Another Drew Glackin Tribute/HINT Benefit

A few weeks ago, we told you about a pair of Raleigh, North Carolina memorial concerts for Drew Glackin, the multi-instrumentalist and bassist for Americana heroes The Silos. Drew passed away last January from a treatable illness that didn't get diagnosed because he lacked health insurance. Organized by Drew's friends, the shows raised more than $3000 for Drew's family and FMC's Health Insurance Navigation Tool (HINT).

Another tribute to this much-missed musician takes place on June 5 — this time at True Endeavors, a socially-engaged Madison, Wisconsin music venue. The concert — which features The Silos and Portland, Oregon's Weinland — will also raise money for HINT. Click here for venue and show info; here for the club's blog post about the event.

And check out this article that just ran in Madison newspaper The Isthmus.

Musicians are smart about a lot of stuff — equipment, booking, making new fans — but many overlook the importance of health insurance. If you're a musician who wants to know your options, visit the HINT website to schedule a one-on-one phone appointment with another musician (who happens to be a health insurance expert).

Benefit for the Family of Drew Glackin and HINT

In January 2008, Drew Glackin, an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist and bassist for The Silos, died at 44 of an extremely treatable disease because, like so many working musicians, he couldn't afford (or thought he couldn't afford) health insurance.

Drew's friends want to do something in his honor, but for them, the never-ending story of musicians organizing benefit concerts to help ailing peers has gotten pretty tired. Everyone pitches in and works really hard; bands play for free. But the next morning, after the money has been counted and handed off, people are left to ponder the marginal dent they've made in the enormous debt that accumulates so quickly when the uninsured get really sick.

So Drew's friends and associates have decided to hold a benefit that does a little more. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go directly to Drew's family to help cover funeral costs and medical bills, and other half will benefit FMC's HINT (Health Insurance Navigation Tool) program — an initiative that provides free, professional guidance to musicians seeking advice about health insurance plans.

The two-day event, entitled Get the HINT: a Future of Music Coalition Benefit Concert in Memory of Drew Glackin will serve as a tribute to a great musician and friend. The event will also raise awareness about FMC's HINT program, which helps musicians navigate the health insurance landscape and find workable health insurance solutions.

If you're in the Raleigh, NC area, we encourage you to attend this weekend of events and show your support.

Saturday, May 3, 2008: The Pour House, Raleigh, NC
Tres Chicas (feat. mini Hazeldine reunion w/Shawn Barton)
The Silos
Chip Robinson w/Heavy Beat Outlet
Patty Hurst Shifter BJ Barham
Quarry Hill
Chris Mills
Tandy
Glory Fountain
Port Huron Statement

Sunday, May 4, 2008: Sadlacks, Raleigh, NC
Chip Robinson w/Heavy Beat Outlet
Kenny Roby
Lou Ford
Joe Swank & the Zen Pirates
The Cartridge Family

Proceeds will benefit the family of Drew Glackin and the Future of Music's HINT program.