Tom Jackson launching online benefit variety show for musicians affected by COVID-19
Like so many people right now, well-known actor, singer and philanthropist Tom Jackson said he feels overwhelmed by the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're all very much feeling the weight of this crisis … and it's very depressing," Jackson said on the Homestretch.
Jackson jokes that in a glum moment he considered putting his Christmas tree back up to awaken some joy, but "that was a little more work than I actually wanted."
Despite this, Jackson did what he's always been able to do — get out of those moments and focus his energy on a way to help.
The question he and his wife, Alison, put their minds to answering is, "How do we create health versus managing disease?"
After noticing how many of their connections in the music industry were struggling due to things like cancelled tours, they finally landed on the idea of hosting concerts.
The series of benefit concerts featuring Canadian musicians will aim to support those in the industry negatively affected by COVID-19.
From his home base in Calgary, Jackson called connections like Jeffrey Remedios, the president of Universal Music Canada and Paul Dornian, the president and CEO of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, to help bring the project to life.
The resulting product, the digital variety series Almighty Voices, will launch the first of 12 episodes on April 5 at 10 a.m.
Each hour-long episode will be pre-recorded and released periodically until June 21.
"The messages that we're delivering, along with the music and the entertainment and the laughs, [is] this show is infused with creating health and making people happy," Jackson said.
Canadian artists such as Whitehorse, Susan Aglukark, Chantal Kreviazuk, Myles Goodwyn and Terra Lightfoot are already on board for the project, and Jackson said the list is growing. Canadian actress Cythia Dale is also confirmed.
All the artists taking part have been contributing from their home studios.
"Our community here in Canada is showing some solidarity in helping themselves help others," Jackson said.
It has taken 14 to 16 hours a day of work to put together Almighty Voices, Jackson said — perhaps more effort than putting up a Christmas tree — but said, "There is not a moment that is not filled with joy."
Asked whether he will be hosting the event, Jackson replied with trademark humour.
"I was trying to work myself out of being the host, but it's not as easy as I thought," he said.
"My world is really stories and songs and tomfoolery, and I'm more than happy to share that."
Donations generated by Almighty Voices will go toward the Unison Benevolent Fund, which offers counselling and emergency relief services to Canadian musicians.
That fund is part of the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project, and donations made through it will be matched by Spotify up to the collective amount of $10-million.
Artists participating in episodes will be compensated through Jackson's non-profit.
The first episode of the series can be viewed directly on the website and through YouTube.
