The 7th Annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit at the Town Hall

Three-time Grammy Award winning folk/country/rock singer-songwriter Steve Earle has a son, John Henry, who attends the Keswell School, an educational program in New York City for children and young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Starting in 2015, Steve Earle began what became an annual concert series benefitting the school, performing with his band, the Dukes, and many of his musician friends. Bruce Springsteen, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nile, Matt Savage and the Mastersons helped raise more than $150,000 by performing in this year's benefit concert.

The Mastersons

As the lights dimmed, Earle welcomed the audience and introduced the Mastersons, Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore, and the Brooklyn-based husband and wife alt-country duo performed two songs. Matt Savage, an autistic savant pianist, performed three original instrumental compositions unaccompanied. Willie Nile rocked three songs with the Dukes, joined by Earle. Rosanne Cash performed with her husband, John Leventhal. Earle then introduced "John Henry's newest friend," Bruce Springsteen, who performed four songs backed by the Dukes. Earle and the Dukes performed nine songs. The show concluded, as it has most years, with an encore featuring the entire ensemble singing Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Teach Your Children."

Matt Savage

Formerly known as the McCarton School, the Keswell School was founded on the belief that children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can live full and productive lives as integrated members of their communities. The Keswell School provides educational, therapeutic and supportive services for diagnosed children and their families.

Willie Nile

Willie Nile with the Dukes setlist

1. The Day The Earth Stood Still
2. Blood On Your Hands (with Steve Earle)
3. New York is Rockin'

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal setlist

1. Tryin' to Get Home (Reverend Gary Davis cover)
2. Long Black Veil (Lefty Frizzell cover)
3. Title unknown

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen with the Dukes setlist

1. Darkness on the Edge of Town
2. The Promised Land
3. Glory Days (with Willie Nile)
4. Pink Cadillac (with Steve Earle)

Steve Earle & the Dukes

Steve Earle & the Dukes setlist

1. Guitar Town
2. Someday
3. Mystery Train Part II
4. The Galway Girl
5. Copperhead Road
6. If I Could See Your Face Again (Steve Earle & the Dukes song, with Eleanor Whitmore on lead vocals)
7. So You Wannabe an Outlaw (Steve Earle & the Dukes song)
8. Hard Core Troubadour
9. Harlem River Blues (Justin Townes Earle cover)

Encore

1. Teach Your Children (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover, with Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nile, Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal, and Matt Savage)

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's December 2021 calendar.