Vic Chesnutt Celebration of Life Concerts Planned

Posted on Feb 2nd 2010 7:20PM by Benjy Eisen
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During his life and throughout his influential career, Vic Chesnutt always had a number of musician friends in high places -- he was covered by everyone from Madonna to Smashing Pumpkins and he collaborated in the studio with an intimidating list of esteemed artists that's too long to get into here. Most recently, his band -- in the studio and on the road -- included members of Fugazi, Godspeed! You Black Emperor and Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra.

In the aftermath of his tragic death this past Christmas, many of those friends will join together for two nights at the 40 Watt Club in Chesnutt's home base of Athens, Ga. for a pair of shows called, "The Vic Shows: A Celebration of Vic Chesnutt's Life and Music." The shows will take place on February 19 and 20. Some of the participants include Victoria Williams, Lambchop, Todd Nance (Widespread Panic), Guy Picciotto (Fugazi), Dave Barbe (Drive-By Truckers - producer), Kelly Hogan and Will Johnson (Centro-Matic). A full list of the performers and additional information may be found by clicking here.

The 40 Watt Club is a fitting place for a celebration of Chesnutt's life -- after all, it was one of his many shows at that venue, in the late-'80s, that brought him to the attention of R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, who became a fan, a supporter and a friend. Chesnutt was a paraplegic since surviving a car crash when he was 18 and, in the months leading up to his death, faced a devastating amount of health care debt, despite having health insurance. These shows promise to be an emotionally-charged send-off to a much loved American singer-songwriter.