B.C.s rock and blues multi-platinum artist Colin James will don his leathers and rev up a Dakota Monster motorcycle and ride for sick children and teens.
James will convoy with other motorcycle, as well as classic car and car enthusiasts, from Richmonds River Rock Casino Resort to Whistler during the 10th Annual Music Therapy Ride.
I took part in the ride about five years ago and it was such a blast, said James, who is working on his 15th album. Music plays such a huge part in peoples life.
For kids who are going through so much in the hospital, for them to get to play virtual instruments and record their own music is fantastic the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund is a great organization.
James will also be joined by award-winning producer, artist and writer Chin Injeti, who worked on Eminems Grammy winning CD, Recovery, and on Young Artists for Haitis Juno winning single, Wavin Flag.
In a press release, Injeti said: Music therapy saved my life physically and spiritually. I would not be who I am without it.
So far, the Music Therapy Ride has raised more than $350,000 for the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund.
This year, in addition to funding music therapists and Music Therapy programs, the ride is helping fund a recording studio at BC Childrens Hospital, as well as a mobile recording studio for bedridden patients.
According to event organizer Patrick Zulinov, who is the assistant program director of FM radio station Shore 104, the mobile studios, called Band Wagon, consists of guitars, built-in keyboard, stereo speakers, a big screen Mac computer with keyboard, music software, which are all together on wheels.
"A lot of these kids are terminally ill that are making use of it," said Zulinov. "What it can do is leave behind a legacy of the child for their parents. The kids can record and leave something behind for their family which is very meaningful."
Meanwhile, if you are up at Whistler as the convoy rolls in, James and friends just might pick up some instruments and sing some songs.
The 10th Annual Music Therapy Ride roars out of the River Rock Casino Resort on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. The Vancouver Police Departments Motorcycle Drill Team will escort the riders, as they head off to their final destination at the Garibaldi Lift Company in Whistler. He cost to join in the fundraising ride is: single riders are $300, double $350, vehicles $400. Hitchhikers are $75 and a ride will be found for you.
This year's ride is dedicated to Megan McNeil, 20, who died this year on Jan. 28. She recorded Will to Survive, which you can hear on YouTube.
For more information or to join this years ride or to make a donation, visit www.musictherapyride.org.
