Frogsback for the Foodbank takes place Friday night at Exchange
Frank Hart is a Regina-based businessman who, by day, is the president and CEO of Greystone Managed Investments. When the night arrives, Hart wields the guitar for the blues-rock band Frogsback.
The band is composed of other members of Regina's business community and musicians. Through connections they have made in the business world, they have been able to raise tens of thousands of dollars for charitable causes in the city.
Tonight, they will take the stage at the Exchange. The show — Frogsback for the Foodbank — originally aimed to raise $20,000. When Hart sat down with The Morning Edition, that goal had been surpassed and raised to $30,000.
"I didn't think anybody wanted to come and see a whole bunch of old people play so we have to do it for charity to get people out," Hart joked of the band's origins.
Frogsback's modus operandi is playing for a good cause. The band has been in existence since 2005 and their first benefit gig was the Regina Leader-Post's Christmas Cheer Fund and word spread from there, he explained.
They would later play a show for the Regina Food Bank after PotashCorp said it would match every dollar donated.
"That really gave us an incentive to go after it," Hart said.
What started as business acquaintances and partners curiously wanting to see them play blossomed into audiences willing to come out for a good cause.
Now, Frogsback and the Regina Food Bank are teaming up again for tonight's gig.
"Just having the privilege of being able to work in the business community, to get in touch with people who have the ability to donate and so we want to take advantage of that for a good cause like the food bank," Hart said.
Tickets are $25. They can be purchased at the Conexus Arts Centre box office until 1 p.m. After that, tickets will be available at the door.
