The Destroyers' coming to help rebuild Vermont

In response to the damages inflicted on the state of Vermont in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, The Paramount Theatre, in a partnership with I Am Vermont Strong, (a campaign developed to raise funds, awareness and spirits as a result of Hurricane Irene) is announcing that a portion of the proceeds of the 3 scheduled September concerts at The Paramount Theatre are now going to directly benefit victims of the recent devastation ($5/ticket purchased after 9/8/11). The 3 concerts, featuring Blues Traveler (9/23), George Thorogood and The Destroyers (9/24) and Keb Mo (9/27), are now all a part of the I Am Vermont Strong Benefit Concert Series.
What started out as an attempt to create a viral Facebook campaign with an image and a strong message of hope has turned into a successful fundraising effort for disaster relief organizations. A young Vermont couple, Lyz Tomsuden and Eric Mallette, two native Vermonters now residing in Rutland, created the I Am Vermont Strong image with the simple intention of manufacturing good energies out of a bad situation.
"We really just wanted to see if we could help show the world that we Vermonters are a unified front in the battle against the devastating losses suffered by our state in the recent hurricane." commented Eric Mallette.
"From there, it kind of went crazy!" added, Lyz Tomsuden, who created the image. "First we noticed everyone we know on Facebook was changing their profile pictures to the 'Vermont Strong' image. That’s when the requests for t-shirts started pouring inâ ¦.by the hundreds!"
Eric went to work, building an online e-commerce site and marketing virally on Facebook (facebook.com/VermontStrong). With help from the owners of Rutland, Vermont's Awesome Graphics (who agreed to print the shirts at their cost), the duo is hoping to generate as little overhead as possible, affording Vermont Strong the opportunity to write the largest check possible to disaster relief.
To date, more than 3500 t-shirts have been sold at www.IAmVermontStrong.com.
Monies donated from The Paramount Theatre to I Am Vermont Strong will be distributed to Vermont disaster relief organizations.
‘I am Vermont Strong is an important movement. It delivers tangible results to those in need and exemplifies the best of the human condition in the face of tragedy. We at theParamount are thrilled to be able to partner with this formidably positive venture. Come out, see great music and help those in need! Particular kudos to both Eric and Lyz for their vision and indefatigable energy in delivering these amazing results.’ commented Bruce Bouchard, The Paramount Theatre’s Executive Director.
Blues Traveler ‘ 9/23 ($39.50 - $49.50 plus tax): When Grammy Award winning Blues Traveler's harmonica wizard John Popper plays, there is no question that the sound coming out of the other end is filled with sheer heart and soul. Blues Traveler has earned a massive fan base with their distinct brand of high-octane rock infused with jazz, blues and funk. Having played more than 2,000 live shows, they have lived up to their name, traveling long and far for their love of the blues. Still going strong, the boys are back to their roots, jamming with that "live spontaneity" you can only experience at a live show - and audiences love it!
George Thorogood and The Destroyers ‘ 9/24 ($49.50 - $59.50 plus tax): George Thorogood and the Destroyers released their self-titled debut album in 1977 and quickly established themselves as radio favorites and as a touring machine. Described as "the world's greatest bar band," the group has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide and has had tremendous success with Thorogood's original compositions like "You Talk Too Much," "I Drink Alone" and of course "Bad To The Bone;" he's also had hits with covers of iconic blues-rock songs like "Who Do You Love" (Bo Diddley), "Move It On Over" (Hank Williams) and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" (John Lee Hooker). Thorogood's Gold-certified Greatest Hits: 30 Years Of Rock was Billboard's #1 Blues Album for 2004 and 2005, and the band's 2006 album, The Hard Stuff, reached #2. 2009's The Dirty Dozen debuted at #1 on the Blues chart, fueled by the album's #1 single, "Tail Dragger."
Keb’ Mo’ ‘ 9/27 ($34.50 ‘ $54.50 plus tax): A native of South Los Angeles, singer-songwriter and guitarist Keb' Mo's music is a living link to, and a very modern update of the Delta Blues. Across 10 acclaimed releases since 1994, his music owes as much to contemporary singer-songwriters like Bonnie Raitt or Jackson Browne as to the spirit of blues musicians like Robert Johnson that dwells in his work. His distinctive sound embraces pop, rock, folk and jazz, as well as the blues. The common threads running through his work are wit, humor and great storytelling. Over and over he demonstrates the power of music to convey human experience and emotional weight. A 3-time Grammy Award winner with 4 more nominations and 10 Blues Music Awards to his credit, Keb Mo is the not to miss music event of the season!
Tickets are available now by phoning The Paramount Theatre Box Office at 802 775-0903. Tickets and more information may also be found online at www.ParamountLive.org or at The Paramount Theatre Box Office at 30 Center Street.
The Paramount Theatre, a registered 501(c)3, is located at 30 Center Street in historic downtown Rutland, Vermont.