By VICKI HUSBAND
The first Fondren Covered event floored Jackson music lovers at Duling Hall in February 2012, and the show has since grown into highly anticipated concerts happening multiple times each year, now known simply as “Covered.” From Beatles to disco and singer/songwriter tunes, Covered captivates attendees while helping raise money for local nonprofits. Each special night brings together hundreds who are treated to a live show by leading area musicians, many of whom are local worship team leaders and band members.
The next Covered shows will take place at 7 p.m. February 8 and 9 at The South Warehouse in Jackson.
The man behind this unique concept is Gary Watts, founder and CEO of the Jackson-area technology company Fuse.Cloud. Gary wanted to create a way to mix music and people while supporting great causes. To date, more than 10,000 people have attended Covered events. In 2022, Covered raised $100,000 for local nonprofits dedicated to causes like education and serving children with special needs.
“Covered is doing much more than providing a night of great music – it’s also helping those in need,” said Watts. “In 2022, Mississippi-based Trustmark expanded the reach of Covered by joining as its presenting sponsor. Funds raised are used to aid area nonprofits while giving guests an unforgettable evening filled with incredible performances from exceptional local talent.”
Covered allows musicians to share their passion and give back to the community. Dr. Lynn Stringer is one of these musicians, having participated in Covered since 2012 – when his son Robert, then part of the music ministry at Fondren Church, sought a way to raise funds for a family in the church to adopt a child with special needs. Since then, Dr. Stringer has enjoyed playing bass at every Covered event over the past 10 years.
“This event has grown exponentially since that first show. Our goal is to sponsor worthy organizations, both secular and faith-based. As the least talented musician in this amazing group, participating has been a great honor and pleasure,” Stringer said.
Little Light House of Central Mississippi, located in Jackson, has received funds raised at the February Covered event for several years. This organization is a Christian, tuition-free developmental center serving children with special needs from birth to age 6.
Little Light House Executive Director Fran Patterson remarked, “We are thrilled to be chosen again as the beneficiary of Covered this February. The concert has raised more than $100,000 for us over the years, but more importantly, they have raised awareness of young children with special needs in the Jackson metro area and the dire need for early intervention services like ours.”
Covered brings individuals from all walks of life together to make a difference via their passion for music and philanthropy. The vision of Covered’s band members, board of directors, and volunteers has provided a fantastic opportunity for those looking to contribute while having fun!
Experience it yourself by visiting covered-music.com today. Tickets are going fast, so don’t miss out.
