Compassion, community and cool music is what this show is all about.
Cee Cee James and her band are on a mission for Mighty High Music.
That’s the label James has given to a new series of performances she and her band are presenting. The shows will not only bring communities together for a good time, but also give back with donations to local causes.
The first official show of the Mighty High tour is the “Soul Revival Roadshow” from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 12 at Greenbank Farm.
The fun includes a potluck, an opening show by local youth band Indigo and a hard-rockin’ blues show with the Cee Cee James Band.
Transition Whidbey will be the first community organization to reap the benefits of the Mighty High Music tour, with 50 percent of tickets sales going to support the nonprofit, and the rest going to fund future road shows and the Washington Blues Society.
Transition Whidbey’s mission is to catalyze the community to work toward greater food, energy and economic self-reliance in response to predicted resource and energy constraints.
It’s a good place to start for a musician who has a mind to help change the world.
James has had the idea for some time. Her goal is to use the healing power of music to bring awareness for change to create a more compassionate paradigm in the daily lives of people.
“When we release the horrific amount of stress and anxiety building up in our lives through the simple, but extremely effective, modalities of music, dance and singing,” James said, “we can begin to see a shift.”
James said she believes in the power of people sharing stories of survival, hope and strength while, at the same time, creating a continuum of “giving back,” with the support of all individuals — struggling or otherwise — lending their help to local charities.
It’s a simple concept, James said.
“Peace begins in the heart,” she said.
If one measures the compassion in a single heart by the power of a voice, then James’ certainly has a lot to give.
Her music pours out the history of the everyman’s tortured soul who has come full circle to a place of peace.
Mighty High Music is an extension of what James started long ago: the need to show how a body can heal through song. Just go to her Web site and listen to any one of the tracks on her two latest releases “Low Down Where the Snakes Crawl” or “Seriously Raw” and it’s evident that James has come out on the other side of pain with the help of her music.
Her music is no slouch on the popular charts, either.
James has garnered rave reviews with songs on her recent albums, which have been perched in the number-one spot on the Washington Blues Charts for nine weeks. Her songs have also risen to number eight on the National Blues Charts.
“Music is an age-old artistic work that brings people true release, joy, truth — it makes them want to dance and feel good, and helps them through many challenging moments in life,” James said.
“Music is, in our opinion, ‘mighty high’ and deeply worthy of support. We welcome yours,” she added.
The bands request that everyone bring a potluck dish to share in keeping with the community spirit of the event. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase at the farm.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and are available in advance at 1504 Coffee Bar and Llynya’s in Freeland, Island Angel Chocolates and the Whidbey Island Soap Company in Langley, Eric Conn’s produce stand at the Saturday Tilth Market, Cedar Moon Flower Stand at Bayview Farmers Market, Craig Weiner’s office at the Sears House in Bayview, the Transition Whidbey office and with a click here. Tickets will also be available at the door.
For more information and for potluck coordination details, call 360-730-1886 click here.
For info about Transition Whidbey, click here.
