Be Good to Yourself is fiscally sponsored by the 501c3 organization, Abundance NC. It was created by musicians and social activists in the Triad, Charlotte and Triangle areas to raise much-needed awareness and funds so we can help give our musicians access to mental health care and substance abuse counseling services when they need it most. In times of crisis and in times when they just need someone to talk to.
To accomplish our mission, we are partnering with Mindpath Care Centers to provide mental health and substance abuse counseling – free of charge or at greatly reduced rates – to North Carolina musicians. Mindpath has facilities in all major markets across the state.
Mental health and substance abuse issues touch all of our lives. And during 2020, it has touched the North Carolina music community like never before. We see our artists struggling with anxiety, depression and much more. Not only because of the pandemic itself, but because it has effectively ended live performances, cut off sources of income and killed livelihoods.
Everyone in the Asheville, Charlotte, Triad, Triangle and Wilmington music communities knows someone who has died from suicide or overdose. Or simply struggles every day with mental health. We see their posts on social media about depression and anxiety and their lack of health care coverage and money to help with counseling and treatment. And then there’s drug and alcohol dependency.
An investment in our music community.
If you would like to sponsor a musician for a week, month, year or more, or if you would just like to make a one time or ongoing contribution, here’s how you can help:
We believe that our North Carolina musicians are treasures. They enrich our lives and make our state a better place to live. When we lose an artist, we not only lose their talent, we lose a human being. Someone’s son, daughter, father or mother. A friend. Let’s not allow depression, mental illness or substance abuse to stop the music.
Let’s start helping our artists be good to themselves.
*All sponsorship funds go into Be Good to Yourself’s not-for-profit account, and Mindpath Care Centers are paid directly for their services. Neither Be Good to Yourself’s board members nor musicians touch the money.
Be Good to Yourself: the record
Recording has been ongoing since October 2019, primarily at Old House Studio in Charlotte, and we plan to release a compilation record (digital, CD and vinyl) in mid-2021. The record will contain 27 tracks recorded by North Carolina musicians for North Carolina musicians. You can pre-order the record here (LINK)
A who’s who of North Carolina musicians contributed their time and talents to the record:
Ed Bumgardner – concept, co-producer, arrangements, bass
Rob Slater – co-producer, arrangements, electric & acoustic guitars
Chris Garges – co-producer, arrangements, engineering, percussion, keys, mixing Gino Grandinetti – arrangements, guitars
Larry Carman – arrangements, percussion
James Vincent Carroll – bkng. vox “We Got It”
Sir Alan Cox-Allen – vox “Getaway Car”
Don Dixon – vox “We Got It”
Maya Beth Atkins – vox “Essence”
Doug Davis – keys, vox “Be Good To Yourself”
Mike Strauss – vox “Dreams That Shone Like Diamonds”
Tim Gordon – all saxophones
Brad Wilcox – all trumpet
Joey Recchio – solo gtr. “Free To Go”
Peter Holsapple – keys, writer “Away With Love”, vox “There Was a Light” Roberto Orihuela – vibes “The Saint of Lost Causes”
Molly Brown – tuba “You Are Sacred”
Josh Daniel – vox “Free to Go”
Shana Blake – bkng. vox “We Got It”
Shawn Lynch – bkng. vox “There Was a Light”
Rick Miller – vox “Thunderbird”
Mary Huff – vox “Thunderbird”
Steve Stoeckel – vox “Thunderbird”
Libby Rodenbough – strings & vox “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?”
Britt Harper Uzzle (Snuzz) – writer “Getaway Car”, vox “Away With Love” Bruce Hazel – writing “Sooner Or Later”, vox “Pills”
Mitch Easter – solo gtr. “There Was a Light”
John Elderkin – gtr. & vox “Late”
Ron Brendle – string arrangements “Late”
Jane Brendle – violin “Late”
Marlene Bolaina – cello “Late”
Matt Darcy – viola “Late”
Danielle Howle – vox “Sooner Or Later”
D (David) K Kim – drums “You’re So Rude”
John Harrell – drums “Not Tonight”
Jack Cornell – vox “You’re So Rude”
Jeffery Dean Foster – gtr. & vox – “Ruby Beach”
Ava Foster – vox “Ruby Beach”
Billy Livsey – keys “You’re So Rude”
Terry Anderson – writer “Thunderbird”, vox “Younger Face”
Peter May – writer, gtr., vox “Short Flight To Jordan”, “You Are Sacred” Bruce Piephoff – vox “Saint of Lost Causes”
Jaime Hoover – bkng. vox “Better Things”
Brett Harris – vox “Better Things”
Elena Rogers – bkng. Vox “Better Things”