*(LOS ANGELES) For decades, the tradition of the Labor Day Rally was to watch the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on TV and hear stories of how he stayed up all night in an effort to raise money for a worthy cause. While that tradition died long ago, there are still people with needs including high profilers like Rachelle Ferrell, the wildly popular jazz singer.
An online telethon-type program premieres Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2023, at 11 AM PST on YouTube.com/EricJChambers (or watch it above). The video, produced by Ferrell’s longtime friend, Eric J. Chambers of The CUT Network, features a never-before-seen mini-documentary profile of the talented singer.
Because of medical, physical, and personal reasons, she has been unable to tour like most of her jazz mates. As a result, she is financially going through a difficult time.
To help assist her in this time of need, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, an Orange County, California-based nonprofit that assists musicians and others in the entertainment industry during rough patches in their careers has stepped up to help. To contribute, visit SweetRelief.org/RachelleFerrellFund. Or you may support by phone by calling 949-215-9620.
Bill Bennett, the president of Sweet Relief, told Chambers of The CUT Chronicles video show, that the campaign for Ferrell has gotten off to a good start.
“We help musicians who are struggling due to illness, disability, or age-related issues. Sometimes the issue is bigger than what we could do with writing a grant check. So, we created a fund for Rachelle to help her right now.”
Chambers, who has known Ferrell for 30 years, dating back to 1993, was moved after seeing the financial appeal on Facebook. It was then, he decided to create his own Labor Day YouTube-A-Thon (Labor Day Rally for Rachelle Ferrell) to help his friend.
“From the moment I heard her music in 1992, until now, I have been a huge fan of Rachelle’s. Not just the singer, but the person,” says the veteran TV and radio talk show host. “I am hopeful her fans and friends will rally behind this campaign to
help her in this time of need and accelerate her return to touring. This is also a way to give her flowers while she can appreciate and smell them.”
A Berklee College of Music legend, Ferrell first came into prominence on the music scene in 1992 and has received international acclaim for her six-and-a-half octave vocal skills. She has worked with some of the greats including the late George Duke, Lou Rawls, Anita Baker, Lalah Hathaway, and Will Downing to name a few.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund was founded in 1994 by a musician named Victoria Williams. While on the road opening for Neil Young, she learned she had Multiple Sclerosis.
“She also didn’t have health insurance, which was very common before Obamacare,” explains Bennett. “A bunch of her friends got together and did a tribute album called “Sweet Relief” which was a tremendous financial success,” he said in his Brea, CA office.
Rather than keeping all of the money, Williams launched the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund which assists fellow musicians and behind-the-scenes people in need. Tune in to the (Labor Day Rally for Rachelle Ferrell) video for more details.
RELATED NEWS ON EURWEB: Fundraiser for Rachelle Ferrell Launched Amid Singer’s ‘Health Hardships’
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