Country Roads on its 25th year bringing music and hope to children
View(s):International artistes, the Mavericks, Astrid Brook and Bob Livingstone, are back on February 17, along with our very own stars Mariazelle and the Cosmic Rays
By Duvindi Illankoon
Country music heals. Perhaps no one knows the healing power of country music better than the organisers of ‘Country Roads’, the country’s longest running concert series celebrating its 25th year. The Country Roads concert will be held this year on February 17 at the Colombo Hilton, uniting the mellow tones and heart plucking guitar chords of the genre to raise funds, as always, for a vital cause.
Speaking at a news conference to announce the event, President of the Country Music Foundation Feizal Samath emphasised the power of country music to unite generations and awaken the senses. The Country Music Foundation (CMF) was founded with the joint objectives of spreading the joy of the genre and to raise awareness and funds for particular causes affecting children.
“The first Country Roads concert was a one-off event, as most things start off as,” Feizal said. “But eventually this has evolved for 25 years to become possibly the longest running concert in the South Asian region. Our main goal is to link people who can with those who can’t. We bring together well-to- do individuals and corporate organisations to raise money for these young children, and over the years I’m glad to say that many of these individuals have gone on to become involved in their own projects with our beneficiaries.”
This year’s concert aims to raise funds for a UNICEF-Government project to build three courthouses for children. UNICEF Country Representative for Sri Lanka Reza Hossaini highlighted the urgent need for young individuals who come in contact with the law to do so in a safe and secure environment. The average time period a child spends facing a court case is almost six years, sometimes longer, he added. It was important that we provide a secure system for this process. The concert aims to raise Rs. 1 million for the cause.
Themed ‘A Voice for the Voiceless’ this year, Country Roads will see a selection of stellar local and international country music talent perform on behalf of the cause. The Mavericks, Astrid Brook and Bob Livingstone will return to the stage from the international arena; as will local favourites Mariazelle and the Cosmic Rays who’ve been performing since the inception. Livingstone, a Texan cowboy whose heart was captured by the little children on his previous visits is eager to take part once again. “…seeing firsthand the work Feizal and his organisation are doing was a great opportunity for me to try and give something back,” he said. “So now I’m coming back, all the way from Texas, and I’m proud to be part of this effort to support Feizal in his important work and to play at the 2013 Country Roads concert.”
Country Roads will be held on February 17 from 6.30 p.m. onwards at the Hilton Colombo Grand Ballroom. Tickets priced at Rs.750, Rs.1000 and Rs. 1500 are available at Cargills Food City outlets in Rajagiriya, Nawala, Staples Street, Majestic City, Kirulapone and Mount Lavinia.
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