On Tuesday, June 23, 2015, The Charleston Pour House and members of the Charleston music community hosted a gathering to heal with the power of music. "Don't Tell Me This Town Ain't Got No Heart" was a benefit concert to raise money to help cover the funeral costs of those killed in the June 17th tragedy at the Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston, SC. The name of the event is a reference to a line in the well-known tune "Shakedown Street" by Grateful Dead. The purpose of the event was to provide a place for the Charleston community to gather, restore faith and raise money for the shooting victims' funerals, their families and the church through the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, established by Charleston's Mayor Joe Riley.
Over $30,000 was raised through ticket and alcohol sales, cash donations, and the live auction, which included over 200 donated items, including a rare, signed Widespread Panic poster that went for $4,000. With 80 all-star Charleston musicians and 20+ businesses gathered together, the event turned into a mini day festival, which sold out in 3 hours to 800 people. After the event sold out so quickly, The Charleston Pour House found a way to stream the event live, for free, to the general public. 1800 people tuned in around the world to the live stream. Widespread Panic used the live stream as their house music between sets at their show in Jones Beach, NY. All Pour House staff worked for free; many musicians cancelled paying gigs to participate in the event. Area businesses quickly joined together to sponsor the event, including Lee Distributors, Terrapin Beer Company, Lagunitas, Southern Eagle, Snyders Event Rentals, Holy City Brewing, Sweetwater Brewing, Charleston Distillery, Get Rigged Lighting, Miller, Coors, Home Team BBQ, The Windjammer, Diageo, PBR, Brooklyn Beer and Constellations.
The vibe on and off the stage was heart-felt and electric. The lineup included bands Dangermuffin, Sol Driven Train, Gaslight Street, Josh Roberts & The Hinges, Dead 27s, Manny Praise Team, The Reckoning/ Rodeo Clown, Travelin' Kine, The Lowhills, Guilt Ridden Troubadour, HoneySmoke, and many more on two stages, often calling up members of other bands to sit in in the spirit of camaraderie. The music was uplifting, including songs "Shine a Light" by Rolling Stones, "Live Forever" by Billy Joe Shaver, and even a song written for the victims by Dead 27s. The mission of the shooter was to divide Charleston and create a race war, but exactly the opposite happened at The Charleston Pour House. Instead, the community united to create a music fellowship. Charleston music heals.
About The Charleston Pour House
The Charleston Pour House is Charleston, SC's premier music venue located at 1977 Maybank Highway on James Island. The venue hosts more than 300 concerts per year on the main stage, as well as daily, free performances on the outside covered deck. Every Sunday from May through July, the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market is held at The Charleston Pour House with kids' activities, food trucks and local produce and crafts stands.
The Pour House and the adjacent restaurant, The Lot, recycle all glass, plastic, paper and metal. All food waste is composted by Charleston County. The two venues divert over 5 tons of recyclables and compost a week! The venue is also a former winner of Home Grown Music Network's "Venue of the Year" award!
