Featured Artist of the Week: Gerry Williams Band

On July 4^th, Gerry Williams will be rocking Orlando once again. You better believe that there will be plenty of fireworks that night in the Social. With openers, Kaleigh Baker and KG and the Band (Both being Rock for Hunger favorites), it seems as if the show will consist of explosions of energy and excitement the entire night.

For those that haven’t experienced Gerry Williams live, you don’t know what you are missing. As a staple of the Orlando funk scene, Gerry Williams is up there with the likes of Sam Rivers and the Legendary JCs. His talent is simply undeniable and his band is flawless.

I had the pleasure of seeing Gerry Williams at the Obama-Rama event at the Plaza Theatre back in October. Admittedly, I had never witnessed his brilliance in person prior. That night opened me up to another world of sophisticated music of a unique genre. Although the show wasn’t on the Fourth of July, just his presence alone ignited pyrotechnics throughout the venue.

What are you doing on the Fourth of July? Skip the same old dangerous firework session with you and your buddies and enjoy a live concert that will truly be amazing. Go to the Social!

Visit thesocial.org for more info on the show.

Visit myspace.com/gerrywilliamsmusic for a taste of his music.

- Logan

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week (BandWagon Edition): City and Colour

I decided to do something different for this week's Featured Artist. I am going to start writing a sub-section called "BandWagon" that will highlight a national band that you may have never heard of. By now, we have had almost every RFH alum featured on this blog, and it is definitely time to spread our geographic wings.

As our first bandwagon artist, I chose to highlight City and Colour. For those that are unfamiliar, City and Colour is the brainchild of Dallas Green, the guitarist and songwriter for screamo band Alexisonfire. One might be surprised to hear the 180 degree difference between the two projects.

Being engulfed in heavy music in his professional music career, Dallas started City and Colour to reveal his delicate side. He does this as if it was his first baby. It is no question that he is a natural songwriter that can create any type of song.

Dallas's second album, Bring Me Your Love, was released back in January, and has been in my CD player ever since. I recommend all types of music fans check out his music on City and Colour's MySpace page. There are even some amazing cover tunes that can be found on his sites. Consider it a scavenger hunt.

I hope you enjoyed being informed of the indie and unknown. Together, we will expand your musical database - just as long as you continue to Rock for Hunger in return.

-Logan

Read more...

Making Change Step By Step

Yesterday David Ashby started his trek from Orlando to Washington D.C. to shed light on the over 1.5 million homeless children in the US. Here at Rock For Hunger, we find his journey remarkable and humbling. Taking action, no matter what this is, is always better than thinking about the problem, having great ideas and doing nothing.

David has shown that no matter your age, pay range, life experiences or lack thereof - every person can make a difference. We were fortunate enough to have David spend a night with us here at a Rock For Hunger Monday night food sharing event a few weeks back. Some of the footage is played in the background of yesterday's Today Show profiling David and his walk. I encourage you to watch the video and see that everyday, one by one and one step at a time change is happening to make our world a better place.

Follow David on his journey by visiting his blog. It looks like he will be updating daily with remarks from his first day and night at Sanford's Rescue Outreach Mission Center, along with needs and info already online.

-Greg

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Bop Gun

This post may be coming late, but there is still time to check out this week's featured artist live in concert tonight. Tonight, (which yes, is June 12th) Bop Gun will be playing at the Plaza Theatre.

You might be asking yourself, "Bop Gun - who are these guys? And why do they deserve to be the coveted Rock for Hunger Featured Artist of the Week?"

Both questions are justifiable due to the new state of the band. The reason they are so special is because Peter Baldwin, a glorious RFH Fest alum, is the frontman of this newly established band.

Admittedly, this is the first time I have checked out this new act. At first listen, I am impressed. Peter Baldwin has always been one of my favorite local artists. Now that he has a band, he is able to be more animated and shine out in front like the star that he is. I get a major TV on the Radio feel from Bop Gun. That is something to be proud of.

Check the band out on MySpace here and see them live tonight at the Plaza Theatre.

-Logan

Read more...

Helping the Homeless - Talk For Hunger Day 1

On June 1st, 2009 Rock For Hunger took a step towards alleviating homelessness in Orlando. With the official street launch of Talk For Hunger, Rock For Hunger has set up a program designed to bring jobs and currency through the homeless community.

For those of you that do not know what Talk For Hunger is, here is the Cliff Notes version. Talk For Hunger is a street paper, much like the Homeless Voice in South Florida and Strteetwise in Chicago. The paper is sold by homeless vendors who are independent contractors for Rock For Hunger.

For each $1 paper sold, the vendor receives $.75 to put towards their future.

Through a lifestyle design and financial training course the vendors will be brought through actionable training to gain full time employment, financial stability and housing to create and sustain a lifestyle to be proud of.

On Monday, June 1st Rock For Hunger Executive Director Chris Goyzueta, along with Blackbird, hit the Orlando streets, working the area around Central and Orange to sell and spread the word on Talk For Hunger. With limited success on Day 1, I caught up with the 2 of them at the Rock For Hunger Food Sharing to talk about their day, their struggles and the outlook for the paper. Check it out!



If you want to get involved with Talk For Hunger, we have subscriptions available. They are $20 and include 12 issues mailed to your home, the electronic version and a small donation to help us secure uniforms, badges and the paper logistics. Please click the Buy Now button below to contribute!

Thanks Orlando for taking this paper into your homes, your hearts and into your conversations. Now is the time to do more than Talk about the problem, you can make a difference and help these individuals further their lives!

-Greg Rollett

P.S. To get involved with Talk For Hunger shoot an email to chris @ rockforhunger.org. You can also follow Talk For Hunger on Twitter (@talkforhunger)

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Kutless

Some of you may have never heard of the band Kutless. For those that fall into that category, I feel sorry for you. Kutless is a spiritual and motivational rock group from Portland, Oregon. The infinite amount of followers of the band is astounding, especially for those of you that claimed to have never heard of them until now.

Kutless will be in Apopka (basically Orlando) on June 21st at the Journey Christian Church. You might be asking yourself, what does the show and the band have to do with Rock for Hunger? Well, because they are such incredible guys, they are donating $1 from every ticket sold to us. How amazing is that!

In all honesty, Christian rock isn't my thing. I'll be the first to admit that. I'm only stating that because I want to tell you how much I still enjoy this band. They transcend any "labels" or "restrictions" that you may assume on them from my aforementioned proclomations. Simply put, however, they are just a great rock band with a positive message.

Check out their music on their MySpace by clicking here. And join us at the show in a few weeks. Get your tickets early. This one might end up selling out.

Here is a really cool video promoting the show:

Here are the flyers:


Here is where to buy tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale%3bjsessionid=11586EDAA5E3D680EC58CAAE52CE7B83?action=selectPerformance&performance_id=1014050

-Logan Lenz

Read more...