We don’t do it alone. This week the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless remembers the lives of two men, important to the music community, who showed generosity toward homeless people and the work we do: Sean McKeough and Otis Clay.
As a partner and producer of Riot Fest, Sean McKeough granted CCH a wonderful platform to spread our message and attract supporters each fall on the festival grounds. Sean also welcomed CCH to host events at his Cobra Lounge.
Sean dreamed big, took risks, and pulled others up. He was great to work with. We join the Riot Fest family and the Cobra Lounge family in mourning his unexpected loss on Tuesday.
Last night, gospel and soul music legend Otis Clay was remembered in a moving tribute concert held at Evanston’s SPACE. Otis performed at numerous CCH events over the years, including several Hopefest concerts. Generously, Otis would never accept a dime for himself in return. Helping those who have so little was close to Otis’s heart.
Many thanks to Dave Specter who produced the concert, a show benefitting CCH. Dave assembled a wonderful lineup, which included Gerald Dowd, John Abbey, Brother John Kattke, Grant Tye, Billy Price, Jimmy Johnson, Billy Seward, Cathy Richardson, Billy Branch, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Burns, Diane Madison, Theresa Davis, and Ellen Miller.
There is an accompanying tribute single to Otis – “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” – recorded by an outstanding group of musicians. It is available for download HERE. All proceeds also benefit CCH.
– Michael Nameche, Director of Development