Memphis restaurateur creates a virtual concert series
Matt Wilson woke up last Thursday morning and asked himself, “What can I do to help people in Memphis that are feeling helpless right now?”
The idea that popped into his head was to host an online concert series fundraiser on the roof of the Chisca building.
Wilson, who owns Swanky’s Taco Shop and Cheffie’s Café, often stages live music events at his taco shops and knows how music can not only entertain, but also bring people together — even when staying apart at home.
Four days later his dream became reality.
On Sunday afternoon, more than 12,000 people tuned into Facebook Live to watch the Memphis band Walrus perform for two hours from the rooftop of the Chisca building in Downtown Memphis.
Wilson chose the Chisca building for two reasons. First, it’s the home of his Downtown restaurant, plus the historic building is a Memphis landmark with strong music ties. The Chisca was the home to WHBQ, the radio station where DJ Dewey Phillips debuted Elvis Presley’s first recording of “That’s Alright, Mama.” Presley also later performed at the Chisca in 1956.
Wilson has named the virtual concert series #dontletmedownmem. The inspiration for the name was The Beatles’ iconic “Don’t Let Me Down” rooftop performance.
All proceeds from the series will be donated to Slingshot Memphis, a nonprofit that “aims to create a demonstrable reduction in poverty by promoting a results-driven poverty-fighting ecosystem.”
“I hope to raise $10 million,” said Wilson, who is funding the concert series out of his own pocket.
“Matt’s prophetic vision is expanding Slingshot’s growing movement of people and organizations hellbent on creating the greatest impact possible,” said Justin Miller, chief operating officer of Slingshot Memphis. “This unique and timely partnership involves both data and heart — two ingredients necessary for mitigating the many challenges being faced by our under-resourced neighbors.”
More than $5,000 was raised during the series’ first concert on Sunday. Listeners can go to dontletmedown.org to make online donations.
#dontletmedownmem will live stream a performance from a local band or artist from the Chisca’s rooftop every day. The original plan was to air concerts at 2 p.m., but Wilson said he is considering moving the concert time to 5 to 7 p.m. during the work week.
Wilson and his team are making sure the virtual concert series is following all the COVID-19 safe-distancing guidelines. No more than 10 people (that includes camera operators and band members) are allowed on the roof at the same time, and everyone must stay at least 6 feet apart.
People are encouraged to watch the concert online versus coming to the Chisca.
“There was a very clear directive from Matt to make sure that we were set up on stage not too close to each other,” Walrus lead singer Dan Shumake said. “The whole idea is to keep us players safe as well as our audience safe since we can’t gather. For me it was an excellent antidote to quarantine as I was able to see my friends and play music with them again.”