National Benefit Concert Series

October 20, 2009 – Calgary, AB

Tom Jackson, actor/singer/philanthropist, begins his 6th season of Singing for Supper, a national Christmas concert series touring 18 cities from the east to west coast and for the first time, into the Northwest Territories.   Jackson’s musical advocacy for Canada’s less fortunate has resonated for 22 years as he has amassed over $10M for food banks, family service agencies and disaster relief.  In 2008, $402,000 was raised and 13,417 pounds of food collected from the tour. 

Speaking to his philanthropic mandate, Jackson states, “This year, for the first time, I have attained peace for myself personally.  However there is a blemish.  We are surrounded by conflict.  With 1/3 of the world’s population living in abject poverty, it is imperative we take action.  I don’t know if we – the people, the various levels of government, and the global community – are doing enough.  All I know is that to change the world, I sing.” 

Singing for Supper is a two-hour concert opening with Shannon Gaye followed by Pear.  These artists have played with Tom in many variations for a number of years and it was only natural they take the stage to perform in some of the R&B, pop and country genres they specialize.  The second hour features Tom delivering classic and contemporary Christmas selections.  One of the new songs in his repertoire is the soon-to-be released single, The Gift, available on iTunes or sold as a single with 2 bonus tracks at the concerts.  Distributed by EMI Music Canada, this single – as well as the compilation CD “Singing for Supper On Tour” - is also sold at select retail and on www.singingforsupper.ca.   These musical components become essential fundraising tools with 75% of gross sales revenue remaining with communities on the tour route. Selection of communities is based on geographical routing, community and sponsor requests. Typical venues are school theatres, churches, and community halls ranging in capacity from 300 to 1000.

Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life are the presenting sponsors of Singing for Supper.  National sponsors include Suncor Energy Inc., Enbridge Pipelines Inc., Theatre Calgary, Long & McQuade and Echohill Web Sites. 

Tour schedule and ticket details are at www.singingforsupper.ca.

2009 Tour Schedule

For interviews contact:
Alison Jackson, Project Manager
403 262-8422

The fourth season of “Swinging for Supper” golf tournaments was met with overwhelming response in Halifax, NS, Moncton, NB, Winnipeg, MB, Regina, SK, and Calgary, AB. Sponsors and special guests were entertained the night before at ‘kitchen parties’ featuring Tom Jackson, Tom McKillip and Craig Bignell in performance. Tournament hosts reported an increase in corporate support and registrants with plans developing quickly for 2010. Thanks to 2009 national sponsors Rotary International District 5360 Inc., Enbridge and Barefoot Wine.

More info at swingingforsupper.ca.