Jam for Jamaica Official 2013 Press Kit

CALENDAR/MEDIA ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Annie Haas
[email protected]
404-210-1349
Jam-packed with music: Jam for Jamaica announces concert lineup
Proceeds of annual, three-day music festival support Jamaica’s poorest residents
Milwaukee, Wis. (March 13, 2013) – What started as a personal mission to help others in one of the
poorest Caribbean countries has now turned into one of Southeast Wisconsin’s most diverse, annual
music and camping festivals in its fourth year. Jam for Jamaica, or Jam for Jam, has just announced its
three-day lineup from May 16-19, 2013, and it spans a myriad of musical tastes.
“Our nearly 40 acts this year reflect the diverse musical tastes of our region,” said Jam for Jam founder
Craig Baumann. “From rock to reggae to bluegrass and soul – there will be something for just about every
music fan,” he said.
Baumann noted that some of the featured acts include: string-band Useful Jenkins; Madison-based roots
music band People Brothers; Latino-inspired De La Buena from Milwaukee; Minneapolis-based band
Circle of Heat; regional bluegrass band Stealin’ Strings; and regional Northern rock favorite Fat Maw
Rooney, who is playing together again after two years.
Baumann started Jam for Jam after a grueling 2005 mission trip to Jamaica where he worked first hand
with citizens of the island nation to reinforce their tin-roof shanties. Once he returned home he decided he
wanted to continue making a difference. A musician by trade, Baumann started playing for tips and would
save those tips to purchase building materials. Then Baumann and his musical comrades and friends
decided to make the fundraising effort more formal and “Jam for Jamaica” was born.
All of Jam for Jam’s proceeds raised during the three-day event go directly toward the purchase of
building materials for Jamaican families. A team of volunteers, led by Baumann, then pays their own way
to make a bi-annual trip to Jamaica to assist with the construction of new structures, and reinforcement of
weak and decrepit buildings.
“We all work hard, we all volunteer our own time and money for the visits,” said Baumann, “and it’s so
worth it knowing that families in need have a safe and dry place to lay their heads at night.”
The 2013 Jam for Jam Music and Camping Festival takes place from Thursday, May 16, to Sunday, May
19, at the world-famous Concord House in Sullivan, Wisconsin – just about halfway between Milwaukee
and Madison. A weekend pass costs only $45 per person (until April 1st) and tickets are on sale now at
www.jamforjam.org. Weekend passes also will be available “at the gate” for $65.
Concert amenities include free camping for the entire weekend in spacious slots including free stocked
wood for campsites, and various food, drink and sundries vendors.
The Concord House is located at W985 Concord Center Drive, Sullivan, Wisconsin, 53178 (Click here for
a map). More information about the concert, and tickets, is available on the event website at
www.jamforjam.org or on www.Facebook.com/JamforJamaica.
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Media Fact Sheet: Jam for Jamaica 2013
What is Jam for Jamaica?
• Founded by Wisconsin musician Craig Baumann in 2006, Jam for Jamaica, or Jam
for Jam, is an organization dedicated to helping the lives of inner-island Jamaicans
by improving their living conditions to ensure that they have a dry, safe place to
sleep. To accomplish this mission, the Jam for Jam team organizes an annual, threeday music and camping festival aimed at raising funds to purchase building materials
needed in Jamaica, and at celebrating the diversity inherent in music.
All proceeds generated during the Jam for Jam Music and Camping Festival go
toward the purchase of building materials that are used by Jam for Jam volunteers to
build new structures and reinforce existing structures in Jamaica. Jam for Jam team
members pay their own travel and expenses on this bi-annual journey, thereby
allowing all proceeds to directly benefit Jamaicans in need.
When and where is the festival held?
• Now in its fourth year, The Jam for Jam Music and Camping Festival will be held
Thursday, May 16 – Sunday, May 19, 2013, at The Concord House, located at W985
Concord Center Drive, Sullivan, Wisconsin, 53178. Sullivan is located about halfway
between Milwaukee and Madison, just off of I-94 --- Click here for a map. Free,
onsite camping (and free, stocked firewood) is available all weekend. About 1,200
people attended the event in 2012; concert capacity is 1,500.
How much does the festival cost?
• A weekend pass is available for $45 until April 1, $55 until May 15. Tickets are on
sale now online through www.jamforjam.org. Daily passes also will be available at
the gate, but Jam for Jam encourages the purchase of pre-sale weekend passes.
Weekend passes will be available at the gate for $65 per-person.
Who does Jam for Jam help?
• A majority of Jamaicans live in poverty, many in shanties constructed with 2”x4”s, tin
roofs, and various scrap materials. In its seventh mission trip, Jam for Jam
managed to help more than 15 families with roof repairs, new structures, concrete,
community kitchens, musical equipment, clothing and much more.
•
To view pictures of Jam for Jam’s most recent mission to Jamaica, visit
www.jamforjam.org, under the “Media” tab.
What is the musical lineup for this year’s festival?
• This year’s festival includes nearly 40 acts, spanning blues to rock to reggae to jam
bands to bluegrass, and more. The specific schedule is below:
• Thursday, May 16th, 2013 (Starts @ 7 p.m.)
Soap
NightKrawlers featuring XL Big
Moloko Shivers
Useful Jenkins
Chicken Wire Empire
People Brothers Band
4th Coast
• Friday, May 17th, 2013 (Starts @ 11 a.m.)
•
•
Hosted by Erik Niewiarowski
Alpha Transit
We Are Your Father
De La Buena
Circle of Heat
Stealin’ Strings
Horseshoes and HandGrenades
Burgundy Ties
Afternoon Moon
Boney Fingers
The Voodoo Fix
Soup
Dirty Bucket Band
Jeremey Bates and Friends
Saturday, May 18, 2013 (Starts @ 8 a.m.)
Hosted by Erik Niewiarowski
Mustache
LovaNova
Smokin’ Bandits
Ethan Keller Group
Fat Maw Rooney
Danny Miller Band
Natty Nation
Undercover Organism
Muddy Udders
I’m Not a Pilot
Urbanites
Sean Shiel
Mike Brumm
Jam Funk AllStars
Clovis Mann
Honest Monday
Rondog Family Band
Melonheads
Where can I get more information about Jam for Jamaica?
• www.jamforjam.org or www.facebook.com/JamforJamaica.
Are event sponsorships still available? How can I become an event sponsor?
• Yes. Please contact Joe Haas at 262-751-4182.
How can I request an interview with Jam for Jam founder Craig Baumann or request
a media pass for the event?
• Contact Jam for Jam’s media contact, Annie, at [email protected].
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