BigJohnny going ‘live’(stream) for COVID-19
Playing the blues from Laidlaw Memorial United Church to honour everyone affected by coronavirus
BigJohnny Blue is hosting a live music event at the Laidlaw Memorial United Church on Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m., with such musical guests as Charly Chiarelli and others, in honour of all those affected by COVID-19 and most particularly those who’ve lost their lives to it, as well as front-line workers.
During the concert, says BigJohnny Blue, a.k.a. John Crawford, president of the Hamilton
Blues Society, there will be no audience, and the musicians will keep a safe distance apart.
But the music will be heard and seen as it’s played, livestreamed on YouTube.
“Laidlaw Memorial United Church is a great music venue,” says BigJohnny who has played there before, as the minister, Rev. Douglas Moore, has encouraged the use of the historic space, which has good acoustics, for music and community centre-like gatherings.
“We just wanna play music,” says BigJohnny of the impetus for the event. Play it safely and in a proper place for music, not just someone’s home, and play it meaningfully for what everyone is going through, he adds.
“It’s for everyone who’s affected,” he adds. Which is everyone.
BigJohnny, who will be playing many of his original songs, will be joined not only by Chiarelli, famed Hamilton playwright and harmonica players, but also by Steve Ruddick on drums (he’s CHCH weather reporter) and acclaimed Mississauga actor Rod McTaggart, also on harmonica.
“Rod’s wife is a front line worker and has COVID-19,” says BigJohnny.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is being livestreamed on YouTube.