Rock-trapreneur Johnny Ray and Swamp-Stock: Rock the Night!
MARBLEHEAD –Thirty years ago, you’d have found Johnny Ray at the front desk of the Harbor Light Inn, talking to patrons about Marblehead’s Colonial and pre-revolutionary history. Today, he’s making history of his own, blanketing the North Shore with music at the Beacon Restaurant and Bar, Johnny’s Music Emporium, and now, at the brand new Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts (SCPA). For three decades, Ray has been bringing music and entertainment to the area, first as a performer, and now, as a music empresario and supporter of area musicians. But he’s got more than music in his head – he wants to make a real difference to the community he loves. Ray is donating the use of his new entertainment venture to the Marblehead Counseling Center (MCC) for a five hour rock and roll fundraiser.
Swamp-Stock: Rock the Night!, the first MCC fundraising event to be held in Swampscott. Swamp-Stock: Rock the Night! is a whole night of music and dancing at SCPA on Thursday, October 1st from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Five bands will take the stage during the evening, including B-Side Hustle, Glass Harbor, Funbucket, The MERJ, and Lois Lane and the Daily Planets, with music ranging from soul to country, funk, R&B and classic rock.
It’s not the first time Johnny Ray has offered one of his venues to MCC’s fundraising efforts. The Beacon Restaurant and Bar has hosted the organization’s Community Champions Awards events for the past two years. “I don’t know anyone who hasn’t known someone personally or been touched themselves by mental health struggles,” Ray says. “It’s an epidemic around the country. If we can do something to help make resources available to those who need it, I’m happy to do it.”
Swamp-Stock: Rock the Night! is the first fundraiser at SCPA, but Ray will definitely be using the venue to support other causes going forward. Ray says the Marblehead community has always come out to support important causes, and he’s excited to be able to use his new platform in Swampscott to share the message just over the Marblehead town line. Providing mental health support is critical for families and individuals in today’s world, he says. “It’s an issue that has touched my immediate family. If giving back in this way can help change the life of one person, that’s what it’s all about.” In addition to MCC, Ray supports Eliot Community Human Services in Lynn. In fact, he laughs, if you play the ‘claw’ game in the lobby of SCPA during the MCC event, the money goes to Eliot.”
Ray is donating the venue and staffing to MCC and also helped negotiate reduced fees with some of the area’s hottest bands. “We’re really excited to be able to offer such great acts for the event,” says Ruth Ferguson, President of the Board of Directors of the Counseling Center. “Johnny knows everyone, and he helped put together a really good line-up. We couldn’t be more excited, or more thankful.”