According to the Houston Chronicle Dome Blog today, a group has organized an October 1st concert benefitting hurricane victims to be held at Reliant Stadium and featuring some fairly large names in the music business.
Only problem I can see is that those performing will likely hold very little interest for the victims even if they can get into the building
Here is the official word from the Chron…
On Oct. 1, Reliant Stadium will be the site for concert featuring George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Martina McBride and ZZ top.
Tickets, which go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster locations and online, run between $39.50 and $125, with a limited number of $1,000 VIP packages available.
The concert was announced this afternoon at a news conference with fundraising specialist Carolyn Farb; promoter Louis Messina of the Messina Group and AEG; Shea Guinn, president and general manager of Reliant Park; and Paul Somerville, chairman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Ok, maybe I’m not exactly hip to the kids these days, but my guess is that a line up of old rock bands and country music stars isn’t going to be of much interest to the victims who are living right next door.
Why you ask? Well, nearly all of those still stranded at Reliant Park and the George R. Brown Convention center are African American and, unless I missed something, a line up choc full ‘o country stars just doesn’t seem like it would be a big deal to the average evacuee.
I have quite a few black friends and they’ve agreed with me on this one. Now, granted, this is more about the people who will pay the $40 to $1000 ticket prices than it is about the victims, but at most of the events held here in town (the NBA Charity Game, for example), large numbers of evacuees were invited to participate to get their minds off of their suffering for a little while.
I’m thinking if you really wanted to give them something to rally around AND raise money for the cause, why not try to get some stars from the R&B community. Hell, start right at home with Destiny’s Child. A one-time, last gig, reuinon of DC would no doubt pack the house. Add a few other rap, hip hop and R&B acts and you have a packed house in an instant as well as a show that would make the evacuees feel really at home.
But, I shouldn’t be surprised since the benefit was organized by Carolyn Farb, one of Houston’s socialites – is that really a job? – and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I mean, bless them for doing their part, but no one would ever accuse them of having their fingers on the pulse of urban culture.
I hope it raises some cash. No doubt it won’t raise much enthusiasm among the sufferers at the Dome.