The Jerry Garcia Foundation invites everyone around the world to help raise funds for COVID-19 relief programs. Participants can generate funds for the project by listening to a new compilation album titled, “My Sisters and Brothers.” The album will be released Aug. 1 on the foundation’s OnlyLove record label. The music can be accessed on mobile phones and other digital devices via streaming platforms such as Spotify and iTunes.
All streaming proceeds will support the Jerry Garcia Foundation’s OnlyLove Relief Fund, which has designated to assist in COVID-19 relief. The following 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations will receive proceeds for their relief programs through individual grants: MusiCares, WhyHunger and the IBMA Relief Fund, an affiliate of the International Bluegrass Music Association.
In addition to the music, a giclée print of Jerry’s “California Mission” watercolor painting will be available for online auction on the Charity Buzz website. The painting was used as album cover art for this project.
An art booklet, complete with liner notes, will be available at the Terrapin Gallery.
“Music heals,” said a spokesperson for the Jerry Garcia Foundation. “It has the potential to lift our spirits and connect us with one another. It is our hope that this music will bring comfort where needed.”
The artists appearing on this album are members of the Jerry Garcia Band in its various incarnations from 1976 to 1990.
The “My Sisters and Brothers” track list includes the following:
- “The Wheel”
- “My Sisters and Brothers”
- “Palm Sunday”
- “I’ll Be With Thee”
- “Turtle Dove”
- “Who Was John”
- “Ride Mighty High”
- “Magnificent Sanctuary Band”
Album compiled for release at Joe Gastwirt Mastering.
The art booklet includes a liner-notes story titled, “The Magnificent Sanctuary Band,” written by Jesse Jarnow, author and WFMU radio host. Band personnel information was generously provided by Joe Jupille, University of Colorado social sciences professor and Jerry Garcia scholar.
Jerry’s daughter, Keelin Garcia, and his wife, Manasha, served as the project’s producers.
Filmmaker and director Justin Kreutzmann joined the production team and contributed his video for “The Wheel” as a complement to the first track on the album.
The nonprofit organizations receiving grants from this project have created relief programs addressing COVID-19 in addition to their ongoing charitable activities.
WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible and has focused on the growing hunger needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. MusiCares has concentrated on the music community, including composers, performers and other professionals affected by the pandemic. The International Bluegrass Music Association promotes the well-being of the entire bluegrass music community and has established the IBMA Trust Fund specifically to address the pandemic.
For additional information, please visit jerrygarciafoundation.org.
