Adam Nicholson was making his rounds calling the musical acts lined up for the 13th annual Sertoma Benefit Concert letting them know it was canceled.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in restrictions on gatherings and requirements of social distancing and wearing face masks.
Adam and his wife, Kim, who organize the concert, didn’t think it would be feasible this year since it usually features four acts and draws a few hundred attendees.
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That is until he talked to James Dupré.
The Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, native who currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, suggested coming up to Jackson County to do a Facebook Live concert and virtual auction. That way, money could still be raised for Sertoma Christmas Miracle, which provides gifts to families in need at Christmastime.
The Nicholsons agreed to give it a try, so it’s set for 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday as a Facebook Live event at facebook.com/events/1065125603948332.
Those who select “interested” or “going” on the event page will receive notifications about the event, including any posts made on the page and when it goes live.
On Saturday, auction items will be shown in between Dupré performing songs, and bids can be placed in the comments on the live video.
“He does a lot of the live stuff, and he has done a lot of the YouTube stuff, so he’s kind of a pro with that, so I’ve kind of relied on him for letting me know what I needed to do and how I needed to do it,” Adam said.
“I’ve got to really thank him a lot, too, because he has kind of made Jackson County his second home,” Adam said. “He really loves this place and the people that he meets here. He really likes them, and he has always held this place close to his heart. He was the first to reach out and want to help a community that he doesn’t even live in, so that’s a pretty big deal to me to have a friend that’s willing to do that.”
Sertoma Christmas Miracle is different this year, too, due to the pandemic. Instead of volunteers gathering at the headquarters to wrap donated gifts and deliver them to Jackson County homes on Christmas Eve, all gifts will be in the form of $35 gift cards so delivery can be made by mail.
Gift cards can be bought at Big Lots or Shoe Sensation in Seymour or monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 841, Seymour, IN 47274. Applications to receive a gift card must be received by Dec. 10.
So far, the auction items for Saturday include a guitar and a framed vinyl album signed by Seymour native and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp, a $250 gift card from Circle K and a gift basket from Marion-Kay Spices. Anyone with an item to donate for the auction may contact the Nicholsons.
People also can support Sertoma Christmas Miracle by making freewill donations or buying an event T-shirt via PayPal or Venmo links that will be posted on the event page. Shirts are $15 and may be ordered now through 7 p.m. Saturday.
“I would just encourage people to share it when it comes live,” Adam said of the event page. “The more people that share it, the more people that will see it. A $5 donation coming from everybody that was viewing that, that would go a long way with what we’re trying to do.”
With Dupré having fans across North America and the live video also being linked to his Facebook page, Adam said the reach could go far.
The country music artist has spent a great deal of time sharing his voice with fans on social media platforms, according to jamesdupre.com. He gained notoriety when he was a four-chair turn on NBC’s singing competition television show “The Voice” and landed a guest appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Plus, he served as a guest vocalist on Randy Travis’ tour in 2019.
He released “Stoned to Death” in 2016, and his second album, “Home and Away,” came out in October.
Dupré has performed during the Sertoma Benefit Concert four times since 2012.
In the last 12 years of the concert, around $60,000 has been raised for Sertoma Christmas Miracle.
“My first year I did it in 2008, we raised $2,500,” Adam said. “If I can make $2,500 beginning this as an online thing and with the year that everyone has had and money being tight, I would feel more accomplished with it being at least up to that number. We’re hoping for the best, and I know that anything (Sertoma gets) is going to be better than nothing. We’re doing everything we possibly can to make it what we are.”
Next year, the Nicholsons hope the concert can return to normal.
“We’ll be really excited to have the crowd back in person,” Adam said.
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What: Sertoma Benefit Concert and Auction 2020
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: facebook.com/events/1065125603948332
Who: Country music artist James Dupré
Details: Select “interested” or “going” on the event page to receive notifications about the event, including any posts made on the page and when it goes live. On Saturday, auction items will be shown in between Dupré performing songs, and bids can be placed in the comments on the live video.
Donate: Besides bidding on auction items, people can support Sertoma Christmas Miracle by making freewill donations or buying an event T-shirt via PayPal or Venmo links that will be posted on the event page. Shirts are $15 and may be ordered now through 7 p.m. Saturday.
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