Locals rally to help fellow musician Mike McDade
When Channing Wilson heard that fellow local musician Mike McDade was having major heart surgery, he did what so many local artists and fans have done over the years — put together a benefit show. He reached out to some of his old bandmates in The Rounders and asked them to be part of the all-star lineup.
“I had heard Mike [McDade] had quadruple bypass surgery, and I knew that he would have to take time off his gig, which is running open-mic nights around Chattanooga. Also the bills, I’m sure, are piling up after a procedure like that. I’ve done my share of benefits and charity shows, so I might as well get one in for someone I actually know and owe a debt of gratitude to,” Wilson said.
The Mike McDade Benefit Concert is set for 8 p.m. tonight, Aug. 15, at Songbirds South. Admission is $15.
Joining Wilson in this edition of The Rounders will be Mike Hagaman and Bryan Gross with Anthony Simms filling in on the guitar for original guitarist Cecil “PeeWee” Moore. Since the band parted ways, Moore has traveled the country with his own band, the Awful Dreadful Snakes, and as a solo act. Wilson has become a successful songwriter, having co-written the No. 1 Luke Combs hit “She Got the Best of Me.”
“The last time The Rounders played was the last show at Rhythm & Brews,” Wilson said. “Mike Dougher was booking the talent then at the former nightclub and is doing the same for Songbirds today.
“One of the great things about the Chattanooga music community is that they are always ready to help someone in need,” he said.
“Mike McDade has been a fixture on the scene for a long time. His passion is helping young talent get started with the best open mic in the city. Always smiling, Mike is a friend to all. As a community, we were saddened to hear that he had some serious health problems that required major surgery. Things went well, but the road is long and filled with medical bills. It’s our turn to show our appreciation for all the good Mike and Gail have brought to our city.”
McDade said the show tonight means a lot to him and his wife, expecially since it started with Wilson.
“He has been a very good friend to me and Gail for many years,” McDade said.
“It has really touched our hearts to know that people care so much, and it will help greatly to get us through a really tough time. I’m looking forward to the show.”
Wilson said he expects The Rounders show and the entire evening to be something special.
“Of course, it’s not the original lineup but we make do. Mike and his wife actually met at a Rounders show back in the day, so I thought if it worked out it would be a nice surprise.
“We haven’t played together in a long time, so it should be really interesting — to put it mildly. This is going to be a great, ‘old-school Chattanooga’ kinda show. I reached out to Travis [Kilgore] of Scarlet Love Conspiracy and he helped me round out the lineup. It’s going to be a ‘who’s who’ of Chattanooga’s music scene,” Wilson predicts.
Joining the band on the bill will be a mixture of some of the city’s best-known performers of the last 20 years including Lew Card, The Bohannons, Ryan Oyer and many more.