Newcap Radio and Bell Media are coming together to host the Fredericton Strong Benefit Concert on Oct. 6, following tragic events earlier this month that left four people dead including two police officers.
The all-star line-up will feature acts spanning rock, pop and country from coast-to-coast, but also shine a spotlight on East Coast talent, including Matt Mays, Matt Andersen & The Mellotones, Classified, Neon Dreams, and Tristan Horncastle.
Singer/songwriter David Myles, who hails from Fredericton, will act as host and MC, in addition to support from in-market talent from Bell and Newcap stations.
Organizers expect up to a dozen Canadian artists to share the stage over the five-hour event to pay tribute to first responders and bring the community closer together.
“The big goal for me is at the end of the night the community feels strong,” said Steve Jones, VP Brands & Content, Newcap Radio. “I have this vision at the end of the night of all of these musicians on the stage together singing together and 3,000 people are singing along. It’s about tapping into the healing power of music.”
Proceeds from the concert will be donated to three key support services who helped those impacted immediately following the Aug. 10 shooting deaths – The Canadian Red Cross in New Brunswick, The Chalmers Foundation and The Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick.
Jones says after reaching out to a few musicians, the idea took on a life of its own and it only made sense to bring Bell Media on board.
“If we went ahead on this and didn’t invite Bell to be an equal partner, we would be doing the community a disservice,” said Jones. “In the face of this tragedy, we’re all one.”
Jones says staff from both companies have been working together to secure hotels and book ground transportation. The two companies already have an existing working relationship nationally with Bell Media Radio Sales repping Newcap ad time.
Additional performers will be announced in the coming days. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. on the Aitken Centre website and at the Aitken Centre box office.
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