On an otherwise cold and dreary Friday night, a group of 8 North Kingstown’s talented teen musicians warmed the ears, hearts and souls of everyone in attendance at local North Kingstown High School.  The event was the 2nd North Kingstown Teen Musician Open Mic Night.   In organizing the event, my goal was to help shine the light on some of North Kingstown’s very talented musicians, singers, and songwriters.  In addition, to find a worthy local or Rhode Island charity to donate money towards.  I encouraged the musicians and their fans to bring in a small donation in an effort to give back to their community members in need.  The charity of choice for this event was the annual school fundraiser “Pennies for Patients.”  And this event, like its predecessor in November for the North Kingstown Special Olympics, was a huge success in so many ways.

I contacted Deb Watterson, Campaign Manager at the Rhode Island Chapter for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society about our event about a month ago.  Deb was so supportive of the event, posting to her website and Facebook page.  And, I was so thrilled that she took the time out of her busy schedule to come to the event.  Deb spoke to the crowd and the teens about the importance of this fundraiser and where the donations would be going to.  Deb sat in with the crowd and took some great photos and videos of the musicians.  I wanted to say a huge Thank You to Deb Watterson for her efforts and all that she does to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

One by one – some with a band mate, some singing solo, others as duets – the musicians performed brilliantly.  The confidence, talent, musical range, and sheer enthusiasm of each performer was palpable in the room.  Guitar players, piano players, drummers, even a ukelele player all graced the crowd with their presence.  Singers performing hits from major artists such as Alicia Keys, Adele, Led Zeppelin, as well as original compositions of music treated everyone in the audience to an absolutely fantastic show.  I, like most in the crowd, just kept saying “wow these kids are absolutely amazing to listen to.”

The names of the musicians – Morgan, Abbey, Spencer, Dominic, Mateo, Nathan, Jaycee, Sophia.  Every one of them should be so proud of what they accomplished and at such a young age.  To play in front of not only your family but your peers and in near flawless fashion, is something to be cheered and I congratulate all of these musicians.   Most if not all of the musicians played several songs and were happy to go up again and again to perform.  And the family members and friends in the audience were thoroughly entertained by every single one of them.

In the end, the Rhode Island Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be getting a donation from these musicians in the amount of $180.  This money will be presented to Wickford Middle School’s Vice Principal, Brian Lally to go towards that school’s “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser totals.  I want to thank all of the fans, the musicians, Deb Watterson, and North Kingstown High School for helping make this event a huge success.

For more photos and videos of the event, you can go to my Facebook page, The North Kingstown Marketing Company.

IN THE COMMUNITY LOCAL EVENTS