Downchild is live streaming its show with Dan Aykroyd to benefit Unison
In celebration of Father’s Day and what would have been the final date of the legendary Downchild Blues Band’s 50th anniversary tour, the band is streaming is Live At Massey Hall concert in its entirety as a FREE SHOW for fans on Sunday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET, all in support of a very important cause: the Unison Benevolent Fund. The show will be available for viewing for one night only at https://www.youtube.com/c/DownchildBluesBand.
Downchild were joined on stage by some very special guests for it historic Massey performance, including Hollywood star Dan Aykroyd, blues/rock icon Colin James, American blues legend James Cotton, Grammy Award winner Colin Linden, Montreal’s chart-topping rocker Jonas and the one and only Wayne Jackson of The Memphis Horns.
For a sneak preview of the concert take a look at “Soul Man,” featuring Dan Aykroyd performing alongside Downchild:
Donations to Unison in conjunction with the Downchild concert can be made by texting UNISON to 45678 or visiting UnisonFund.ca/Donations/Spotify.
All donations made to Unison will be matched by Spotify as part of the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project that has been created to amplify the efforts of organizations that focus on helping those most in need. Spotify will match donations made to Unison dollar for dollar up to a collective total of $10 million USD.
The Unison Benevolent Fund is a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. They are there to help professional music-makers in times of hardship, illness or economic difficulties. For further, information on Unison and the great work they do, please see https://www.unisonfund.ca/about/mission.
“We are honoured to be able to support a great cause like Unison that truly takes care of our own in supporting Canadian artists and Canadian music industry professionals in this difficult time,” said Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh. “Like so many people across the country and around the world, the music community has been hit hard by the pandemic.”
Downchild came to international prominence as the inspiration for Hollywood stars Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi’s hit film The Blues Brothers. In fact, two Downchild songs, “Shotgun Blues” and “(I Got Everything I Need) Almost” were even covered on The Blues Brothers’ 1978 multi-platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues.
“There would be no Blues Brothers if it weren’t for Downchild,” Dan Aykroyd has said.
2018 Juno Award winners, Downchild includes some of the most well-respected musicians in the country, who have performed together for over 25 years. They Include lead singer and harmonica player Chuck Jackson, tenor saxophonist Pat Carey, drummer Mike Fitzpatrick, bassist Gary Kendall, and keyboardist Michael Fonfara, of Rhinoceros/Lou Reed fame.
