Jammin’ for Rett (Benefit) @ Crighton Theatre Conroe
Jammin’ for Rett show brings together 7 artists from fundraising book
By Sondra Hernandez,shernandez@hcnonline.com Conroe Courier
A set of seven stellar singers and songwriters will gather on the Crighton Theatre stage this Saturday for a special fundraising concert. Craig Jones, chairman of the Sounds of Texas Music Series, approached local photographer Dave Clements about the opportunity to do a concert for Rett Syndrome research and Clements jumped at the chance.
“When it was offered to me, I was all in, whatever I can do,” Clements said.
The event is sanctioned by the Friends of Conroe, the nonprofit group that puts on the Sounds of Texas Music Series and the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival. “I’m thrilled that the Friends of Conroe felt good enough about what we were doing to sign off on this thing,” Clements said.
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurological disorder, found primarily in females. The girls progress normally up until about 12 to 18 months of age when the characteristics of Rett start to reveal themselves. All the social skills and motor skills they have obtained slowly cease to progress, starting a process of regression to what is the equivalent of living the rest of their life as an infant. They lose use of their hands, the ability to speak and most are bound to a wheelchair. Parents and siblings become 24-hour caregivers, changing their lives forever as well, according to Kevin Black who lost his 16-year-old daughter, Cortney, to the disease in March 2003.
It was a cause that became close to Clements heart after he snapped a photo of Black singing “God Bless the USA” many years ago. Clements approached Black for an autograph and what resulted was a decade of close friendship.
Clements said over they years, they’ve tried a lot of different things in support of Rett research, including golf and fishing tournaments and concerts. The concert format fits well with the book that was complied for Rett Syndrome research, Clements said.
As a local entertainment photographer, and photographer for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Clements often photographed artists raising a hand in the air while performing.
This became a signature pose that launched an idea for Clements to put together a photo book, “Raising A Hand.” In the book he captured artists like Charlie Daniels to Paul McCartney to Kenny Rogers to Merle Haggard and many, many others in that signature pose.
The book can be purchased at www.raisingahand.com.
Seven artists featured in the book, Tony Arata, Kevin Black, Richard Bowden, Candy Coburn, Tony Ramey, Cecil Shaw and Tres Womack are all donating their time to participate in the concert on Saturday.
“These are very good, very talented people,” Clements said. “I’m proud of each and every one of them for offering their time and talent to these girls. That’s meaningful to me.”
Tony Arata – A singer and songwriter, his best known song is “The Dance,” performed by Garth Brooks. In 2012, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Kevin Black – Houston area musician and brother to Clint Black.
Richard Bowden – a part of the duo Pinkard and Bowden, who were known for their comedy songs. Clements said Bowden is quite the funny guy, and that his portion alone is worth the price of admission.
Candy Coburn – Austin-based musician and daughter of Carl and Lynn Howard of Conroe. Her career has included sharing the stage with many highly recognized artists, including Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, Bret Michaels, Brooks & Dunn and the Zac Brown Band, just to name a few.
Tony Ramey – 2016’s Independent Artist of the Year by the Texas Country Music Association. His songs have been recorded by artists from Alabama to Ray Price, to Johnny Lee and George Strait and many others.
Cecil Shaw – Veteran Houston-area entertainer and son of Gospel legend, Cecil L. Shaw and nephew of Blues legend Thomas Edgar Shaw.
Tres Womack – Austin-area artist with four CD releases as a solo artist and was a member of The Getocowboys. Now playing with the Chubby Knuckle Choir out of Austin.
All of the funds raised will go to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.