We were humbled and delighted attending a Healing Garden Concert this weekend.  If you are not familiar with Healing Gardens, that is awesome.  If you are, you or a loved one may be suffering from cancer.

We became aware of this charity event through a long-time, and well-respected singer and songwriter, Antsy McClain, when he announced he would be performing in the Boston area in support of this event, and we are always happy to support Antsy whenever we can.

Healing Gardens are patio garden areas created at cancer hospital treatment centers across the US and Canada.  For almost 30 years, Terry Eagan, entrepreneur and sponsor of Healing Gardens, wanted to support and honor his wife who passed away in 1992 from cancer by innovating the Healing Gardens initiative.  Terry, through his wife’s vision, saw a need for cancer patients and caregivers to have a quiet, serene, and emotionally supportive green garden space at these treatment centers during otherwise physically and emotionally draining stays.  To support this ongoing effort, he put together this fund-raising concert, which benefits the Healing Garden at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA.

Sponsored by Patio Records, the Healing Garden Concert was orchestrated by Terry at the French American Victory Club in Waltham, MA.  Performing at the concert were Irene Kelley, Antsy McClain, and Lance Cowan.  This was a magical, intimate, performance by three gifted songwriters/storytellers.  Quite literally, we were dazzled by each of the three Nashville-area performers.

Irene Kelley has had her songs recorded by such artists as Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, and Trisha Yearwood.  Her credits would be completely lacking if mention was not made of her beautiful, exquisite and evocative voice.  Simply a beautiful, beautiful singer – even though she may be better known for her songwriting.  Please look her up wherever you find your music.

Antsy McClain is a bit of a force of nature.  We first became familiar with him when he would perform with his Trailer Park Troubadours at several different venues.  You may recognize his name – he was featured on the cover of Mediocre Guitar Player Magazine in 2012.  His strength is in his brilliant, creative, and downright funny storytelling to song.  If you’re not smiling or laughing after an Antsy song, you probably weren’t listening.

Also performing, likewise as the others in from the Nashville area, was Lance Cowan.  Lance is a fabulous songwriter of Americana and has been largely performing in the background for many industry greats, although he fully deserves to be center stage.

Check out these singer/songwriters, and kudos to Terry for making a difference in the lives of others!