else is wrong.  I don’t want to be preachy here … this is not intended as an “all you need is love” ode to a divided world. 

But I was reminded again recently that music has the power to bring us together.  I spent my Saturday night with over a hundred “friends” who came out to see some live music and support Music is the Medicine.  The fact is, most of those in attendance knew very little about MiTM prior to the event.  And most of those who came out were there to see one particular act (we had four in total). 

So what was so impressive to me?  People came out and stayed out.  Our show started about 9pm local time and the stage was live until after 1am.  Our performers were all talented but made up an eclectic bunch … from acoustic folk/rock to electronic “dream pop”.  Our small show took on a festival like atmosphere with the crowd spilled over into the alley and street.  Beverage, tunes, and good times flowed freely.

The crowd in attendance was as eclectic as the music they heard. I visited with a fan who was 9 years old (our youngest, I believe). I visited with grandparents (age unknown and unasked) and every age in between. Ethnic, social, and economic diversity abound in an environment where those things that typically divide us seemed hopelessly irrelevant.  While I realize it may offend the sensibilities of some, for me that little pub was about the most beautiful place on Earth that Saturday night.

That’s another reason why we say Music is the Medicine.  When so many other institutions fail us, the pub filled with live music may be our last refuge.  Whatever your plans for this summer, I hope you find time to forget the worries of life, the divisions of the world, and the troubles of your day and “get lost in your rock ‘n roll and drift away.”

May 26th - MiTM Benefit Show at the Firehouse Pizza and Pub (Normal, IL)

Local Partnerships Put the Rhythm in Our Music

At MiTM, we wouldn’t be successful without great local partnerships.  We don’t approach our mission and vision as aspirations we can achieve alone.  In fact, we feel exactly the opposite. The realization of our mission and vision come from leveraging local partners such other not-for-profit organizations, independent musicians, members of the media, proprietors of great venues, and hundreds of local music fans who come out to support us. It takes everyone to make real change happen.

A question we get asked often is “how can I help?”  Here are a handful of ways in which you can help us spread the healing power of music:

©       Local charities – if you are involved with a local charity that could benefit from a partnership with MiTM, then we need to talk.  Most end recipients of our donations are through local organizations.  Remember our focus is in the areas of music education, children’s health programs, and assistance to military veterans.

©       Media – we always need help telling our story to mass audiences.  If you work in the print media, radio, internet blog, or television, we could use your help.  Whether it is around the coverage for an upcoming event or a special interest story on work we’ve done, we can help you discover an interesting “news angle” when covering MiTM.

©       Musicians – this is all about the music! We need talented musicians from all genres to help us bring people to our concert events.  As we continue to expand our friends and fan base, we need your music to help provide the medicine.  Concert events can be as small as fifty people or as large as one thousand.

©       Venues – Different musicians, different crowds, and different venues.  We appreciate the loyalty and support of venues we already work with.  But we can always expand … especially as we continue to expand the communities we work in. 

©       Donors and Supporters – Like any not-for-profit, we are always in need of material (money) support.  That can be through a general donation, paid attendance at an event, or even purchasing MiTM merchandise – more this coming in the next week or so.  

If you’re reading this blog (and you are) then you are already doing something to help us! Our fans and followers on social media are vital to getting our message out.  Help us grow by sharing MiTM with your FB friends, reposting our blog, sharing our Tweets (#musicisthemedic), and checking out our boards Pinterest.   Every person counts and we can only grow with your help.

Thanks for the support you’re already giving! More information at mitm.official@gmail.com

Organically Grown … Locally Consumed

While it is not written in our mission statement, MiTM is firmly committed to promoting the independent band/artist.  Hey, there’s nothing wrong with our friends who already have a great record deal … you know we love and appreciate their support.  But there is something really special about the independent guys (and gals). 

Excuse me if this comes off as corny but there is something magical about seeing a determined group of artists chasing their dreams.  They don’t play for the money as usually there is none.  They don’t play for the adoration of the crowds although a little applause never hurt.  They don’t play for the charts or the record labels. They play for the love of the music.  Pure and simple.

Blues music … punk music … acoustic music … country music … R&B … and good old rock n’ roll.  For these organic artists, music really is the medicine.

So the next time you change the station on the radio or adjust the playlist on your iPod, think about the independent artists in your area.  Get out for a few drinks and consume a live set or two at a neighborhood venue.  PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!

Aloha Tigers are an indie duo that will perform Live for an MiTM Benefit on May 26th in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois.

What music means to me …

For someone with limited musical abilities, it may seem ironic to hear me share that music has always been a part of my life.  I grew up in a musical home with a piano, organ, string instruments, and people who knew how to play them.  I remember my father’s 8 track cassettes playing Elvis, Abba, and even Waylon Jennings.  I remember Stairway to Heaven playing the first time I slow danced with a girl.  I remember the Phil Collins song that played the first time a girl broke my heart.  My life has an eclectic soundtrack all of its own.

But today music means more to me than ever. My oldest son, Sean, has autism.  Like so many children with autism, social based communication (even like talking to his dad) can be a struggle.  There have been many days of frustration and many nights of tears.  However, from the beginning music held a special bond between us.  While still in his mother’s womb, I used to sing “Hey Jude” to Sean so he’d stop kicking.  Only moments after he entered this world, I sang that famous Beatles song again to him and he stopped crying.  If the hospital staff joined in on the "nana na," parts, I missed it.

Today he’s a growing and thriving six year old boy. Autism never goes away. There is no cure.  But you don’t have to accept defeat from this mysterious condition that continues to baffle doctors and scientists everywhere.  Here’s what I’ve learned: the music that bonded us before we met continues to bind us today.  My son and I share a passion for music and not a day goes by where we don’t share a song (or two or three or …).  We even have "band practice" with me being the least talented musician in our house.  I've introduced him to the Beatles, Van Morrision, Coldplay, U2 and others.

In so many ways, music is the language between us.  We understand each other better through the melodies and harmonies of our favorite tunes.  I am proud of my son and love how he expresses himself through song, dance, and now playing piano and guitar.  I am honored to be a part of MiTM and our continuing efforts to bring the healing powers of music to others.

Jeff Bricker

March 2012 Update

Music is the Medicine Foundation
www.musicisthemedicine.org
_____________________________________________________________________________


WOW! What a start to 2012 for MiTM! We hosted our first concert event on March 2^nd at the Castle Theater in Bloomington, Illinois. The Anthony Gomes Blues Band put on another great show for a crowd of nearly 300 … including many members of the Blues Torch Society. Blues Hall of Famer Steve "The Harp" opened the show in rousing fashion and left no doubt how he earned his nickname.

MiTM raised $1500 and donated two guitars to St. Jude's Midwest Regional Affiliate. We met two young heroes whose courage and perseverance in an inspiration to us all. They promised to let us know when they are ready to bring those guitars on stage and play at a future MiTM event!


Also in March, MiTM Executive Director Anthony Gomes presented a new Fender guitar to our friends at Blue Star Connection. That guitar will be put in the hands of a worthy soul needing the healing power of music. We appreciate what Blue Star Connection is doing in the greater Nashville area and we were proud to help!


So what's next? We have a BIG, BIG year planned and we need your help to make it happen! Our next MiTM event will be in St. Louis at Blueberry Hill (Delmar Loop) on April 27^th. Anthony Gomes will be playing the famous Duck Room – same spot Chuck Berry plays monthly – and we'll be raising some money and make some new MiTM fans! We're looking for a sell out event – that's 300 tickets – and you can help. Please consider joining us for a great night ... ticket information coming soon!