These are hard times for many and while it’s hard to ask for help,
SoulFest’s future depends on it.
SoulFest, an annual 3-day Christian Music Festival focused on Music, Love, & Action, is produced by New Sound Concerts, Inc., a 501c3 started by Dan and Alison Russell in 1978 to bring Christian music to New England. SoulFest’s purpose is to celebrate God’s love and encourage all who attend to live from the inside out as soul-connected, risk-taking Believers in God’s love. The first SoulFest was held in 1998 at Loon Mountain, in Lincoln, NH, and is approaching its 23rd celebration, which will be held at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, NH (host location since 2004). New Sound Concerts has been producing and promoting Christian concerts in New England for over 40 years and finds itself at a crossroads to carry on.
With little revenue coming in due to the impact of COVID-19, compounding previous debt, our attention is also turned towards the Russell family as they focus on Dan’s recovery from his mid-April stroke and ensuing medical bills.
SoulFest experienced a large financial loss in 2019; we were working hard to implement new ideas and focusing on a fresh lineup to make up for the loss, which was working until COVID-19 hit American soil. When ticket sales slowed, plus vendors and sponsors were being financially impacted and pulling back, closing that gap became more difficult, let alone continuing to pay our small staff. Our paycheck protection loan delayed, forcing layoffs just as SoulFest co-founder, Dan Russell, had a stroke affecting his left (dominant) side. As a singer-songwriter working on his second album, and the creative voice behind SoulFest, this has been incredibly hard on Dan, his family, and the broad community of SoulFest friends beyond the New Sound team.
It became apparent that by August in New Hampshire, we would likely not be able to hold an event, even to the size of 2019, forget about increasing attendance. Costs would increase to provide for new social distancing protocols, coupling with low attendance, and put us even further in debt. Postponing became our only option. The live music landscape and gatherings are greatly changed for 2020 and beyond, though we have hope and great anticipation for what they will look like in 2021. This is a highly innovative time in our history. We are pivoting, regrouping, listening, and moving forward.
It’s not all grim, but the legacy and continuation of New Sound Concerts and the SoulFest depend heavily on the support of its patrons and anyone who cares to continue to see this community and gathering sustained in New England.
This annual event supports the local economy by bringing 8,000-10,000 people to the Laconia area to experience spiritual growth, rejuvenation, and adventure, sending them back inspired to take LOVE into their homes, communities, and around the globe.
We need to raise funds to support the New Sound Concerts team in finding a sustainable path forward with the changing landscape for live events and the Russell family through this time of recovery and healing.
This $150,000 will provide stability to navigate the new terrain of gathering around SoulFest’s mission, ensuring its platform continues to share the hope and love of God through music.
Any amount helps #SaveSoulFest. Exceeding this goal does too.