With countless members of the Canadian music community impacted by COVID-19, actor, singer, activist and philanthropic tour de force Tom Jackson is rallying fellow artists to aid peers with the launch of a new digital variety series, Almighty Voices.
Certain to inspire, entertain, and inform audiences — and in support of the Unison Benevolent Fund, a non-profit registered charity providing counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community — the hour-long video series will air 12 weekly episodes starting Sunday, April 5 via YouTube and AlmightyVoices.ca.
Hosted by Jackson, episodes will feature Governor General’s Performing Arts Award recipient, singer/songwriter and philanthropist Susan Aglukark, actress and singer Cynthia Dale, actress and singer/songwriter Beverley Mahood, Juno nominee Sarah Slean, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Juno winner and Humanitarian Award recipient Chantal Kreviazuk, opera singer Measha Brueggergosman, Juno nominee and April Wine blues rocker/producer Myles Goodwyn, Juno winner Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and more.
“Almighty Voices carries in its name the collective will to fight for one’s family — blood, or imagined,” Jackson shares of the initiative’s title, which is also a family name. “Its Cree translation is Gitchi Manitou Wayo, and was the name of my Great-Great-Great Uncle, a youthful hero whose passion to save his family from starvation turned into tragedy.” To that, Almighty Voices shows “we’re all in this together.”
“We’re all in this together.”
Looking ahead, Almighty Voices will feature Canadian music — and the country’s spirit — at its finest, Jackson reveals. “In addition to music and stories, we will share the wisdom of our Elders, express kindness, and explore essential ways to create health, and put health at the forefront, versus managing disease. While we learn how to determine what is urgent and important in this ever-changing time, the music community can engage people to leap, learn, laugh, and love. In return, the support received will ensure our music community survives. It is my hope the program connects us all.”
Almighty Voices will launch with support from Universal Music, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, The Walrus, CPO, Joe Media Group, Eric Alper Public Relations, Echohill Web Sites, and Mobile Giving Foundation, in an effort to raise funds for the Unison Benevolent Fund.
For more information, visit Almighty Voices or the Unison Fund online. You can donate $10 to Unison Benevolent Fund by texting VOICES to 45678.
