Musicians Perform For Others

Kyle Ewing performs Monday evening to help feed those less fortunate.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The sounds of area musicians filled the local Smokey Row coffee shop on Monday evening, with the hope of filling hearts with joy and empty stomachs with much needed food.

Twenty-one year-old Kyle Ewing once again planned and scheduled the Holiday Fundraiser Show. This was the fourth year for the event. In its first year it helped in aiding those residents displaced by an apartment fire.

The next year, Ewing put on another show, “let’s keep that idea of helping people out, while supporting local music at the same time.” So his charity of choice was the Ecumenical Food Cupboard in Oskaloosa.

Ewing calls upon his musician friends, and other local acts to the event, including musicians from Ottumwa and Cedar Falls.

A special guest of the evening was Micah Leaverton. Leaverton, who was injured in a motorcycle accident, has recently been the focus of others reaching out to help him with medical and other expenses. So, this was his chance to take his turn at the mic to help, in turn, and give back to others. Ewing said, “it’s really special.”

Ewing said that Leaverton played a show with them over Thanksgiving, “he played, and this place was dead quiet. I’ve never ever heard it this quiet.”

Ewing, who now lives in Nashville, comes back to help put this on for his home community and support local music. “It’s about supporting community.” “I knew, even from day one, when I moved down to Nashville, come around this time, this show would be happening… whether I could be here or not. It was going to happen, I was going to put it together.”

Ewing took his turn at the mic on Monday as well. “Obviously, I’m very happy to be here. It’s my favorite show of the year.”