The Grateful Dead‘s Bob Weir, Sammy Hagar and Foo Fighters‘ Dave Grohl are among the of artists who have committed to perform a virtual streaming concert event that Hall & Oates member John Oates and his wife, Aimee, are helping to organize.
The show, called Oates Song Fest 7908, takes place March 20 and will be streamed for free on various internet platforms. During the event, which will be hosted by nugs.tv, viewers will be encouraged to donate to Feeding America, a charitable organization that supports food banks across the U.S.
Other artists who also are slated to perform during the event along with are Oates include John’s band mate Daryl Hall, My Morning Jacket‘s Jim James, Michael Franti, singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin and more.
Oates will be the event’s emcee, and internet star Saxsquatch will serve as co-host.
“This will be an entertaining and innovative way for the music community to share their songwriting creativity in an effort help feed America’s hungry families in need,” Oates says in a statement.
The inspiration for “Oates Song Fest 7908” was a 2010 concert that John played at the historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, which is located at the altitude of 7,908 feet.
“Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic when it became clear that live shows would not be possible, Aimee and I pivoted to the idea of creating a virtual version for charity,” John explains, “and ‘Oates Song Fest 7908’ was born.”
Oates has posted a video message on his YouTube channel in which he discusses the festival and his goal to raise money to help feed hungry people during the pandemic.
By Matt Friedlander
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