Many local musicians are sharing their talents this holiday season; all to help raise funds for a local food bank. For this 14th annual Holiday Jam for Hunger, musicians from across Chatham-Kent and Southwestern Ontario will be gracing the stage on Friday at Sons of Kent Brewing Company. All proceeds from the event will go towards to Chatham Outreach for Hunger.
This musical tradition started in 2004 and has continued every year since, organized the last seven years by local musician Alysson Storey. While different community organizations have benefited from each concert, several years ago Chatham Outreach for Hunger was adopted as the annual recipient, as the need continues to grow every year.
“It is so heart-warming to see these talented local musicians share their time for such a worthy cause,” Storey said in a media release. “These annual Holiday Jams have raised over $15,000 for local charities. We couldn’t do this without our musicians and our supporters. It’s such a fun and worthwhile holiday tradition.”
While these musicians are serious about the cause, they also have plenty of fun on stage. This year, Dave’s Not Here, a collection of friends from Rondeau, will be opening the evening as they do every year. Headliners Blutonium will follow them, a talented and well-known band in southwestern Ontario.
This local group, consisting of Scott Campbell on lead vocals, Rick Chrysler on drums, Darryl Denault on guitar and Bob Wilson on bass, has been playing across southwestern Ontario for many years now.
“We were excited when Alysson approached us for this event,” stated Chrysler. “We were the headliner for the Hunger Jam a few years ago and we’re excited to be back, especially at such a great venue. And we fully support the cause.”
Sons of Kent and an anonymous donor are sponsoring this year’s event.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation, with all proceeds going to Chatham Outreach for Hunger.
