I’ve talked about FODfest before on these pages, as well as on Guitar Noise. In case you are new to my blog, FOD stands for “Friends of Danny” and “Danny” is Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was murdered in Pakistan in 2002. Besides being a reporter, Daniel was a wonderful musician (primarily the violin) who loved taking part in jams anywhere he’d travel. FODfest, founded by Todd Mack (a good friend and former bandmate of Danny’s) is a series of musical concerts that use music as a medium for promoting peace and harmony in the world.
I’ve been honored to play in several FODfest shows over the last four years. I get to meet and play with many terrific musicians from all over, not to mention meet the people who come to the shows and who get to experience the joy that music can bring. These musicians range in age and abilities. I may have mentioned that the great Corky Siegel played at the show in Oak Park, Illinois last October. Having him perform a harmonica solo for one of my original songs was without a doubt one of the highlights of my life as a musician.
And some of the musicians I meet are younger, but just as talented! I’ve had the privilege of playing with Sam Weiser, ans amazing young violinist (a winner of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin – and he’s still in high school!) at a few FODfest shows the past two years and he is quite a talented and exciting performer. He’s just finished his first CD, Sam I Am (available at Amazon, CD Baby and probably also your own music store) and has a short tour this month to promote it. This CD was produced by the Grammy nominated SONiA of Disappear Fear (and she is another person that I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting and playing backup for through FODfest) and I’m sure it’s going to be a great disc of music. He’s donating the profits from his CD to the Daniel Pearl Foundation.
You’ll find him playing at these venues and dates in February:
February 10th 7:00pm – Fairfield Theatre Company – Fairfield, CT
February 12th 7:00pm – Unity Church of God – Somerville, MA
February 13th 3:00pm – Rockwood Music Hall – New York City, NY
February 15th 7:30pm – Saint Mark Presbyterian Church – Rockville, MD
February 21st 7:30pm – The Rutledge – Nashville, TN
If you’re in the area, try to get to a show. You’ll have a great time, hear some great music and help support a great cause.
