Culture
Acoustic Aid: Musicians Unite to Help Athens Family
By: Emily Votaw
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This Friday night, Donkey Coffee will host a number of spectacular local acts – all in the spirit of charity.
The show, titled “Jonathan AID,” features Adam Remnant of Southeast Engine, singer-songwriter Matt Moore, musician/poet Sarah Green and Jake Householder of Scubadog.
It’s designed to raise funds for Jonathan Young, an Athens resident and close friend of Householder and Donkey owner Chris Pyle.
Both Pyle and Householder got to know Young through their church, Central Avenue United Methodist. When Young was injured earlier this winter, his family was faced with enormous medical bills due to their lack of health insurance.
However, Central Avenue is a tight-knit community, and soon after Young’s overwhelming predicament came to light, several members started thinking about ways to help.
“When the need came up for Jonathan and his family, it wasn’t long before Chris Pyle got in touch with me and had the idea to put on the benefit,” Householder said. “The event was Chris’ idea. I helped put together the bill and did some of the publicity and flyer stuff.”
Pyle was humble when discussing the event, remarking that the coffee shop often hosts charity events.
“Jonathan’s a friend of mine,” he said. “After he told me his story, I started thinking that we could probably do something at Donkey. I hope it’s going to be fun…we’re going to have acoustic performances by the best singer-songwriters in town.”
Adam Remnant is planning on debuting some new songs, but admitted that “if someone requests one, I could play a Southeast Engine song or two.” He’s also looking forward to sharing the stage with Householder, Green and Moore.
“I’ve been friends with Jake and Matt for a while, and this is a good opportunity to see everybody play live,” he said.
Householder likes the idea of doing “value-added shows,” where it’s more than “just coming out to see some band play and going home. We have the chance, just by all gathering in the same place, playing some music and giving what we can give, to legitimately help a local family overcome a financial obstacle that would otherwise be pretty oppressive.”
Even though the show is geared to raise money for Young and his family, Householder also sees it as an opportunity to bring the community together.
“The biggest part of this benefit is to come out in solidarity for some friends in need,” he explained. “Will we raise all the money they need simply by singing some songs? Maybe, maybe not. But the bigger issue in my mind is that the Young family can look out over a room full of people and know that we’ve all got their back.”
Although the level of compassion and care that goes into the planning of a charity show is undeniable, Householder firmly believes that this sort of help should be provided on a very regular basis.
“I don’t think it’s anything remarkable to put on a benefit to help out…it’s just the most logical and obvious choice,” he said. “Our friends need help. Let’s do what we can. What good is a faith community, or any community, if it doesn’t, at base, do that?”
Friday’s show time is 8 p.m. Visit the event’s Facebook page for more information.