Blackwing Foundation Community Arts Benefit Concert

On October 23rd the Blackwing Foundation was pleased to collaborate with local Oakville, CA musician Willie Tea Taylor at his recent Album Release Concert at the Gallo Center for the Performing Arts in Modesto, CA.  The proceeds of the concert are earmarked to support Blackwing Foundation arts and music educational initiatives within California’s Central Valley Region.

Willy Tea Taylor is a touring musician who No Depression Magazine called “one of the most important singer-songwriters of this generation.  His latest album, “Knuckleball Prime”, was released on October 23, 2015 by Blackwing Music as it’s inaugural music publishing project to support new artists in the Roots Americana Genre. Recorded in Nashville, TN, “Knuckleball Prime” features eleven original compositions that highlight Taylor’s brilliant storytelling and heartfelt vocals. Produced by Michael Witcher, Taylor’s songs are brought to life by a stellar lineup of musicians, including Gabe Witcher (Punch Brothers) on fiddle, Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers) on banjo, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek) vocals and Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) on piano.  Willy Tea is a strong believer in the importance of music and arts education in schools, volunteering in classrooms when he’s not on the road. He has been gracious enough to lend his stories, his songs and his passion for education to events benefiting the Blackwing Foundation.

The concert was opened by Nashville based Singer-Songwriter Brian Wright who pleased the audience before Willie Tea pleased the audiences with selections from his new album.

The Blackwing Foundation is most pleased to thank the additional regional sponsors who’s support for the show to assure maximum benefit back to our local arts and music educational initiatives:

• Gallo Center for the Arts – Modesto, CA
• The Lagorio Family of Companies – Stockton, CA
• The Grupe Company – Stockton, CA
• Peco/Inspx –  (Peco Controls Company – Modesto, CA)

As well as our National Corporate Sponsors:

• Duraflame, Inc. – Stockton, CA
• California Cedar Products Company – Stockton, CA

To learn more about Willy Tea Taylor, visit www.WillyTeaTaylor.com.

Blackwing Music is an extension of the musical heritage supporting the Blackwing pencil brand a unit of Stockton, CA based California Cedar Products Company