A voice for the voiceless

by Mahes Perera

The Country Music Foundation is staging its annual Country Roads concert in aid of the welfare of Sri Lankan children. The concert again which will be held on February 17 at the Hilton Colombo is not only an occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Foundation, but also to raise funds totalling Rs. 1 million to set-up three court houses for cases involving children.

Astrid Brook

Mavericks

A joint UNICEF-Government project, the Foundation is planning an extravaganza for the appreciation of the audience. As such, a stellar line-up of international artistes will be flown in for the event. Astrid Brook, a singer/guitarist with an amazing stage personality will be a great attraction. Her repertoire of country music will not only take you down the roads of nostalgia, but also showcase the new and popular country songs of today.

Bob Livingston, the pedal steel guitarist from Texas is looking forward to performing on our stages. He is no stranger to the country music scene. He enjoyed performing to the children in the refugee camps when he was in Sri Lanka. The other international act will be the Mavericks who with their country creativity will go all out to keep you in your seat until the last note is struck.

Our own musicians too will be there to support the cause in a big way. The spotlight will fall on the leading light Mariazelle whose love for country music has never diminished. The other artistes will be Cosmic Rays led by Tyronne Pieris and of course Jury and Feizal committed country music singers, dedicated to helping children in Sri Lanka to a better way of life.