ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
A one of a kind concert happened in St. Louis Tuesday night. Some of the city's most-loved musicians performed to help one of the most-respected agencies doing work in Haiti: Doctors without Borders. They raised $20-thousand. That's a lot more than they anticipated.
"If history has taught us one thing it's that when people come together collectively, especially musicians, around a cause, it can be very powerful," said Brian Owens, a young R&B singer who kicked off the St. Louis Musicians for Haiti concert.
The benefit came together when a member of the folk group Mayor Taylor emailed lead vocalist Lydia Ruffin, suggesting they get together a few bands and try to raise some money. Ruffin immediately called the Sheldon Concert Hall to speak to Director of Operations Dale BEnz.
"You can never get Dale on the phone. You always have to leave him a message and he calls you back. But he answered the phone on the first ring," she said. "Within hours he had the whole thing booked. Just one of those things. You knew the energy was there."
"When something this big happens you feel helpless, and you think, 'What can I do? What can I do? Sometimes you think, 'I'll just do what I do.'"
So they made music. Eight of St. Louis's top acts performed in front of a sellout crowd. They sold 700 tickets within days of announcing the lineup.
"St. Louis musicians are generous beyond belief, so when something happens you can call a hundred different musicians and they'll all say, 'Yeah. Let's do something.'"
All of the proceeds will go to Doctors without Borders. Since the earthquake in Haiti, they've treated almost 13 thousand patients, performed 14 hundred surgeries, and brought in tons of aid. Tickets were $15 each. Plus there was a silent auction. This benefit likely brought in thousands upon thousands of dollars.
"I do a lot of folk music," said Ruffin, "and a lot of music that came to the southern part of the United States that turned into blues and jazz really came from those islands."
Her music, and all music, can help heal souls, said Owens. Not just this night. Always.
"For me that's the reason I do music, not for the sensation of being in front of people or the dreams aobut it, but I think music is a powerful tool."
"If history has taught us one thing it's that when people come together collectively, especially musicians, around a cause, it can be very powerful," said Brian Owens, a young R&B singer who kicked off the St. Louis Musicians for Haiti concert.
The benefit came together when a member of the folk group Mayor Taylor emailed lead vocalist Lydia Ruffin, suggesting they get together a few bands and try to raise some money. Ruffin immediately called the Sheldon Concert Hall to speak to Director of Operations Dale BEnz.
"You can never get Dale on the phone. You always have to leave him a message and he calls you back. But he answered the phone on the first ring," she said. "Within hours he had the whole thing booked. Just one of those things. You knew the energy was there."
"When something this big happens you feel helpless, and you think, 'What can I do? What can I do? Sometimes you think, 'I'll just do what I do.'"
So they made music. Eight of St. Louis's top acts performed in front of a sellout crowd. They sold 700 tickets within days of announcing the lineup.
"St. Louis musicians are generous beyond belief, so when something happens you can call a hundred different musicians and they'll all say, 'Yeah. Let's do something.'"
All of the proceeds will go to Doctors without Borders. Since the earthquake in Haiti, they've treated almost 13 thousand patients, performed 14 hundred surgeries, and brought in tons of aid. Tickets were $15 each. Plus there was a silent auction. This benefit likely brought in thousands upon thousands of dollars.
"I do a lot of folk music," said Ruffin, "and a lot of music that came to the southern part of the United States that turned into blues and jazz really came from those islands."
Her music, and all music, can help heal souls, said Owens. Not just this night. Always.
"For me that's the reason I do music, not for the sensation of being in front of people or the dreams aobut it, but I think music is a powerful tool."
