A group of local musicians — including Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor — have come together virtually in a music video to support Fleming College’s COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund and the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association (PMBA).
The #TogetherAtHome video features a performance of Blue Rodeo’s 1992 song “Lost Together”, led by Keelor who is joined virtually by Melissa Payne, James McKenty, Jimmy Bowskill, Emily Burgess of Emily Burgess & The Emburys, Beau Dixon, Benj Rowland and Josh Fewings of Mayhemingways, Rick Fines, Rob Foreman, Matt Greco, Natalie Hughes, Dylan Ireland, Kellie McKenty, Shai Peer, Paper Shakers, Kate Suhr, Ryan Weber and Sam Weber of The Weber Brothers, and Maureen Adamson.
The video was directed by local music photographer and filmmaker Michael Hurcomb (The Radius Project), who spent three days editing the video to bring all the virtual performances together into a cohesive whole. It was produced by Hurcomb and Melissa Payne, along with co-producer James McKenty.
“Music brings people together, and I would like to thank all the musicians for coming together apart to create something special for our community,” Hurcomb says.
VIDEO: Fleming College presents #TogetherAtHome
The video also includes appearances by community leaders showing their support, including Fleming Board of Governors Chair Dan Marinigh, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, Dr. Leo Groarke and Glennice Burns from Trent University, Dr. Peter McLaughlin from Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra from Peterborough Public Health, and Liz Stone and Naman Khandelwal from Fleming College.
“I cannot think of a better way to bring people together and celebrate the power of what is possible than through music,” Fleming College president Maureen Adamson says. “It is so special that we can call on such amazing local talent to help us. Since the beginning of the pandemic crisis, Fleming College has reached out to support the community and the effort to battle the spread of the virus.”
To donate to COVID-19 Fleming Student Emergency Fund, visit flemingcollege.ca/giving-to-fleming/covid-19-fleming-emergency-fund.
“In addition to establishing the student emergency fund, the college has donated food, medical supplies and special accommodation in residence buildings for healthcare workers,” Adamson adds. “Hundreds of Fleming alumni are on the front-lines of the battle against the virus. The song is a tribute to them and all those in our community working to battle COVID-19.”
The video was also produced in support of the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association (PMBA), which helps local musicians who need financial assistance in tough times due to unforeseen circumstances. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, PMBA has been unable to raise funds through its usual method, the monthly Deluxe Blues Jams at t Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough.
“Local musicians have also been hard hit by the pandemic,” says Payne. “It was incredible to have everyone so eagerly offer their support for the project.”
Donations to the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association can be made by e-transfer to ptbomusiciansbenevolent@gmail.com.