Starting this weekend, thousands of music artists and fans will converge on Smith’s Olde Bar for the 10 days of the third annual 500 Songs for Kids benefit. Originally launched in 2007, 500 Songs for Kids started as a fundraiser to bring awareness to Songs for Kids Foundation, but in a few short years, it has become an Atlanta phenomenon. Each year artists are assigned one song from a predetermined list of 500 songs. This year’s theme is the Most Passionate Songs. Passion is a fitting topic, especially when looking at how passionately founder Josh Rifkind and his team approach this event and their everyday involvement with Songs for Kids Foundation.
“I wanted to create something that felt far bigger than myself and something that could actually make a profound difference,” Rifkind said. “The 500 Songs event is our annual fundraiser, but the bigger story is what we do with our foundation. We bring musicians to hospitals year round and have them perform with kids. Music is such an amazing tool to lift, inspire, and educate and what’s better than applying that to kids, who are up against some amazing things.”
In a few short years, Songs for Kids Foundation has brought musicians and musical performances to children’s hospitals and camps across the county. Artists such as Janelle Monae and Brett Dennen have made it a priority in their busy schedules to join Rifkind and his team at hospitals. Countless other local artists also regularly give of their time and hearts to perform and spend time with kids in need.
“Not every musician gets a big record deal, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t talented or don’t have the heart to make a connection with another human being,” Rifkind said. “All the artists that come to the hospitals make a huge connection. Everything that we protect ourselves with, like irony and self awareness, is so stripped away at the hospital and all that is left is the ability to make a connection and love.”
Rifkind’s unfaltering devotion to this cause and foundation, as well as his impressive music industry connections, has some of radio’s biggest artists willing to drop everything to participate in the 10 day music marathon event.
“Josh is not human,” Butch Walker said. “He is the Best of Atlanta. That guy has the biggest heart. Plus, he is smart, funny, crazy, and he does it all for the right reasons.”
Every year, some of the music’s most notable stars come out to lend their talent to the 500 Songs event. Pete Yorn, Ceelo, Butch Walker, Cracker and 112’s Q Parker have all shared the stage to sing a song on the list.
“The event is really complicated and doesn’t cater to an artist’s ego,” says Rifkind. “That’s what makes it so humbling when someone who is so hilariously busy all the time comes out. The event is not about those people, but it’s also been a nice thing for those folks to come out. It’s nice to know they care about you and your organization whether it is the event of hospital visits.”
Come join the fun and support the cause through May 9 at 500 Songs for Kids at Smith’s Olde Bar. From local to national acts, you never know who will show up.
Info
What: 500 Songs for Kids
Where: Smith's Olde Bar
When: April 30 through May 9, 2009. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. nightly, except for Sunday, May 3, when doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Admission is $10 for each night, except the finale on May 9, which is $20. Additional donations will be accepted. Proceeds support the Songs for Kids Foundation.
Visit www.smithsoldebar.com and www.songsforkidsfoundation.org.
