Band to Rock Clawson High School at Benefit Concert

National singing group JTX will play a special, one-time concert at on Friday. The band will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. to help raise money for the school district’s performing arts program which works to keep music alive in the classroom.

Carey Weaver, drummer for JTX and an alumnus of Clawson High School, approached the Clawson Performing Arts Boosters with the idea for the concert.

“Everyone in our band started playing music when they were in high school and we all know how much our musical experiences have contributed to our lives,” Weaver said. “To think of kids nowadays not having an everyday exposure to music and the opportunity to play it just doesn't sit well with us.”

Because JTX will be covering 100 percent of the costs of their show, every dollar generated will go to the Boosters’ fund to purchase new uniforms for the district’s band, string and choir groups.

JT Harding, lead singer of JTX, was raised in Grosse Pointe and said he recognizes the abundance of young talent in Michigan. The concert will mark the band’s first trip home to the area. Recently, they have been touring the country promoting their new single “Love in America” which currently sits atop the Sirius XM Radio charts.

JTX has opened for Linkin Park and Uncle Kracker. Harding is just as accomplished behind the scenes as he is in front of an audience, writing musical hits not only for his own band, but other artists, too. He is credited with penning the double platinum single “Smile” by Uncle Kracker and Kenny Chesney’s recent No. 1 hit “Somewhere With You”.

JTX understands the significance of music in schools, attributing such programs to the success they have achieved today. The band hopes that the community will attend their concert not only to have fun, but to really understand what performing arts programs can instill in the next generation of musicians.

“Maybe if the students hear us play a song they recognize, they'll know that if a dreamer like myself can write some big hits, then anyone can do anything,” Harding said. “That's not a bad feeling on Friday night.”

The Clawson Performing Arts Boosters purchase music for classrooms, provide musical instrument repair and award scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the district. The JTX concert will mark the Boosters’ first-ever event featuring an outside band.

The show is open to the public and is a family event. Tickets are $10 and can be either purchased in advance at school or at the door.

More information about JTX can be found at its Facebook page, and its music can be purchased from iTunes.