FODfest is an annual concert tour honoring the life & ideals of the late Wall St. Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. In addition to being a journalist, Danny was a talented musician who played a variety of instruments including violin and mandolin. Wherever he traveled and lived, Danny was actively involved in the local music scene.
FOD stands for Friends of Danny and the concert tour features many of the musicians who played in bands or jammed with Danny while he was alive, as well as many who never knew him but connect with his story. FODfest is a unique concert format: part song-swap, part jam session. Most of the participating musicians are meeting for the first time on stage.
Danny was a firm believer in the power of music to bring people together regardless of ethnic, religious, cultural, or economic differences. FODfest celebrates that ideal and is part of the Daniel Pearl World Music Days which is organized by the Daniel Pearl Foundation, which takes every October in celebration of Danny’s October 10th birthday.
FODfest is in its fourth year and is organized by musician, songwriter, and producer Todd Mack, a former band mate and close friend of Pearl’s. Dates & venues for the 2008 tour will be announced soon. FODfest is open to the public, and in lieu of an admission charge, donations are collected at each performance. While FODfest is not a fundraising event nor a non-profit organization, it very much a non profit making venture. Making a profit on the tour is not what this gig is about. Having said that, the out of pocket expense to organize, produce, and promote a tour like this is well into the tens of thousands of dollars, even with nearly everybody involved donating their time. Van rental, fuel, lodging, food, recording & filming equipment & supplies, venue fees...the list is a mile long and adds up quickly. Can you help offset our expenses to help FODfest continue to exist and grow? No matter how small or large, we are grateful for whatever you can do. Click on the paypal button below to make a donation with your credit card or via your pay pal account. Or you can send a check to: FODfest, PO Box 1190, Sheffield, MA 01257. Thank you for your support.
If you are a venue interested in hosting FODfest '08, please contact Skyline Music.
Hey Todd, That's so cool that you were able to catch the show at the EARL. It was actually our first club gig. Glad you enjoy the CD, too. We'll keep you updated...let us know when you make it back down to Atlanta--we'll buy you a beer! --Get Small
Thanks for the friending. We did not know Danny, but as Atlantans and fans of Ottoman Empire, we feel his loss profoundly. Thanks for keeping the spirit alive. -Get Small
Wanted to say thanks again for having me this year. It was great meeting everyone and sharing some terrific moments, onstage and off. Just say the word next year and I'm there!
Hi, Todd & Lynnette & Andy & Will & Dave ~ I couldn't possibly put it any better than Caroline did. What an awesomely inspiring night...thank you *so much* for having me. It was an honor esp to be able to sing "Wade in the Water" at the end of the evening with such unbelievable harmony from everyone onstage & in the audience (Mr. Chad on the lowdown bass) Wow !! My heart is warmed & I'm happy to know you're spreading the love down south of here :-)
Todd, Lynette, Will, Dave, (I hope I got that right), you have created such a sweet gathering in Danny's name. Our night together last Sat night (Oct 18) at Smith's Ol Bar in Atlanta was one of the kindest, most honorable group of people, thanks to Danny. We all knew him in one way or another, and to hear everyone's thoughts and stories concerning Danny touched me deeply. Thank you for what you are doing. It brings community and music for the spirit together in one bittersweet basket. ONE LOVE Caroline
Thanks so much for visiting my page, and welcome! Pleasure to be here amongst your music and your circle of friends.
Click here to watch David's newest rehearsal video HALLELUJAH with a chance to win an autographed photo, or you can find and all his latest information here: DAVID HABBIN's BLOG
David's latest vocal demo PAPER AIRPLANES is up in his MySpace music player, once again with lyrics by the talented, award winning American songwriter ROBIN LERNER. Be sure to read the interview that Robin and David did at LITPARK. COM about their previous collaboration on MORNING SONG
Check out our new Album: Resist Temptation Available on Amazon. com and iTunes. com 10/7/08! Gypsy Jazz at it's finest. Consists of new original songs and amazing cover songs by the likes of The Band, Velvet Underground, Tom Waits, Steely Dan and more!
Hey, Thanks for the request and for finding my music. Feel free to stay in touch. You can download, for a limited time only, "Peace", "Joy" and "Do I" free from my myspace page! --Millie
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