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One Show For One Soul: Musicians Helping Those In Need
By: Arian Smedley | Athens Messenger
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After watching a reality TV show where average citizens helped feed homeless individuals, a local man grew inspired to do something for those in need in his own community.
Jeremy Gibson, guitar player and songwriter for the band Appalachian Hillside Revolution, got together a group of friends and fellow musicians to organize a two-day concert, called One Show For One Soul, on Sept. 27 and 28.
This year’s proceeds will go to the family of Shirley Cullison, of Glouster, who recently passed away at age 70 after a bout with cancer.
For $5 a day (or $7 for both days) concert-goers can enjoy the tunes from 18 local bands and musicians at the Nelsonville Eagles at 67 W. Washington Street. Performances will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday and will go on until 1 a.m. on both nights.
Gibson hopes to host the event annually at venues around the county, with the proceeds going to a different individual or family every year. There's even talk about making the group a formal non-profit organization.
This isn’t the first time Gibson has gone out of his way to help others. He’s lead fundraisers in the past whenever “something grabs my heart,” he said. According to those who know him, it’s just what he does.
“Jeremy is kind and generous,” said his friend and fellow event organizer Adam Fowler. “He opens his heart to a lot of people. It’s just about helping. It makes you feel better, and he’s contagious with that type of groove he has.”
Gibson used his network of friends to find Cullison. Her daughter Cathy Swinehart, of Zanesville, didn’t tell her mother about it because she planned to take her to the show as a surprise, but she died on Aug. 29.
Swinehart was pleased to hear the group decided to move forward with the event, adding the money will help pay for funeral expenses and medical bills.
“It’s a wonderful thing they’re doing,” Swinehart said.
In addition to the entry fee, funds will be generated through a bake sale, raffles and door-prize contests. Straight donations will be welcomed, too, either at the event or made online on the group’s Paypal account (a link to the account can be found on the event's Facebook Group page).
“We’re hoping to raise as much as possible, but we'd like to raise at least $5,000” Gibson said.
“Next year, maybe we’ll help someone in Coolville and do a show there,” Fowler said. “Everybody needs a little help sometime. None of us are wealthy, by any means. We’re just paying it forward and helping somebody else.”
For more information about the event, contact Gibson at (740) 447-1781.