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Mayer Gives Sweet Relief

Musician fund celebrates tenth anniversary

August 4, 2004 12:00 AM ET
The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a four-night benefit concert series in Nashville. The shows, set for August 25-28, will include performances by John Mayer, Sweet Relief founder Victoria Williams, her husband (and former Jayhawk) Mark Olson, Josh Rouse, Will Kimbrough, Jeff Black and David Ball.

Williams launched Sweet Relief in 1994 as a non-profit charity that offered financial aid to ailing musicians without health insurance to help offset the cost of their medical expenses. The organization has raised money through albums (most recently The Grass Is Always Bluer, which included cuts by Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris and Old Crow Medicine Show) concerts, and other events.

Among the events planned is an August 28th gathering (hosted by veteran rock journalist Dave Marsh) at the Country Music Hall of Fame to discuss musicians' healthcare reform.

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