This coming Thursday, December 1st, two bands will play their music in an attempt to help alleviate hunger in our area.
Kryss Dula & Friends will join Earth By Train to play a free show at The Acoustic Coffeehouse (415 W. Walnut St.) in Johnson City. This event benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. Attendees are asked by the musicians to bring canned or other non-perishable food to donate at the barrel near the front door. Regardless of whether people are able to donate or not, everyone is welcome to attend the show for free.
Kryss Dula & Friends will kick off the night at 8pm. Gigs are booked by Dula, but the ‘Friends’ he has playing with him vary considerably, and can include any of about 25 musicians. Dula says the group has three rules: “We never take money to play, we never practice (because technically, we’re not a band), and we must have fun.” He also says “I’m blessed to have a great day job, so that I don’t need money to play, though I support all other bands who should be paid to play.” He notes the band typically plays for charities or non-profit organizational events, to support a variety of causes, in order to “have fun, while helping.” Various iterations of the band have been featured on the Daytime Tri-Cities TV show and have opened for national acts Train and James Durbin.
Headlining the night will be Earth By Train, beginning at 10pm. They have a powerful and eclectic sound, which they call a “progressive/fusion blend of Americana Jam.” They cite as influences, such artists as Dave Matthews, the Allman Brothers, the Delta Saints, and Rusted Roots, amongst many others. The group has been touring almost 3 years, building support everywhere they go. And, they have a positive mission as well, saying they believe “in the power of music and what it can do for our hearts and our world.” As such, they are excited to play this benefit show to provide assistance to food insecure people in our local communities. Anthony Wayne is the lead singer and guitarist, with Tyler Mullins on bass, and Rodney Twyne on drums. The trio has a new album in the works, and will be playing some songs from that project.
The local office of Second Harvest provides assistance to residents of the local eight county region and has been active in this area for over 25 years. They have a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and are thus known for being transparent and accountable stewards of all donations. Their website indicates they help an average of 43,000 people monthly with over 10 million pounds of food annually. So, take this as your cue to come out and “have fun, while helping.”
www.facebook.com/pg/EarthByTrain/
www.reverbnation.com/earthbytrain
www.reverbnation.com/kryssdula
