Concert series featured the third annual Amplify Decatur Music Festival, presented by Lenz and produced in partnership with Eddie’s Attic
May 15, 2018 (Decatur) — The nonprofit group Amplify My Community announced today that the 2018 Amplify Decatur concert series raised $40,000 for Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM), a Decatur-based, nonprofit organization that works to prevent and alleviate poverty and homelessness in Decatur and DeKalb County. Amplify Decatur has raised and donated more than $190,000 to DCM since 2011. This year’s $40,000 gift equals the most an Amplify Concert Series has generated to date.
The April 13-15 concert series was presented by Lenz, a Decatur-based marketing agency, and produced in partnership with Eddie’s Attic, the Southeast’s premier music listening room.
On April 14, thousands gathered on the Downtown Decatur Square for the Amplify Decatur Musical Festival, the centerpiece of the concert series. The festival featured performances by an all-star Americana line-up, including The Lone Bellow, The Jayhawks, Amanda Shires, and Parker Millsap. Atlanta-based folk duo Dwayne Shivers also performed. Christine Mahin served as festival director for the second consecutive year.
Amplify Decatur also featured a three-night stand at historic Eddie’s Attic, with performances by Jared and Amber, The Weather Station, Sirens of South Austin, and Antigone Rising. On April 15, the concert series culminated with a Steve Earle vs. Townes Van Zandt tribute night featuring eight local and regional acts.
Amplify My Community board president Drew Robinson said he is proud to be a part of such a strong community. “Our mission is to shine a spotlight of recognition on the incredible work DCM does in our community through the love of live music,” he said. “The success of Amplify Decatur is 100 percent attributed to the steadfast support from the City of Decatur, and our sponsors, volunteers, artists, and attendees.”
DCM executive director Marlene White said, “Decatur Cooperative Ministry is grateful to Amplify My Community, Lenz, Eddie’s Attic, and all the Amplify sponsors for their support of our programs to help families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope, and opportunity. Funding and support from Amplify has helped DCM spread the word and shine the light during difficult times in the lives of our neighbors in need. We look forward to our continued partnership to fight homelessness and hunger in our community.”
Richard J. Lenz, president and CEO of Lenz, the presenting sponsor, said the event “checks a lot of boxes” for him. “Lenz has supported many causes, organizations, and events in Decatur since 1992, and what we look for locally is something that adds to the culture of Decatur, has a philanthropic purpose, and allows our company to make an impact using our talent, energy, and resources. My goal of building a successful music festival in Decatur is being achieved, thanks to so many.”
Platinum sponsors included: Leafmore Group, Four Roses Bourbon, Natalie Gregory Sold, The Pinewood, Iris and Bruce Feinberg, WABE 90.1, Decatur Package Store, and Savannah Distributing Company.
Gold sponsors included: Georgia Urology, Hall Booth Smith, Oakhurst Realty Partners, Topo Chico, Cox Media Group, Midwood Entertainment, Essentia Water, and ATL PBS.
The mission of Decatur Cooperative Ministry is to help families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope, and opportunity. A member of the City of Decatur community for more than 45 years, DCM provides families in crisis with 90 days of emergency shelter for women and children, six months of transitional housing for homeless families, permanent supportive housing for homeless families with disabilities, financial assistance for families facing eviction/utility disconnection, and emergency assistance for low-income veteran households. More information is available at DecaturCooperativeMinistry.org.
Based in Decatur, Georgia, Lenz partners with its clients to grow together. For more than two decades, Lenz’s specialized expertise has helped its clients reach their goals. Lenz offers the full range of digital and traditional marketing expertise, including brand strategy, advertising, PR, website development, inbound marketing, and more. More information is available at LenzMarketing.com.
Amplify My Community was founded in 2010 and is based in Decatur, Georgia. Its mission is to leverage the universal love of music to fight poverty at the local level. To date, Amplify has raised and donated more than $300,000 in unrestricted gifts to locally oriented anti-homelessness and poverty-focused organizations — including more than $190,000 in Decatur. Amplify has held concert series in Atlanta, Athens, Decatur, Suwanee, and Duluth, Georgia; Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Charlottesville, Virginia.