Quad Cities Musicians To Hold Memorial Jam For Greg Hipskind

In our business, a lot of favors get exchanged. A LOT. The stuff you do to help somebody out, and the stuff they do in return to help you starts out pretty straightforward. It can get complicated from there. If you help someone, and you need something that they can get for you, you don't hesitate to ask. And, in the spirit of the art, favors are done more often than refused. We all want karma on our side when it's our turn to do the needing.

Greg has certainly done a ton of stuff for our radio show, or helped us with a gig. And when I did some sub-totaling like you sometimes do when you lose someone, a feel-good moment came across me. Every time I thought I was doing something for Hipskind, or the Rock Academy, I was really doing something for someone he was trying to help--or lift up in some way. He knew I didn't have a stake in anyone getting heard, or getting exposure or experience, but in the currency of Helping Hands, Greg was Fort Knox, man. No ask from him was too big, because you knew he wasn't asking for himself, to make himself look better, or bigger. Every ounce of energy he spent he did trying to make someone else shine. He was great to work with for that reason. And I'm sure I'm not unique in my experience.

He put so many kids in front of so many touring musicians. So many young artists getting to hear the intimate sounds of another, whose career was a little further down the road. You'd see these awesome social media posts with Greg, and a group of his students with some name-brand marquee musician who was in town. And while I'm sure it was cool to momentarily share a stage, or a spotlight with those guys, he was never a Celebrity collector.

I was surprised when, after Greg's passing, drummer Matt Starr reached out to me for Greg's contact info, in the hope of sending a message to Jenny. Not surprised that Matt reached out, because he and Greg share a mutual love of educating--but that Matt and Greg hadn't exchanged numbers when Matt came through town. In our business, having a Name in your cell-o-dex is like gold. Not Hipskind's style. Greg's gold was mining the talent of the students who came to him. Mining and refining. Man, that dude was one of the good ones.

A group of community musicians, as well as every QC Rock Academy band, are getting together to put on a Memorial Jam in honor of Greg at the Rust Belt, and it's free to attend.

It's happening at the Rust Belt in East Moline on February 14th, from 6-9pm.

The night will feature multiple bands playing sets, including the band Greg drummed for - Wicked Liz & The Bellyswirls - as well as a massive multi-instrument finale to end the night.

In addition to the performances, a silent auction of instruments and other items will be happening, with all proceeds going to Greg's wife, Jenny, and their daughters.

There's a T-Shirt fundraiser going on from QC Custom Tees, who are selling a ton of QC Rock Academy themed T-Shirts and Sweatshirts, with proceeds going to Greg's family.

You can also donate straight to the family's GoFundMe as well.