LIV ON Free Concert at the Lobero

Olivia Newton-John will be joined by Amy Sky, Beth Nielson Chapman and a talented backing band in a special free concert to benefit those affected by the Thomas Fire and the ensuing mudslides on Wednesday, April 25. The concert will feature music from the group’s album LIV ON, a set of songs written for the express purpose of dealing with grief and healing from loss. Speaking with Newton-John by phone last week, I learned that the singer has “many friends who live in Montecito,” and that she was “very concerned from the outset” about what the consequences of the Thomas Fire might be. When her friend and Chief Advocate for AdvocatesForAllThingsGood.com Tom Rollerson suggested that she perform the music from LIV ON at the Lobero as a gift to the community, she readily accepted. “We made the album as a labor of love” Newton-John explained. “It began when I was writing a song to mourn the death of my sister and I called Amy to help me finish it” she said. “That’s when we realized how little music there was that had been written specifically for those who are grieving. We got together at my house to create an album that would comfort people going through loss, and that’s the music we will be playing on Wednesday night.”

Producers Tom Rollerson and Rod Lathim are veteran philanthropists with deep ties to Santa Barbara. The concert is also taking place in partnership with Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care. The concert is open to the community and there is no cost to attend, to truly serve as a gift of healing and love to the community with thanks to the generosity of the James S. Bower Foundation, Hutton Parker Foundation, Natalie Orfalea Foundation, and Louise and Tim Casey. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come basis by calling the Lobero Box office at 805-963-0761.