Tedeschi Trucks Band with Jimmie Vaughan and Billy Gibbons 4-28-16 Photo: Douglas Mason via Jazz Fest)
The 12-piece American roots-rock group Tedeschi Trucks Band are performing this summer on their “Wheels of Soul” amphitheater tour, joined by Los Lobos and North Mississippi Allstars. They’ll also be joined by an inspirational woman who’s running non-partisan voter registration drives at each concert.
Christine Randolph, 48, of Naugatuck, CT is afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. The disease has left her needing her own Wheels of Soul – a motorized scooter – to get around. But that hasn’t stopped her from becoming a volunteer Team Leader for HeadCount, a non-profit organization that specializes in registering voters at live music events.
She’s already registered hundreds of voters at concerts in her home state, and will now take her scooter and organizing savvy on the road to each “Wheels of Soul” stop in July. Every show on the tour will host a HeadCount booth where Randolph and local volunteers will help fans register to vote in the upcoming Presidential election.
Tedeschi Trucks are driven by Derek Trucks’ virtuoso guitar and Susan Tedeschi’s impassioned, blues-soaked vocals. “As a band we believe that it’s important for every citizen to research the issues that matter most to them and to exercise their right to vote,” says Trucks. “We’re excited to have HeadCount and Christine on tour with us this summer. Her dedication to raising awareness about active participation in our democracy inspires us all.”
Related: Review of Tedeschi Trucks at this year’s Jazz Fest
Christine Randolph photographed at Mountain Jam in Hunter Mountain, NY June 4, 2016 ©Jay Blakesberg
“I know Derek and Susan are big HeadCount supporters so I’m really excited to be on their tour and have their support,” says Randolph. “Just interacting with people from all around the country is going to be very interesting – to get the vibe in different cities and talk to people about the upcoming election.”
Tedeschi Trucks Band and various concert promoters supported HeadCount and the Randolphs by donating premium tickets and signed posters from each show, which were auctioned online.
Randolph has a Masters Degree in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University, and owns a small live music sound and lighting company with her husband.
“Christine is an inspiration to us all,” said Andy Bernstein, HeadCount’s executive director. “The first time we met, I was so moved by her positive outlook. I knew that if we sent her on the road, her passion would be contagious. This election needs more stories like this and people like Christine.”
Wheels of Soul 2016 Dates (Tickets are available here; if sold-out, try here):
July 08 – Rochester, NY – Highland Bowl Amphitheatre
July 09 – Marshfield, MA – Levitate Music & Arts Festival
July 10 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival
July 13 – Saratoga, NY – SPAC
July 15 – Bangor, ME – Darling’s Waterfront
July 16 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Meadowbrook
July 17 – Vienna, VA – WolfTrap – Sold Out
July 20 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods
July 22 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheatre
July 23 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless
July 24 – Charlotte, NC – Uptown Amphitheatre
July 27 – Indianapolis, IN – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
July 29 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center
July 30 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
July 31 – Sterling Heights, MI – Freedom Hill Amphitheatre
Aug 02 – Tulsa, OK – Brady Theater
Aug 04 – Albuquerque, NM – Sandia Casino Amphitheater
Aug 05 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks – Sold Out
Aug 07 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Gardens
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