Busking for a Charitable Cause
What: The Gibson Malone Band will be taking their music on the road this summer to it’s roots in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the name of embracing and tracing the blues and jazz music which has influenced the band’s sound, while raising awareness and funds for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, a cause that is close to home for the band. Why: Ike Baer-Sanft, a junior at Berklee College of Music and close friend of the band, was diagnosed in 2023 with mouth cancer. After going through chemotherapy as well as surgery which removed the tumor and surrounding tissue from his neck, Ike was happy to announce himself as cancer-free. However early in 2024 Ike learned that the cancer had returned with a far worse severity. Ike’s decision to not continue with any treatment, and to instead enjoy the last years of his life to the fullest extent through the rich experiences of music and culture, motivated the Gibson Malone Band to be part of these experiences, and to do everything in their power to share an unforgettable adventure incorporating these experiences, with Ike. Where: The band plans on playing on the streets and bars of Boston, New York, Charleston, Savannah, and Nashville as they work their way to and from their ultimate destination: New Orleans Louisiana. Who: Current Berklee College of Music students Gibson Malone (vocals, guitar), Nate Bojanowski (keyboards), Tobias Stone (bass, harmonica) and New York based musician and busker Isai Flores (drums) are the members who make up the band, with Ike Baer-Sanft taking on the role of videographer as well as an honorary member of the band. Their music can be found under the name Gibson Malone on streaming platforms, including here on Spotify, with the latest EP being released on April 19. You can also meet the members of the band here. When: The tour is planned to take place over 10 days in June 2024, starting in Boston on June 12th, and returning on or around 23rd. How: To help them along the way, Brian Canning (cofounder of Three Chord Bourbon and the GoodSpirits Marketing Alliance) and Doug Stone (Founder of ForWhiskeyLovers.com and cofounder of the GoodSpirits Marketing Alliance), are reaching out to a select few brands with the goal of securing approximately $5,000 in sponsorship dollars (or donations in kind) to help defray the costs of:
• Motel rooms for band (Motel 6 instead of Walmart parking lots)
• Fuel for the truck they will be driving (a 1984 Toyota Landcruiser)
• Food to feed them (Panera/ Chipotle, ShakeShack etc)
• Video Equipment (iPhones and tripods/ vehicle camera mounts) to capture the event