Missouri musicians will step beneath bright lights Thursday, lifting their voices on behalf of those who do the same under humbler, more challenging circumstances.
Now an annual tradition, the Voices of Columbia concert at The Blue Note benefits Heart of Missouri CASA. For 17 years, the organization has equipped volunteers to serve children in foster care as their court-appointed special advocates — or CASAs — before the legal system.
Volunteers are trained “to be exceptional voices for every abused and neglected child in the Boone and Callaway County Family Courts,” according to the organization’s mission statement.
More:From South Africa to Columbia: One man’s impactful journey helping kids in foster care
At Thursday’s concert, six artists with their own exceptional voices will engage in friendly competition to boost CASA’s signal in the community. All have some close tie to mid-Missouri.
Concertgoers purchase tickets to the show, but can also vote with their wallets, donating to Heart of Missouri CASA in the name of their favorite act. The artist who raises the most money “will be awarded the Voices of Columbia trophy and bragging rights,” according to organizers. But really, everybody wins.
Here’s a brief look at the six artists who will compete for your vote — and make mid-Missouri a better, safer place for children in the process.
Anthony Coleman Blatter
A St. Louis native and recent University of Missouri graduate, Blatter has exercised his natural baritone in a variety of sounds and settings, singing opera, musical theater and chamber music. In 2018, he placed first in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, winning a musical theater category for male singers.
Molly Healey
With a wealth of experience as a solo artist and with iconic Missouri groups such as Big Smith and Ozark Mountain Daredevils, the singer-songwriter-string player strikes a beautiful, earthy balance between traditional Americana and atmospheric soundscapes.
Forrest McCurren
The Missouri songwriter cops to influences ranging from John Prine to Creedence Clearwater Revival, and his sound reflects their impressions; McCurren can write a hard-driving roots-rocker with quirky, literary touches.
More:Newly opened Compass Music Center will be hub for concerts, private lessons in Columbia
Billy McDow
A fixture on the regional roots music scene, McDow’s work weds classic country appeal to juke-joint grooves, Southern rock riffs and sad-eyed honky-tonk balladry.
Of Sea and Stone
They met on Tinder, formed a band, then got married — this not-so-typical success story frames the songs of Luke Dierker and Morgan Manson, which revel in honeyed harmonies, dynamic builds and thoughtful turns through a modern folk-pop sound.
Meredith Shaw
Ahead of a Roots N Blues festival spot this fall, Shaw delivers lived-in songs that lay themselves down to bridge several decades of country music — influenced by 1970s icons, packing a plainspoken punch like ’90s chart-toppers, and reflecting the modern moment.
Thursday’s event begins at 8 p.m.; general admission tickets are $25. Columbia musician Audra Sergel will appear as a special guest artist, and Veterans United’s Ian Franz will serve as emcee.
For more information, visit https://www.homcasa.org/events-training/voice-of-columbia/ or https://thebluenote.com/.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at [email protected] or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.