Group to hold telethon to benefit out-of-work musicians

ST. PETERSBURG — Local producer and musician Brandon C. Williams and Heather and Dave Hamar, owners of The MAR St Pete, a planned theater and event space, have organized a benefit to help musicians who have lost their income because of cancellations and venue closures caused by the conoravirus.

Williams has created a T-shirt with the message, “Let Music Be the Cure.” The Hamars have launched a charity campaign through their nonprofit, Project MAR, for the T-shirt sales. Proceeds will help struggling musicians in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota areas.

The three have teamed with friend and local business owner Jarrett Haas, co-founder of Different Church in St. Pete, to organize a telethon. The “Let Music be the Cure!” telethon will air at 8 p.m., May 1, on Facebook. Go to https://www.facebook.com/TheMarStPete/ for the show, or donate at www.project-mar.org.