Musicians and artists enrich our lives, inspire passion, and bring joy to others — invaluable in engaging and bringing the community together. Relying on freelance or contract work, many creatives can’t afford health insurance. “With an older musician or artist, when they’re not able to work, they don’t have 401(k)s or a retirement plan, so how do they take care of themselves?” asked Johnathan Williams, founder and CEO of Quality of Life Services (an elder care service), president of the nonprofit Love of People and co-founder of Blue Monday Mission, operating as a non-profit under the Love of People Umbrella.
Blue Monday Mission provides life care services for aging, retired and elder musicians and artists. While not a musician himself, Williams is a nurse of 17 years and wanted to make a difference. The Blue Monday Concert Series raises money through performances at Rock ‘N’ Bowl Lafayette every second Monday of the month — currently on hold due to the pandemic.
Along with invited guest artists, the Blue Monday house band of seasoned musicians, put on a show — Lee Allen Zeno (of Buckwheat Zydeco) on bass, Jill Merkl on keys and vocals, Kent August on guitar, Ron Eades (of Muscle Shoals Horns) on saxophone, and Louisiana Music Hall of Famers Tony Goulas on guitar and Steve Adams on drums and vocals. “You have young, old, rich, poor, white, black, every demographic that makes up Acadiana in one room, straight jammin’, and coming together to provide for our artists.”
The nonprofit has touched the lives of more than 100 musicians. Funds also provide bill assistance, grocery and medication purchases, and rides to health appointments. The pandemic brought to light needs of younger musicians, who like other musicians could no longer perform live. “My phone was ringing off the hook,” Williams said, describing the early days of lockdown. “Older and younger creators who had no ability to bring in money outside of gigging now had to deal with everything shutting down.” Meal drives ensued, providing 5,000 meals for those struggling.
Whether younger, aging or retired, the nonprofit is a way to pay it forward to artists who’ve given invaluable experiences to the community. “It offers us an opportunity to show these people how much we value and appreciate them while they’re alive. It gives them peace of mind that their legacy will remain.”