Memorial concert to raise money and awareness about important issue.

Drew Glackin, 1963-2008

Drew Glackin was a helluva guy. An amazing musician and a friend to all he met, Drew was a member of alt-country legends The Silos, playing bass and pedal steel. He also recorded or toured with Tandy, Gingersol, Susan Tedeschi, The Hold Steady and Chris Mills, among others.

His death this past January just days after a sudden heart attack at the age of 42 is a damning indictment of our failed health care system. Like so many musicians, Drew did not have health insurance. Though bandmates, friends and family noticed he didn’t look well and even suggested he see a doctor, Drew avoided doing so, presumably for fear of what he’d find out.

Had he done so, the doctors would no doubt have diagnosed the thyroid condition that led to his untimely death, a death that left a huge hole in the hearts of his friends and family.

Something like 45 million Americans lack health insurance. The system is in crisis, and the issue is among the top concerns on the minds of the voting public heading into the fall elections.

We may not end up with the single-payer national health insurance system common in other industrialized countries, but major reform of some sort is likely if Obama wins in November.

Meanwhile, if you are an uninsured working musician, there’s help out there for you. Go to the Future of Music Coalition’s website to learn about their HINT program, Health Insurance Navigation Tool.

And come see The Silos perform live at High Noon Saloon on Thursday, June 5, early 6:30 start time, with special guests Weinland, a great band from Oregon.

We can raise a glass in tribute to Drew and raise some awareness…and money for a good cause.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the HINT program, in the hopes that the sad loss of our friend Drew will help others get the insurance they need.

Tickets are $15 and available online at www.trueendeavors.com or www.high-noon.com.

-Tag Evers

For more information about The Silos, go to: http://www.myspace.com/thesilos

For more information about Weinland, go to: http://www.myspace.com/johnweinland

Brought to you by Muzzle of Bees and True Endeavors.