When disaster strikes, musicians don't usually pick up a shovel. But they're pretty darn good about strapping on a guitar and helping out any number of causes.
The Slave Lake fire, which has left about 7,000 in the town homeless, has brought out a surge of support and some St. Albert musicians are joining the philanthropy.
This coming Sunday, Tupelo Honey headlines the Starlite Room for the Slave Lake Benefit Concert. Also lending their talents is a roster of bands that include Dirty City Hearts, Who's the Hero, Random Falter, Nobody Likes Dwight, The Apresnos and Dead in Memphis.
"We've been hearing the horrible stories about people losing everything and having to leave their pets behind and not being able to get back up to check their homes. And we thought it would be cool to help out," says Tupelo Honey vocalist Dan Davidson.
The cover is $15. He adds that 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Tupelo Honey will perform at 11:30 p.m. The Starlite is at 10030 – 102 St.
LB's Slave Lake benefit
Here in St. Albert, Ammar's Tuesday Night Open Stage at LB's Pub has scrubbed a birthday celebration for guitarist Sheldon Smoke and switched it to a Slave Lake Benefit Jam.
"Sheldon called me and said, 'Let's put the birthday aside. It's not important.' He's a very heartfelt person. You can tell he loves to help people," says jam host Mark Ammar.
This coming Tuesday, organizers for the Slave Lake Benefit Jam will be accepting money, non-perishable food items, new and gently used clothes, bedding, blankets and small portable household items. All donations will be forwarded to the Red Cross.
Donations at LB's started trickling in last Tuesday night when Ammar made the announcement to a full house that had come to listen to Big Dave MacLean.
"He quietly pulled out a few bills and handed it to my wife and said he'd like to donate. He was the first one."
Although the birthday celebration has been cancelled, Smoke will be right there slinging his rockin' blues.
"I first met him in 2008 at the Taphouse jams. At first he was shy about playing, but now he's in every jam in the city, seven nights a week."
Joining him is bassist Bill Fuher and rock vocalist Fort Mcmurray.
Ammar is urging everyone to give. "They are our own fellow Albertans and they need our help."
The Red Cross can be contacted at 1-800-418-1111.
LB's is at 23 Akins Dr. The jam starts at 9 p.m. No cover.
