With her new album Lorraine released January 25th, and a full schedule of shows and appearances to support the new release, Lori McKenna didn’t think twice about dropping everything to help a friend in need.
On January 21st Lori co-headlined a bill with Aimee Mann at the Paradise in Boston. Proceeds from the benefit show will help support their mutual friend and well-known Boston-area drummer, John Sands who suffered a massive heart attack in November but is now on the road to recovery. The show was organized by a group of friends, dubbed Team Huggy and the Boston music community came out in force on the 21st to help one of their own. In addition to headliners Mann and McKenna, the night also featured The Jess Tardy Band and Ron Sexsmith, both members of John Sands’ musical family. In addition to the music, Team Huggy organized a silent auction featuring tickets to sold-out shows, in-home concerts and sport and music memorabilia galore.
Little more than half an hour after returning with her bandmates from a performance at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, ME and dropping the kids off at their Sunday activities, Lori spent some time talking with about John, the benefit event, and her new album, Lorraine.
On John Sands and the Paradise Show
“I haven’t played with a full band for over a year but as far as I’m concerned, John is my drummer. I’m in a job where I get to know a lot of people. John is at the top of my list of people that I like to be around. He changed everything for me dynamically when we started playing together. I have my own little rhythm issues because I’m used to playing solo. I can only really play with a handful of drummers and John and I just clicked. As a musician, he’s one of the best we have and as a person he’s also one of the best. It’s very true when you hear people say they love John. People use the word ’love’ a lot but its really true. We all really do love John. He’s just a good, good guy." McKenna said. "The only thing that was disappointing about the night was that John couldn’t be there but he was obviously there in spirit. It was nice to see everyone come together for him like that.”
Read the whole interview by George Dow HERE