Artwork by Michael DiMilo
By Geoff Carter
I was recently invited to go to the recent Joey’s Song concert in Madison, Wisconsin, by my brother-in-law Michael DiMilo (also a gifted artistic contributor to the Pen in Hand). Michael had been asked to create some of his signature animations for the show, which is an annual benefit for epilepsy research. Funds from the concert also provides respite for families whose loved ones are suffering from the disease.
I went online and took a look at the star-studded lineup. It about knocked my socks off. Soul Asylum vocalist Dave Pirner, Garbage members Butch Vig and Duke Erickson, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen, Portugal the Man, Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!, The Silversun Pickups, members of The Bangles, Belly, The Posies, and dozens of other artists would be participating. As an added bonus, comedian Charlie Berens from “The Manitowoc Minute” would also be appearing.
A silent auction was also featured on the website listing signed guitars, photos, memorabilia, and other artifacts donated by musicians everywhere. Items donated by Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, Portugal the Man, and Eddie Vedder would be on the block as well as signed photos by the likes of Dustin Hoffman, sports memorabilia donated by Rollie Fingers, Cecil Cooper, and others. There was also to be a live auction.
We arrived on the night of the show and (of course) gravitated to the bar where I had a chance to meet Milwaukee’s own Greg Koch, an extraordinarily gifted guitar player and other member of The Nielsen Trust, who would be playing that night. We wandered through the beautiful Sylvee Theater, taking in the crowd, the atmosphere, some Spotted Cow, while I tried to get a handle on the scope of this project.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. At least a dozen different bands, musicians, and other assorted artists. Would egos clash? Would the logistics of the production (with dozens of musicians and their equipment) run smoothly? It seemed a monumental task, but it did not disappoint. I’ve probably (in my fifty some years of concert-going) never seen a more smoothly run or more harmonious (pardon the pun) group of musicians in my life.
The show opened with an acoustic group including members of The Silversun Pickups and Dave Pirner doing some originals and a cover or two, including “Naïve Melody (This Must be the Place)” by The Talking Heads. Our little group kept trying to identify exactly who was playing at any random time, but it was a daunting task with all the musicians onstage at any given time.
Then, The Know-It-All Boyfriends took on The Know-it-All-Girlfriends in a rather exuberant battle of the bands assisted by ex-Wisconsin Badger basketball great Brian Butch. The Boyfriends cranked out a great version of “Superfreak” and “Magic Carpet Ride” and were answered by The Girlfriends doing their own sizzling versions of “Hot Stuff” and “Kick Out the Jams”.
After the girls won (quite handily), various bands and incarnations of bands did some more sets. The Nielsen Trust performed a set of Cheap Trick’s greatest hits. The Silversun Pickups and Portugal, the Man each did very nice, although abbreviated, sets. The Peterson sisters of The Bangles did a great version of “Hero Takes a Fall”.
Charlie Berens of “The Manitowoc Minute” came onstage and did a short routine followed by “Ope”, a short and hilarious Wisconsinized version of “Hallelujah”.
The acts were interspersed with very spirited live auction bidding, featuring about a dozen celebrity-signed cowbells (no, they weren’t signed by Will Ferrell or Christopher Walken. Sorry) and more signed guitars.
Near the end, a group led by Portugal, the Man, and friends, did a version of “The Weight” as a tribute to the late great Robbie Robertson and brought it all home with a great rendition of Sly Stone’s “Everyday People” while Michael DiMilo’s uniquely idiosyncratic and whimsical animations played on the screen behind the stage.
I’ve never seen a show run so seamlessly. There were no long interruptions, the sound was great (quite a feat considering the number of singers, amps, and miked drum kits on stage), and the lighting was fantastic. The performers themselves looked as if they were having a great time. Members of The Girlfriends (Gail Greenwood in particular) and Boyfriends taunted each other mercilessly during the show. Some of the organizers’ and performers’ children performed with the ensemble, acquitting themselves beautifully.
Joey’s Song founder Mike Gomoll, whose son Joey passed away from Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of the disease, gave a heartfelt thank you to the performers, the crowds, the donors, the sponsors, and everyone else connected with the project.
It’s difficult to describe, but there was a vibe to this whole show—all four and one-half hours of it—that was simply beautiful. These musicians had set aside their busy schedules, flown in from around the country, and worked with other artists to participate in this marvelous extravaganza. There was a relaxed and cool feeling coming from the stage that seemed to permeate the whole building. We could see musicians in the wings cheering on their peers—their friends and dancing along to some of the tunes.
It struck me during “The Weight” how similar this was to The Band’s farewell concert, forever immortalized in Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz. There, too, dozens of famous musicians played with The Band to celebrate their farewell. Everyone gathering for a common cause, but Joey’s Song was about something bigger than one band (great as it was) or one career. It was about raising money for families and to help the greater good. Maybe that was the vibe I felt. Or maybe it was the gummies.
Joey’s Song was a roaring success, selling out the Sylvee and raising over $350,000 for epilepsy research. It was also refreshing to witness such a selfless and concerted effort dedicated to the greater good. I can’t wait until Joey’s Song 2025.
That show sounds wonderful. I hadn’t heard of it, but it may just be a Madison/Wisconsin thing. Some national acts though. My least favorite part of these tribute shows is when everybody involved comes on stage for the finale, all mouth-syncing and swaying back and forth to the most sentimental song. Ick. I hope they passed on that ritual.