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| Steve Earle, David Bromberg and Amy Helm |
John Henry Earle, the 13-year-old son of Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, has many friends, as demonstrated by all the musicians that have played benefit concerts for his school since 2015. John Henry was born in April 2010 and was diagnosed with autism before age two. Since age three, he has attended the Keswell School, an institution founded in New York City in 2003 to educate students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from preschool through age 21.
Nine years ago, the Keswell school was in financial straits, and Steve Earle came to its rescue by organizing what has become a series of benefit concerts. Since 2015, the three-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has raised awareness on autism and funds for the school through annual benefit concerts. Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne, Kurt Vile, Graham Nash, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Lucinda Williams, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, and many more country and Americana musicians have performed at these concerts.
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| Three-time Grammy winner Steve Earle hosted the 9th annual John Henry's Friends Benefit |
This year’s benefit featured simple sets by Steve Earle, John Mellencamp, Amy Helm, David Bromberg, and Matt Savage, none of whom played with full bands. Savage, who has opened many of these benefit concerts and has taught at the Keswell School, performed solo on the piano. Amy Helm was accompanied by two musicians on guitar and piano. Bromberg performed solo until his final song. Mellencamp performed with two backing musicians on guitar and accordion. Earle performed solo with just an acoustic guitar or mandolin. This year’s concert ended as it does every year, with Earle and the other performers singing Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Teach Your Children.”
As has been the case with each of the previous John Henry’s Friends Benefit concerts, all net ticket proceeds from this event will be donated to the Keswell School. Founded on the belief that children diagnosed with ASD can live full and productive lives as integrated members of their communities, the Keswell School provides educational, therapeutic and supportive services for children diagnosed with ASD as well as for their families. This means that the school uniquely offers 40 hours per week of therapy based on Applied Behavioral Analysis at a one-to-one student-to-teacher ratio.
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| Matt Savage |
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| Matt Savage |
Matt Savage Setlist
Downtown Flats
You Must Believe in Spring (Michel Legrand cover)
The Savage Life Chose Me
Tainted Love (Gloria Jones cover)
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| Amy Helm |
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| Amy Helm |
Amy Helm Setlist
Didn't It Rain ([traditional] cover)
Amen Anyway
(Unknown)
Atlantic City (Bruce Springsteen cover)
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| David Bromberg |
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| David Bromberg |
David Bromberg Setlist
Big Road Blues (Tommy Johnson cover)
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (Bob Dylan cover)
Watch Baby Fall
Helpless Blues (David Bromberg Band song, with Steve Earle, Amy Helm and Matt Savage)
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| John Mellencamp |
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| John Mellencamp |
John Mellencamp Setlist
Small Town
The Eyes of Portland
Longest Days
Pink Houses
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| Steve Earle |
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| Steve Earle |
Steve Earle Setlist
If I Should Fall from Grace with God (The Pogues cover)
The Devil's Right Hand
Someday
Guitar Town
Goodbye
Hometown Blues
Jerusalem
Transcendental Blues
Copperhead Road
Teach Your Children (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover) (with David Bromberg, Amy Helm and Matt Savage)
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| Steve Earle, David Bromberg and Amy Helm |
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| Steve Earle, David Bromberg and Amy Helm |
Related Articles
John Henry’s Friends at the Town Hall (2023)
The 7th Annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit at the Town Hall (2021)
John Henry's Friends at the Town Hall (2019)
Steve Earle & Friends at the Town Hall (2016)
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The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken 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 of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."
For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's December calendar.
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