Dave Grohl, Sammy Hagar, the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, and Daryl Hall are among the performers set to play John Oates' “Song Fest 7908.” The show, led by Oates and wife Aimee, is a joint effort by FeedingAmerica.org, Nugs.net and Drive Entertainment Group to benefit FeedingAmerica.
The streaming event will take place on March 20th, free of charge on multiple Internet platforms and will include a donation component for viewers to support www.feedingamerica.org, whose mission is to support food banks across the country.
Other artists on board to perform are Jim James, Keb Mo, Shawn Colvin, Michael Franti, Big Kenny, Malina Moye, and Jim Lauderdale.
John Oates said in a statement announcing “Oates Fest”: “This will be an entertaining and innovative way for the music community to share their songwriting creativity in an effort help feed Americas’ hungry families in need.”
John Oates told us that he and Daryl Hall first shared the stage with the Grateful Dead in 1988 after Bob Weir invited the duo to perform at his Rainforest Benefit Concert in New York City: “We played with the Grateful Dead. It's in all their tapes that they circulate around. And it may have been the weirdest combination to ever hit the stage. But I'll never forget standing next to Jerry Garcia, 'cause I didn't know him very well, I happened to casually, just to make small talk with him, I say, 'Hey Jerry,' I said, 'Y'know, what are you guys gonna play tonight?' He goes, 'This is the Grateful Dead, not the f***ing army.'”
