Staff report
Area musicians will gather at Covington’s Madison Live September 30 for a unique concert to raise money for Brighton Center’s Homeward Bound Shelter.
Organized by local musician Brian Martin, COVer LOVer will feature artists performing lesser known cover songs that have inspired them throughout their lives. Martin said the idea for the event stems from his own love of some not-so-popular pieces.
“My taste in music is quite varied so the list of songs I love enough to learn are as well,” he said. “Many aren’t your typical “fun” cover songs but they have a meaning to me. So I thought surely some fellow musicians that are limited to the cover catalogs we all know and love would like an opportunity to play some things that are personal to them.”
Marz Hall is one of several acts scheduled to perform during COVer LOVer (Photo from Facebook)
Martin organized a similar concert in 2018 at the Turnpike Tavern benefiting the Center for Great Neighborhoods. He’d grown up in the Wallace Woods neighborhood of Covington and developed a relationship with his neighbor and the center’s longtime director Tom DiBello.
“Tom DiBello does some great work,” Martin said. “I’ve seen the fruits of his labor help others so I wanted to help him.”
After connecting with friend Frank Hulefeld, who now handles bookings for the Madison Theater, the idea for COVer LOVer was born. Hulefeld hoped to find an organization benefiting young people, and the two ultimately decided on the Homeward Bound Shelter.
“I’d seen an article when he (Hulefeld) took over these responsibilities and how he wanted to put on shows like this,” Martin said. “Not too many people get in music expecting to make money, but we can make money for others and I thought this would be a great idea for a benefit for a Covington-based organization because the COVer LOVer name says it all.”
In addition to Martin and former members of the band Heroes and Madmen/Wallace Woods, musician Adam Sanders, and the band Marz Hall will also perform. Additional acoustic acts could be added prior to the show.
Martin is collecting donated items from area businesses to be raffled throughout the evening. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase during the event and items will be awarded based on a blind draw. A ‘split the pot’ will also be available, and a portion of bar sales will also go to the shelter.
Tickets for COVer LOVer are $10 and are available online via the Madison Theater website at madisontheater.com. As part of thier ticket purchase, all concertgoers will also be entered into a raffle for tickets to see Carrie Underwood.
Further event details and updates are available on the COVer LOVer event page on Facebook.
COVer LOVer
