PRESS RELEASE from Organizers
For Immediate Release
Monday, April 1, 2013
East Coast Music Community bands together to raise money for the Smith Family Trust by hosting a benefit concert & silent auction at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax, April 7
Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, April 3 at 12 noon
(Halifax, NS) – Cape Breton musician, Jay Smith passed away suddenly on March 26th while on tour. To support his family and two young children, his friends, family and members of the East Coast Music Community have rallied to host the Jay Smith Memorial Benefit Concert & Silent Auction on Sunday, April 7 with 100% of all proceeds going to the Smith Family Trust.
To donate, visit: http://www.mattmays.com/
Since 2007, Smith was a member of the Matt Mays band and recorded the Juno-nominated record, Terminal Romance and the highly acclaimed CD, Coyote. He is also known for his work as front man and singer-songwriter of trio, Rock Ranger and won a 2009 East Coast Music Award for SOCAN Songwriter of the Year for the song “We Are Young And So Is The Night” which he co-wrote with Gordie Sampson. He released a self-titled solo CD in 2011.
“Since Jay’s passing, his friends in the East Coast music community and beyond have been working non-stop to organize this event to raise money for a trust to benefit Jay’s two small children, Noah and Amy,” said event spokesperson, Mike Campbell. “I’ve never seen anything in all my years in the business to compare to the outpouring of support for this effort, which speaks volumes to just how much Jay was loved by his peers and everyone whose lives were touched by him. We all miss Jay desperately and we look forward to a fantastic day and night of music in celebration of his memory.”
The daylong event will present three concerts, including two Songwriters’ Circles and a Rock Room along with a Silent Auction.
The first Songwriters’ Circle, being held in the Compass Room from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., will be hosted by Bruce Guthro and feature Lennie Gallant, Steve MacDougall, Carmen Townsend and Matt Minglewood. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
The second Songwriters’ Circle, will take place in the Compass Room from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by Gordie Sampson, it will feature performances by Matt Andersen, Thom Swift, Dustin Bentall and Carleton Stone. Doors open at 3 p.m.
The Rock Room, happening in the Schooner Room, will go from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The show will be general admission, standing room only. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The schedule of performing artists includes:
6 p.m The Meds
6:30 p.m. In Flight Safety
7 p.m. Young River & guests
7:40 p.m. The Stanfields
8:20 p.m. Joel Plaskett Emergency
9:20 p.m. Matt Mays
Admission to each of the three concerts will be $40.00 plus tax and applicable surcharge.
The silent auction will run from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To donate to the silent auction, please contact: ashley@halifaxpopexplosion.com
Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, April 3 at 12 noon. Tickets will be available at the Ticket Atlantic box office, at participating Atlantic Superstore locations, by phone at (902) 451-1221 (toll free at 1-877-451-1221) and online at http://www.ticketatlantic.com
The event is licensed and restricted to ages 19 and over.
Receive the most up-to-date information on the Jay Smith Memorial Benefit Concert & Silent Auction, by joining the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/283553365111221/
Another benefit will also take place on Monday, April 8 at Membertou Trade & Convention Centre in Sydney, NS. Details to be announced soon.
-30-