Allen is co-hosting with singer/songwriter Lauren Monroe
Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen and singer/songwriter Lauren Monroe are hosting a virtual benefit concert for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which provides financial assistance to the millions of music industry professionals who are out of work due to COVID-19. On Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST, the first Big Love Benefit Concert will stream globally on nugs.net with tickets on sale now.
Both Allen and Monroe will take the stage with the Big Love Band, some of the world’s most talented musicians. Poison frontman Bret Michaels will give a special introduction. Guests include performances by Billy Idol, Tommy Shaw of Styx, Wynonna Judd, Miles Kennedy, Matt Sorum, Clayton Q and the Allman Betts Band. Special messages by Chicago, Sammy Hagar and other guests round out this star-studded concert.
“We endeavor on a daily basis, through our music and through our 501C3 Raven Drum Foundation Project Resiliency to serve, educate and empower people and communities recovering from crisis,” remarks Rick Allen. “We cannot envision a more important and useful way in which to give back than this benefit concert.”
“To further spread our mission of the past 20 years of unity and inclusiveness, we released the EP Big Love in July and are collaborating with other charities and artists who have a voice and message of healing,” states Monroe. “We will perform the song in this virtual musical benefit. Big Love is a powerful anthem for this moment in time with 100% of the proceeds from “Big Love” having been donated back to the Raven Drum rapid response fund.”
Allen and Monroe are fierce and vocal advocates for social justice and many years ago founded the Raven Drum Foundation and Project Resiliency, two highly acclaimed undertakings that promote healing and growth for veterans, individuals and families facing trauma and difficult life circumstances.
Live music venues have been completely shut down due to the pandemic. They were the first to close and will be the last to re-open: this has caused unprecedented emotional and financial stress on countless professionals in the industry. This concert will provide immediate assistance to these special people who make our live music concerts the magical experiences they are and will be again as live musical performances come back.
“We have been experiencing tragic stories of suicide that are greatly impacting our music community and we are compelled to help. That is our mission, and we will be there every day: to do what we do here at Project Resiliency,” the Sweet Relief organization says.
Exclusive #biglove merchandise will be offered during the show, along with a way for patrons to pledge a donation, and bid on coveted rock-celebrity donated items to help support the cause. Auction items include a Billy Idol signed army jacket, an Allen-signed Yamaha drum set, virtual meet and greet with Florence & the Machine and more.
