2 Steel Girls from NBC's The Voice need your help!!

I first met Allison Steel in February at my first fundraiser Phil's Jam for FSHD. That night she gave me a copy of their first CD. I listened to it several times and was blown away. I still listen to it. "Forward" has become one of my all-time favorite songs.

We also had the pleasure of seeing them perform live at Puckett's in Columbia a few months back. I was so impressed!! that night I became a full-fledged fan of the 2 Steel Girls.

Last Sunday Allison, Krystal, Aaron and Todd Steel honored me by performing at my fundraiser, Phil's Jam for FSHD. They blew me away again. They just keep getting better and better. I had several people tell me after the event that 2 Steel Girls were their favorite of the entire evening. When they sang "Forward" and dedicated it to me...I have to admit I shed a tear.

So I am asking my family, friends and readers to do me a personal favor and help 2 Steel Girls get funding for their next CD. Click on the Kickstarter link below. We need the 2 Steel Girls in Country music. We need their talent, their style and their spirit. They are the real deal.

It's really simple to sign up for Kickstarter and pledge your support. I have backed a few projects and it really makes you feel like you are making a difference.




Please help them get to the next level!!

Love and peace,

Phil

Phil's Jam for FSHD in 1 day!!!

Phil's Jam for FSHD was an idea I have had in my head for a long time. Why not gather some amazing talent, put on a great show and raise money for FSHD research all at the same time? With the help of Wild Wing Café and my family. I was finally able to make it happen back in February. The 2nd Phil's Jam for FSHD is in 1 day and I couldn't be more excited.

Here is the talent line up so far:
Singer/Songwriter Harlan Pease. Boston native that really knows how to write a song and play a guitar. Heck of a nice guy too!

Singer/Songwriter CT Robinson. He's a little bit rockabilly, a little bit country and a whole lot talented. He's also my Cousin.

Singer/Songwriter Dani Flowers. Her lyrics will move you. She's a blend of Dolly, Patty Lovelace with some Lee Ann Womack thrown in.

Singer/Songwriter Aubrie Sellers. She has a retro country blues vibe that is really great. So much fun to watch, which is the mark of a true entertainer. And she is also a great songwriter.

Singer/Songwriter Anna Johnson. I'm in awe of this girl's songwriting, arrangements and singing. She has such emotion and passion wrapped up in her lyrics. Plus my Grandson Gavin loves her CD. That's a huge vote.

Singer Maureen Murphy and Seygo. This group's high-energy, Rhythm and Blues sound will win you over right away. I've seen them live and was totally impressed. This is a really talented group of people.

Vocal Duo 2 Steel Girls did very well on Team Blake of the NBC TV show The Voice. Since then they have been playing shows all over the country. I am so honored to have them join the cause. They really know what they are doing.

Last but certainly not least, vocal group Loving Mary.  When you lock four accomplished songwriters in a room, magic tends to happen. Born one night out of that magic was the band Loving Mary. Rebecca Lynn Howard, Suzie McNeil, Elisha Hoffman and Marti Frederiksen fuse their talents and experiences together into four-piece harmonies that dip from Americana to Country with a spin of Alternative.

I would say that I am thrilled to have such a line up. Don't miss this show!!

See you Sunday at Wild Wing Café in Franklin, TN. The music starts at 2:20pm and goes all day. Here's a link to the event page. Follow me on Twitter at @philbennett or @philsjamforfshd.

Peace, joy and great music,

Phil

Life with FSHD...Thirty-something and concerned.

I have recently been posting about what it is like living with FSHD or fascioscapulohumeral dystrophy. I would like to continue this theme. I have already blogged about my teen years and my twenties.

My thirties were fairly uneventful when it comes to FSHD. My muscles were still fairly strong and I could still be as active as I wanted to be. I did start noticing weakness in my legs. Stairs had become more of a challenge and a hand rail became my best friend. I remember when I was in college and I was working at a convenience store. I was walking across the parking lot to go home and dropped something on the way to the car. I squatted down to pick it up. Unfortunately, it was a major struggle to get back up. I didn't realize my leg muscles had gotten to that point. That's when I started to think about the future. What if it gets worse? What if...? I couldn't think about that.

Even though I was noticing weakness and feeling vulnerable for the first time in my life, music was still bringing joy to my life. But lugging around a truckload of drums and sound equipment was getting much harder. I knew there would come a day when carrying my drums would be a thing of the past. I started really trying to learn the guitar, because they are much lighter than a drum set. Guitar has become a central part of my life since then. So some good was coming out of all of this.

In my mind back then I knew that if I stayed positive and didn't worry about what the future looked like, good things would happen for me. I still hold those beliefs today. I stay focused, positive, happy and live each day as much as I can. I'll post more later about my forties up to present day.

Until then, keep peace in your heart and a smile on your face.

Phil
P.S. I used the FSH Society logo for this post because it was about this time in my life where someone out there just like me was founding this charity. Thanks to organizations like the FSH Society, we will have a cure soon.