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.
FODfest is a living celebration of community and friendship through music honoring the life & ideals of the late Wall St. Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was abducted and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002. In addition to being a journalist, Danny was a talented musician who played a variety of instruments including fiddle & mandolin, and was a classically trained violinist. Wherever he lived Danny was actively involved in the local music scene, and wherever he traveled he sought out local jam sessions. Danny was a firm believer in the power of music to bring people together regardless of their differences. FODfest celebrates that ideal through multi-media presentations and an annual concert tour that takes place every October as part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, which is organized by the Daniel Pearl Foundation.
FOD is an acronym for Friends of Danny and the concert tour features musicians who played in bands or jammed with Danny while he was alive, and many who never knew him but connect with his story and share his belief in music as a universal language. FODfest is a unique performance format: part song-swap, part jam session, part concert. Most of the participating musicians are meeting for the first time on stage. The entire tour is filmed and recorded and its message of hope is shared around the world through a variety of multimedia projects.
Now in its fifth year, FODfest has grown considerably from its humble beginnings as an informal backyard jam. FODfest founder Todd Mack is a musician, songwriter, and producer, and a former band mate and close friend of Pearl’s. FODfest co-producer Lynnette Najimy serves as tour manager and media producer, and together they work with a team of volunteers to produce the annual tour and related multimedia projects. All concerts are free and open to the public, and in lieu of an admission charge, donations are collected at each performance to help offset tour & production costs.
FODfest, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation. We rely almost exclusively on individual contributions. Tax deductible donations can be made with Paypal.
hi, how are you doing? i wanted to stop by your page and let you know what has been going on in my life.....the new album i just finished with charlie sexton in austin is available for pre-sale by clicking the banner at the top of my page.....i am in my hotel.....just left wisconsin heading to the south east....lots of great things are happening.....we just shot a new video in nashville, it is the single from the album .......hope you will check out both.....here is the link to the video....let me know what you think about it if you get a chance to watch it.....
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
