In 2007, upon his retirement from the local airwaves, Cincinnati radio legend Gary Burbank and several area cohorts got together to form Play It Forward, a nonprofit organization set up to raise money for musicians in times of hardship. Ever since, Play It Forward has presented various benefit events throughout the year and helped numerous area musicians through hard times.
The concept of the organization is in its name. Musicians, especially full-time ones, toil away in a risky occupation (no 401k, no health insurance, etc.) just to entertain us; the least we can do is lend them a hand when things get bleak.
Play It Forward raises funds through direct donations and events like benefit concerts and raffles.
This Saturday at Covington’s Madison Theater (madisontheateronline.com), a new compilation album for Play It Forward will be released in conjunction with performances by several of the featured artists.