Clayton Miller Blues Band, Michael Kelsey show support at Crisis Center concert
Whether soothing a stressed-out office worker, giving solace to a frustrated teen or providing therapy for a songwriter, music has been known to help people in tough times.
For the past 17 years, music has helped volunteers in Greater Lafayette who help people in their time of need. The Crisis Center’s annual Spring Benefit Concert offers top musical talent from the region, with proceeds going to the center’s 24-hour services including the Crisis Line, the Teen Crisis Line and in-person counseling.
Michael Kelsey and the Clayton Miller Blues Band will co-headline this year’s show at 8 p.m. today at Duncan Hall, 619 Ferry St.
Crisis Center Executive Director Cheryl A. Ubelhor said the concert is the center’s biggest fund-raiser. It was created when area musicians volunteered to help the organization continue its round-the-clock services.
Ubelhor said last year’s concert drew in $1,500. The Crisis Center has been counseling people for more than 30 years and receives 25 to 30 calls a day from those seeking help.
Today’s show will mark the first time since 1986 that singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer is not on the bill. Newcomer’s hectic touring schedule kept her from this year’s event. The concert was also moved from the spacious Long Center for the Performing Arts to Duncan Hall for a more “intimate” vibe.
Kelsey opened for Newcomer in recent Crisis Center shows and is happy to once again take the stage for a good cause.
“When the community comes together, it’s always a great feeling in the room,” Kelsey said.
Often compared to Dave Matthews in terms of music genre, Kelsey prefers not to be pigeon-holed. While he blends in elements of rock and funk in his music, Kelsey likes making music at the spur of the moment and not thinking about it too much.
“The spirit of the music is much more interesting than the style of music,” Kelsey said. “It’s more fun that way to wait until the last second than being totally prepared.”
Kelsey is mostly billed as a solo performer, but he often rounds up a group of friends to join him on stage. Most likely, percussionist Dennis Leas and vocalist Tevi Tarler will give Kelsey a fuller sound today, but anyone in the audience with an instrument could get a crack at performing with him.
“If somebody had a sitar in the audience, we’ll try and make it work,” said Kelsey, who is “anxious” to release another full-length album in a couple months.
The Clayton Miller Blues Band is riding the wave of its successful debut album, Live at Duncan Hall. The Crisis Center show is just one of dozens of local dates the band has booked this season.
Guitarist and vocalist Clayton Miller said the band,comprised of his two younger brothers, Cole and L.D., on drums and harmonica, respectively, and his dad, Larry, on bass, is looking forward to helping the Crisis Center.
“Our band always wants to help the needy out and help raise funds for any good cause,” Miller said.
While the blues is generally preferred by older audiences, the Millers’ brand of the blues is a touch more rocking than most groups thanks to the energy of the two teen-agers, Clayton and Cole, and 9-year-old L.D. The Millers recently hooked up with a booking agency and plan a college tour in the fall.
“Every time we play here in town for college kids it goes over really well, and playing for other colleges would be a good way to get our name out real quick,” Miller said.
If You Go
WHAT: The Crisis Center’s annual Spring Benefit Concert featuring Michael Kelsey and the Clayton Miller Blues Band
WHEN: 8 p.m. today
WHERE: Duncan Hall, 619 Ferry St.
HOW MUCH: $15, $12 in advance. The Crisis Center, CD Land, Java Roaster, McGuire Music, Murky Waters and Von’s Records
