Traverse City’s The Alluvion to host benefit show for Michigan’s ailing Seth Bernard

Friday’s all-star concert at the new northern Michigan listening room will feature a “community” of the respected musician and Earthwork Music founder’s friends. The details at Local Spins.

 

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As guitarist, Hoxeyville Music Festival founder and longtime friend Jake Robinson puts it, Seth Bernard’s “love, bravery and intent are unmatched.”

“He has taught us all how to kindly be the light, be the right kind of rebels and be the change we want to see in the world,” Robinson said of the northern Michigan singer, musician, songwriter and Earthwork Music collective leader.

So with Bernard facing rehabilitation and recovery from Lyme disease and debilitating back issues, a dozen of the musician’s friends have rallied forces to unfurl a special benefit show on Friday at Traverse City’s Alluvion concert venue.

“(Bernard) has been forced to take the next few months off to focus on rest and recovery. Our goal was to do what we could as a collective to help ease the burden financially given the loss of income and additional costs of medical treatments,” Robinson said.

“This project was headed by Tony Roth, Sam Cooper and a number of other Earthwork members. They have done an amazing job securing the venue, artists to perform and all the production logistics.”

Friday’s benefit show will feature a who’s who cast of Michigan musicians, including Robinson, Cooper, Jon Timm, Frank Youngman, Michael Beauchamp, Micah Middaugh, Laurel Premo, Misty Lynn, Mike Savina, Saxsquatch, Chris Bathgate and Brian Koenigsknecht.

The “group of friends” will perform some of Bernard’s music, along with cover tunes and songs that the performers hope will inspire Bernard “to keep up the quest,” Robinson said.

“Life gets hard for us all sometimes, but knowing we have a community and network of people to lean on can bring such comfort during these moments in life. We are grateful for Seth. His leadership, art and tender heart inspire us all in ways that it’s hard to put into words.”

Earlier this year, Bernard began to battle serious back issues and later was hospitalized several times for gastritis, anemia, intense pain and sleeplessness. The Kalkaska County resident eventually was diagnosed with Lyme disease – a severe bacterial infection stemming from a tick bite.

The health issues forced Bernard to cancel an ambitious album-release tour this fall to promote his latest studio recording, “Unrest and Rest.” (Read more about Bernard’s health issues and his new album at Local Spins here.)

“I have to be patient with the process and manage my tendency to push,” he said during an August interview. “I am downshifting and leaning into trusting the process and leaning into my community’s love and support.”

Part of that community has united to raise money for his recovery on Friday. “Come on out to see Seth blush,” a promotional social media post proclaims. “Many hugs guaranteed.”

The 7 p.m. show at The Alluvion, on the second floor at 414 East 8th St. in Traverse City, is a “pay what you can” event with proceeds going to Bernard’s GoFundMe campaign. Fans can also donate online at gofund.me/0d8d4685. As of Monday, about $17,000 had been raised toward a $30,000 goal.

Revisit Local Spins coverage of last month’s Earthwork Harvest Gathering hosted by Bernard.

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