Producer John Nichols is deeply passionate about (at least) three things: live music; raising money for New Day Youth and Family Services; and his dog, Aretha. Clever guy that he is, he’s found a way to combine all three. In February, the four-part series On the Road with Aretha, 10th Annual New Day Benefit will stream video of live performances featuring local artists in five cities—Albuquerque/Tucson, Austin, New Orleans, and Nashville. Music fans can enjoy terrific music and the sterling personality of canine hostess Aretha—voiced by vocalist Hillary Smith, a soulful force of nature—while helping young people in difficult straits.
Back in 2008, as chairman of the board for New Day, a nonprofit organization that focuses on meeting the needs of young people in trouble, John Nichols hired Eric McFadden’s band for the annual fashion show fundraiser. In 2011, he decided to drop the fashion show and hold a benefit concert featuring Tedeschi Trucks Band. That was the beginning of what he calls “a life change and new awakening,” and of an ongoing annual event that has featured everyone from Los Lobos to Hot Tuna.
On the Road with Aretha leverages the many connections that Nichols has cultivated over the years, and it is easily his most ambitious fundraising project. “I just got bored,” he says, crediting the excessive free time the coronavirus shutdown provided. Not only has he corralled super acts from five cities, videoed them, and set up the streaming platform on stellartickets.com, but he’s also offered a number of other nonprofits—Outpost Performance Space, Animal Humane, National Institute of Flamenco, Youth Development Inc., Gathering of Nations, UNM Men’s Tennis Team, to name a few—an opportunity to benefit by selling tickets to the online events via their own link and receiving a portion of the proceeds.
The response from the musicians, who have all been paid, as have the tech support people in each city, has been phenomenal, he says, noting the response of bassist Kevin Scott as an example. “I called Kevin and was like ‘Dude, I’m coming through New Orleans, and this is kind of the concept,” and he’s like, ‘Oh, Dude, I’ll have it set up. I’ll see you on Sunday.’ Literally, that was all he said,” says Nichols. New Orleans musicians have been doing backyard concerts during the pandemic, and when Nichols arrived in NOLA, he found that Scott had arranged a straight-up backyard concert with multiple artists.
Nichols did the video and sound recording, with assistance, in each city, and he credits trumpeter Ryan Montaño, who appears in the series’ first part, with the video editing.
Streaming every Thursday in February, the series will present a different city each week.
Week 1, February 4: Albuquerque/Tucson
Chris Dracup, Munirah, Prism Bitch, Isaac Aragon, Kevin Cummings, Jr., Ryan Montaño, Vicente Griego, Tim Lefevbre & Rachel Eckroth
Week 2, February 11: Austin
James Bullard, Samuel Grey Horse & the Greyhounds, Guy Forsyth & Jeska Bailey, Michael Hale Trio, Ephraim Owens Experience, Jimmie Vaughan (who supplied his own video)
Week 3, February 18: New Orleans
Nigel Hall & Friends, Isaac Eady Band, Kevin Scott Trio (Dave Easley, Doug Belotte, and Scott)
Week 4, February 25: Nashville
Kristina Train & Paul Olsen with Mark Raudabaugh, Leah Blevins, Layla Tucker, The Clouses, Jeff Coffin Trio, LORE (Laura Reed & Laur Joamets)
Tickets for each event, a variety of merch, and a good time can be had here and will benefit the Outpost.
Check out the limited-edition T-shirts and
fridge magnets at the Musically Speaking store.
Your support is much appreciated.
© 2021 Mel Minter