The NAMM Foundation has done it again. As Creedence Clearwater Revisited makes its way through a final revival tour, their stop at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California on September 25 proved that there is indeed magic in music. The special “Concert for a Cause,” raised a total of $236,000. That money will provide musical resources to foster youth in hopes of giving them a brighter future.
Travelin’ Band
The band’s founders and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Doug “Cosmo” Clifford (drums), along with Stu Cook (bass), have joined with Dan McGuinness (guitar/vocals), Kurt Griffey (guitar), and Steve Gunner (keyboard), to form the present incarnation of Creedence Clearwater Revisited.
Before the band took the stage, a VIP cocktail hour was held, allowing time for guests to mull over the items that they wanted to
The museum’s intensive one-on-one music program at San Pasqual Academy helps teens to become confident, productive, contributing, educated, and successful adults. San Pasqual Academy’s music programming provides individual lessons, group steel pan drumming workshops, and opportunities for students to explore careers in the industry. Money raised at the concert helps support these efforts. An annual investment from the museum also helps cover the cost of educational tours for Title 1 schools, as well as hands-on music programs for adults, seniors, students, and children.
Hey Tonight
The evening’s live auction boasted a list of exceptional items to bid on as well as a few once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Nearly 400 music lovers gathered with hopes of taking home something special, while also giving back. Items up for auction included an exclusive behind-the-scenes VIP tour (not open to the public) of Pixar Animation Studios, a full-course private dinner for eight cooked by a team of firefighters, an ultimate Legoland VIP experience for four, and a magical Disneyland Resort experience for four.
The big treat of the night, apart from the concert, came in the form of Henry Diltz. He is a rock ‘n’ roll photographer known as the “official photographer at Woodstock.” Diltz was a founding member of the Modern Folk Quartet before eventually landing behind the lens. He kicked off his career with an album cover for The Lovin’ Spoonful. Diltz’s career now spans four decades. His work is in the spotlight on hundreds of album covers as well as being in books, magazines, and newspapers. Just hearing his name conjures up visions of iconic images that highlight artists like The Doors, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jimi Hendrix, to name a few.
Diltz was onsite, with his camera in tow, to auction off a couple of priceless items of his own. His famed photograph of Paul and Linda McCartney that graced the cover of Life Magazine in 1971 sold for thousands. On top of that, he will be part of a unique experience involving dinner at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The dinner for six was part of a package that also made Diltz your personal photographer. It includes candids that Diltz will take during the dinner and a private showing of his personal photography slideshow.
The Midnight Special
For an extra special treat, NAMM President and CEO, Joe Lamond, made an appearance on stage. “So many kids who get to go through the Museum of Making Music (MoMM) and so many kids at the San Pasqual Academy will now have music because of your generosity,” Lamond pointed out. “Could you imagine what one of those kids might do to change the world?” he pondered aloud.
After that, Lamond told the tale of a ten-year-old kid in upstate New York who dreamed of playing the drums. The story centered around a boy as he received his first drum set. His father then brought him a copy of
Moments later, the band came out to play some of the very songs that Lamond learned roughly 40 years ago. “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” and “Long as I Can See the Light” were among them. “Up Around the Bend,” from that same album, concluded the night. The band also broke out other favorites including “Proud Mary,” “Green River,” and “Bad Moon Rising.”
The entire evening was a classic rock dream. While the sounds of another time filled the room, conversations about Woodstock were had, and fans of all ages danced in the aisles as they recited the lyrics that clearly shaped their love of music.
Up Around the Bend
The night was one of many in a long list of success stories for the organization hosting the event. Previous MoMM fundraisers have featured other popular musicians including Graham Nash, Mavis Staples, Herb Alpert with Lani Hall, and more.
You can visit the NAMM website for additional information. Music industry professionals have a lot to be excited about moving forward. The 2020 NAMM Show will soon be taking over the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, California from January 16-19.
Published on The Burn-In.