The Contribution performing - photo by Anne Cutler
The Contribution performing - photo by Anne Cutler

The Contribution’s “The Great Boot” to benefit nonprofit Conscious Alliance

Conscious Alliance works to solve the hunger crisis in America

by Miles Hurley

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A few years ago, a dynamic new supergroup called The Contribution came together to make incredible music, with an extra motivation behind it: use the music to give back to those that need it most.

Fronted by Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, the group features the serious talents of String Cheese Incident bassist Keith Moseley, the New Monsoon’s Phil Ferlino and Jeff Miller, Widespread Panic’s Duane Trucks and Everyone Orchestra founder Matt Butler on drums, and vocalist Sheryl Renée.

This year, The Contribution is releasing is their second album, entitled Wilderness and Space, and, true to their band name, is releasing this second effort to the world in an extraordinary manner. Every month, starting last month, one new track will be released, the sales from which will go to support a particular non-profit organization.

The result is 10 awesome new tracks, and 10 really amazing organizations benefitting from those tracks.

Last Friday, the supergroup released the second track of the series, “The Great Boot,” and sales for it are going to support Conscious Alliance, an incredible nonprofit that has been fighting the fight of hunger in America for years now.

Beginning in 2002, Conscious Alliance was founded by a number of people passionate about food justice–the organization’s mission since day one has been to utilize the forces of fan bases and communities of people to bring food to those who need it the most.

“The first food drive was 15 years ago this month,” Justin Levy, the organization’s executive director, says, “and it was with The String Cheese Incident at The Fillmore… and it brought in a thousand meals, and the second food drive brought in 8,000 meals.”

While they do many different types of successful projects over the years, from their Bring Nutrition Home Backpack Program, to their education of young people in growing and sustaining their own food supply, one of the organization’s really successful efforts in the music world has been Art That Feeds, a project that has touring bands’ artists creating posters and other art that fans can donate food to purchase.

As Justin tell us, it’s the fan bases that are a fundamental part of the organization’s mission.

“People do want to contribute, people do want to give back locally. It’s about making it easy and accessible, and effective for folks,” he says.

And since they’ve started, the organization has partnered regularly with many different bands, including Sound Tribe Sector 9, Umphrey’s McGee, Thievery Corporation, and also become regular part of festivals like Wanee, Electric Forest, and others.

“The idea,” Justin explains, “is to engage people in the middle of their good time, and provide them an outlet to give back locally in each city where the music plays.”

So, there wasn’t a second thought when they were approached by The Contribution to be a part of this unique project.

“Tim Carbone has been a huge supporter of Conscious Alliance for many years,” Justin says.

“[He] reached out to us as they were getting ready to launch, and said ‘We love Conscious Alliance, and we’d love to continue the support through this program.”

“The Great Boot” is a doozy of a track, echoing both the epicness of something like “Terrapin Station,” and the folky, rich tones of a Railroad Earth tune. The last few minutes launches the song into a powerful climax, fronted by some inspired fiddle playing from band leader Tim Carbone.

“It’s a pretty special collaboration and we’re very lucky and honored to be involved,” says Justin.

Purchasing a wicked cool new track, and getting to contribute to an amazing cause while doing so? It’s a definite win-win all around. 

Buy “The Great Boot” and support Conscious Alliance by clicking HERE.

To submit a review or story for consideration hit us at [email protected]

Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.