Tom Fisch, left, and Terry Wetton have grown their annual fundraising concert to a bigger venue. Photo by Tim Robison
In 2009, local musician Tom Fisch heard about a single father with young daughters whose power had been turned off. The dad was working two jobs, yet still struggling, and came to Interfaith Assistance Ministry, a faith-based nonprofit, for assistance via their Winter Heating Fund.
“The story just really touched me, and I wondered, ‘How can I help?’” Fisch shares. “Music is what I do, and I thought, ‘What if we did a fundraising concert?’”
He talked with IAM staffers, who loved the idea, then enlisted the talents of a friend and fellow area musician, Terry Wetton, along with Flat Rock Cinema’s Howard Molton to play the role of producer. A benefit was born.
Fisch typically plays a solo set of his own country-folk numbers, along with covers from singer/songwriters who’ve influenced him along the way, such as James Taylor and David Mallett, and tunes from the Great American Songbook. Wetton will also play solo, both original songs and his well-known Beatles covers. The two will come together to play a set, too, which is sure to feature the Warmth of Home theme song they wrote three years ago.
This year marks the seventh event and a move to a larger venue in Trinity Presbyterian Church. Even so, it’s a good idea to get tickets early, Fisch and Wetton say, as the concert often sells out. That’s a good thing: All proceeds benefit IAM’s heating fund for Henderson County families — and the musicians have donated thousands of dollars to the organization since the annual concert began.
Although past concerts have been held in smaller, and, well, homier settings, the two are excited about the new location. “We can expect a larger audience as well as people who haven’t been before,” Wetton notes, “which means the opportunity to raise more for IAM.”
The Warmth of Home Benefit Concert happens Saturday, November 19, 7 pm, Trinity Presbyterian Church (900 Blythe St). $10. For more information or to get tickets, visit iamhendersoncounty.org or call 828-697-7029.
