500 Songs for Kids returns

For each of the last two years, the Songs for Kids Foundation has put on an amazing charity concert series at Smith's Olde Bar called "500 Songs for Kids." In 2007, they used the Rolling Stone list of the 500 best songs of all time, and in 2008 they assembled their own list of the 500 best sing-a-long songs. This year, 500 Songs for Kids is back with the 500 most passionate songs of all time, and it starts tonight and runs through May 9th.

If you go, you will see 50 artists or bands a night perform well-known songs in their unique way. Sometimes it will be awful, sometimes it will be hilarious, and sometimes it will be extraordinary. Well known acts such as Cracker, Cee-Lo, Drivin' and Cryin' and Shawn Mullins have performed in years past. This year the celebrity participants will include members of the Drive By Truckers, Angie Aparo, Arrested Development, Francine Reed, Shawn Mullins, Gavin DeGraw, and more still to be announced.

In each of the last 2 years I have discovered numerous bands that blew me away, and made the whole experience worth it. Shows start at 6:45 pm and go to the wee hours (it takes a long time to play 50 songs while changing setups between each one.) I urge you to stop by Smith's any night in the next 10 days and give it a listen, for a good cause.

Previous coverage here and elsewhere from 2007 and 2008:
Unexpected Finds
Tendaberry
500 Songs for Kids List Revealed
Songs for Kids at Smith's
Last Weekend of Freedom
Cool Music for a Cause