From the press release:
The Muhlenberg Music Mission Board of Directors expresses its gratitude and thanks to all attendees, donors, volunteers, and local businesses which supported the Third Annual Benefit Concert on Sept. 1 at Lu-Ray Park & Amphitheater in Central City. Your generosity, hard work, and appreciation of the performing arts helped make this event a success and will greatly aid our organization in our mission to enable the young people of Muhlenberg County to learn of the great musical history and culture of our home.
Muhlenberg Music Mission was founded in 2021 out of the friendship of Muhlenberg residents Ben Duvall and Benjamin Tod. These friends found common interest in the rich musical history of our beloved county and a shared commitment to assuring the culture of inspired creation might continue well into the future. The two settled upon founding an organization not only dedicated to preserving our rich past but also to a mission of providing children with an opportunity to receive instruction from accomplished musicians, thus fostering the next generation of artists to further evolve the “Muhlenberg sound.”
This effort to create Muhlenberg Music Mission and conceive of its pathway to success is an ongoing work, but not one without tangible progress. Through the efforts of our volunteer board and supporters, since our founding we have realized the donation of a headquarters building on South Cherry Street in Greenville and the continuing renovations of offices and instructional space, as well as a growing network of future instructors and contacts within the realm of the so-called music industry. Yes, we are fortunate to have such a gracious network of supporters, but we feel this support speaks more of the love of music and Muhlenberg County, than it does of any single member of our Board. Muhlenberg County is a mythical place to so many music lovers across the globe and we are proud to connect with them in a common goal to teach our young aspiring legends in the making.
The Third Annual Benefit Concert was attended by more than 450 people from across the United States and locally, speaking broadly not only to the appeal of the show’s billing but also to the interest in our community. Lu-Ray made a wonderful setting for the evening, the history of the location punctuated by the passing trains of the P&L and a proud continuation of venues of historical importance following previous concerts at The Palace in Greenville and The Bard Distillery at the former Graham High School. We are grateful for the outstanding performances of Jake Kohn, and Muhlenberg County acts Matt Heckler and headliner Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band. These artists are beloved by their fans and it was evident in the support for the show.
As well, we extend our gratitude to the donors to the celebrity auction who graciously provided such items as passes for Healing Appalachia, autographed guitars from Red Clay Strays and Sam Barber, and autographed vinyl from Billy Strings and Charles Wesley Godwin. Other items of note included a handmade quilt by Board member Ashley Mae, rare autographed Lost Dog Street Band and Benjamin Tod vinyl, as well as special edition posters commemorating the Grand Ole Opry debut of Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band and the band’s rousing appearance at Lexington’s Railbird Festival. This auction raised nearly $7,500 behind the expert skills of auctioneer Brandon Ferguson.
We are also appreciative of the businesses who were on-site to provide food services to our attendees, as well as Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital EMS and Central City Police Department for their agencies’ efforts to keep everyone safe.
Thank you all for believing in the efforts of Muhlenberg Music Mission and helping this organization move forward in its goal of providing the next generation of Muhlenberg legends with the support and opportunities they so richly deserve
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