FIFTH ANNUAL “CONCERT ACROSS AMERICA TO END GUN VIOLENCE” GOES VIRTUAL
WITH JACKSON BROWNE, BONNIE RAITT, WYNTON MARSALIS, MELISSA ETHERIDGE, JOHN FOGERTY AND OTHERS
Nationwide virtual event October 7, 2020
(Boston, MA.) For the fifth-annual Concert Across America to End Gun Violence the concert will be a virtual livestreamed event with high profile talent like Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Wynton Marsalis, Melissa Etheridge, John Fogerty and others lending their voices to the gun violence prevention movement.
In a partnership with States United to Prevent Gun Violence and the MIC NYC, the Concert will be live streamed October 7, 2020 at 7:30 EST on the Concert Across America Facebook page and include an online celebrity auction. Bid on a Zoom meet, greet, and hang with Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, or actor Steve Buscemi or a one-to-one session with trainer Jillian Michaels.
The full line-up includes: Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, John Fogerty, Melissa Etheridge, The Bacon Brothers, Bobby Rush, Tank and the Bangas, Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi, Billy Strings, Camden Voices Choir, Carolyn Wonderland, Larkin Poe, Anders Osborne, and Cyrille Aimee.
Coalition partners and advocates will be holding watch parties to stay digitally connected during the COVID-safe event.
“In our fifth year, we are focusing once again on raising our voices to get out the vote on gun violence prevention,” said Concert Chair John Rosenthal. “One hundred Americans die and another 150 are injured with guns every single day and most gun violence is preventable. We just need our elected officials to prioritize passing effective laws and common sense regulations that have been proven to be effective at the state level without banning most guns.”
“I lost my niece in a domestic homicide. Taking action with this event during Domestic Violence Awareness Month seems like the perfect way to honor Becca’s memory.” said Charlie Allenson, the 2020 volunteer producer for the Concert Across America. “I would guess that the people who make the loudest noises about owning assault-style rifles, eliminating licensing and fighting universal background checks have never lost a family member to gun violence. I have. When you lose a family member you understand why commonsense gun legislation is, well, just common sense.”
“As a domestic violence survivor, I know firsthand the consequences of weak gun policy,” said Clai Lasher-Sommers, Executive Director of States United to Prevent Gun Violence. As a 13 year-old Clai was shot by her Stepfather with a high powered rifle. “This election we have an opportunity to vote for gun violence prevention and for saving lives. The Concert Across America will be an entertaining and powerful reminder about what is at stake in this election. We are so thankful for all the artists participating.”
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About The Concert Across America
In its fifth year, The Concert Across America will take place online on October 7th. Originally scheduled in 2016 to coincide with the Congressionally designated day of remembrance for murder victims (September 25th). This nationwide musical experience, spearheaded by Stop Handgun Violence in Boston, brings together a network of organizations, activists and artists to take a united stand against gun violence. For more information visit http://concertacrossamerica.org.