Last night, September 8, I had the chance to see Kevin Montgomery perform for the first time. Kevin and I became friends on MySpace close to a decade ago via a mutual friend and have since stayed in touch on Facebook and Twitter. We’ve had discussions on the music industry and music in general but I had never gotten to see him…until yesterday. He is currently on his fourth ‘50 States in 50 Days’ tour, and the stars (and my procrastination) aligned last night, allowing me to attend day/show sixteen in Illinois.
It’s always nice to meet someone whom you’ve corresponded with for a long while, in some capacity. There’s that slight sense of comfort that accompanies the first ‘hello’ in such situations, and given how personable Kevin is, it made for a wonderful evening for myself and the entire audience.
A variety of songs from his repertoire were performed, with the emphasis being on his newest record, ‘Some Comfort’. Joining him on the tour is Belfast singer Ruth Trimble who is showcasing songs from her debut album, ‘Things I Want To Say’ which could not be more stunning.
While Montgomery and Trimble are extremely talented, the true star of the tour is the cause for which they’re on the road raising awareness. The Orange Duffel Bag Foundation.
The Orange Duffel Bag Foundation assists youth in foster care and those who have aged out obtain the skills necessary to succeed and follow their dreams.
Terrifying statistics from the Orange Duffel Bag Foundation:
- Within the first six months of aging out of foster care, 50% of youths end up homeless.
- In the US, 50% of youths age out of foster care without receiving a high school diploma or GED.
The tour still has 34 stops left. To find out when Kevin will be in a city near you, check out his tour dates http://www.kevinmontgomery.com/tour-dates/
For info on the Orange Duffel Bag Foundation http://orangeduffelbagfoundation.org
And definitely get acquainted with the lovely Ruth Trimble, she’s amazing!
As their official spokesman, Kevin Montgomery narrated this mini documentary. Please do take a moment to watch it.
