SURVIVAL CENTER BENEFIT - with Donnie Gallagher & Friends

Lev BenEzra, Executive Director of the Amherst Survival Center and Northwestern District Attorney Dave Sullivan, reconnected with Donnie Gallagher at the Center's “Empty Bowls” fundraiser recently. It was there that they set another call to action into motion. Gallagher, now devotes his time to being a Singer-Songwriter/Grandfather after years in the non-profit and private sectors. Gallagher, who had worked with Sullivan and BenEzra on different projects in the past, had just returned from recording and mastering his first solo record in Colorado.  

Following the discussion at the “Empty Bowls” event, and conversations with his musician friends and local activists, Gallagher made a call to Lincoln Allen, Managing Director of the Drake in downtown Amherst. Combining a release of his self-titled album “Living to the Fullest” while raising much needed funds for the Survival Center then became a reality. The Survival Center/Drake event will take place on Wednesday, June 4th from 7:00 - 10:30. Tickets are available at the Drake website www.thedrakeamherst.org

“Here was an opportunity to collaborate with folks who were committed to feeding the bodies and souls of individuals in the heart of the Valley and bring together all the right ingredients”. The record release coincides with a 50th Springfield College reunion where the musicians on Gallagher's record met and played together in bands. "After fifty plus years, my best friends and bandmates from college get to come together from across the country to play…and pay it forward". Proceeds from the event at the Drake, along with the very first sales of the CD and Vinyl will go directly to the Survival Center.     

After moving to the Valley from the Berkshires twenty plus years ago, Gallagher and his wife Karen immersed themselves in what he called a “community filled with passion and hope”. He worked with an ad hoc group to create “Hurricaid” at the UMass Campus Center to raise money to support the victims of Hurricane Mitch that devastated coffee cooperatives in Nicaragua that supplied Deans Beans and other roaster/distributors globally.  Shortly thereafter Gallagher and co-president Deborah Evans helped to incorporate the North Amherst Community Farm instrumental in raising the funds for the forty-plus acres farmed Simple Gifts Farm.  Music was always a part of farm life and for many years Gallagher organized that aspect of their Harvest Festivals as well. Planning a concert to support the efforts of the Survival Center seemed like a natural fit.

“We hope to see music lovers and folks who support the sorely needed and fine work of the Survival Center come out for a fun evening at the Drake”.                                                                         

SHOW AT THE DRAKE IN SUPPORT OF THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER

THE CAUSE 

Acclaimed area musicians will take to the stage at the Drake in Amherst on Wednesday, June 4th from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. to benefit the work of the Amherst Survival Center.

The Center is one of many agencies and organizations affected by significant  budget cuts in Washington.

Organizer and Singer-Songwriter "Donnie Gallagher and Friends" will provide three sets of popular music.

THE MUSIC 

Valley singer songwriter Peter Newland  and his band "Radio X" will open the show. Newland  was lead singer and harp player with the legendary 70's popular rock band FAT. Newland has been instrumental in growing the Blues to Green Festival in downtown Springfield. 

Newland will then be joined by Guy DeVito, the bass player from FAT. After twelve years on Atlantic and RCA records, DeVito spent four years on the Island of Montserrat playing bass in live shows featuring  artists produced by George Martin's Air Studios.

Upon his return to the States, DeVito played with John Kay and Steppenwolf.  He was arguably the area's most sought after bassist while producing records for some of the Valley's most successful acts. 

Southampton Tim Smith, who toured with Poco during Rusty Young's final decade, will be on the drums.The program will end with selections from Donnie Gallagher and Friends’ new record release "Living to the Fullest" and popular cover songs from the ‘70s. On stage with Gallagher will be Colorado guitarist and record producer Curtis Dagostino, Bay Area bass player Roger Winkelman, Pocono guitarist Keith Naylor and Orlando's Jim Mahoney.

Dagostino, a native of Longmeadow has played with members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Buddy Miles, Dan Fogelburg, Starwood, the Bobby Mason Band and John Sommers who wrote for and played with John Denver.

Ticket and merchandise proceeds will directly benefit the Survival Center and can be found on the Drake's website at https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/  

Also check out other Music events in Amherst, Entertainment events in Amherst, Nonprofit events in Amherst.