Detroit people once again show their love for one another, and music as they congregate to raise money for a worthy cause.

For the sixth year, Jammin’ For Joseph was held on Saturday night in Detroit at The Fillmore. Jammin’ For Joseph is a benefit concert to defeat Duchenne.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most severe of the muscular dystrophy diseases, according to the Cure Duchenne website. According to the MDA website, it primarily affects boys between ages 3 and 5. Until recently, death was likely to follow by the teen years.

However, new advances allow Duchenne sufferers to live into their 20s and 30s, with some even living well past 40. But such advances in treatment costs money, and that is what Jammin’ For Joseph is all about.

Team Joseph hosted this event. It is made up of Marissa Penrod and a team of volunteers that help out with events and raising money for medical research. Marissa is the mother of Joseph Penrod, who was diagnosed in 2008 at the age of five with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The show on Thursday evening started off with Cassadee Pope taking the stage first. Cassadee was the season three (2012) winner of NBC’s The Voice, participating on Team Blake.  She entertained the crowd by singing songs from her upcoming debut album, starting with “I Wish I Could Break Your Heart.”

Before starting into “Standing On The Edge Of A Thunderstorm,” Cassadee talked about how she loves Detroit, and it’s people.  She also spoke how she appreciates them for the welcome. She mentioned her duet with Chris Young, “Think Of You,” and thanked the crowd for supporting the song.  Cassadee ended her part of the evening on stage with her debut single, “Wasting All These Tears.”

As the crowd continued to file into The Fillmore, it was time for Old Dominion.  Entering the stage, they started their show off with their current single, “Snapback,” from their debut album, Meat And Candy.

Old Dominion is made up of five guys: Matt Ramsey (vocals and guitar), Brad Tursi (guitar and vocals), Trevor Rosen (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Geoff Sprung (bass) and Whit Sellers on (drums).  The band was united and formed in Nashville, although four of the five band mates have links back in Virginia.  The crowd came to life when they learned one, Trevor Rosen, is originally from the Detroit area.

Singing songs from the album, they played one into another and kept the crowd hopping and dancing as the songs played on. Fans later reported that those in the balcony could feel it shake from all the dancing.

For the crowd down on the floor, they received a surprise when Matt jumped down off of the stage and into the center of the crowd to sing “Nowhere Fast” and pose for selfies with those around him.

Thanking the crowd for coming out to support a great cause, Matt also thanked them for their first number one song, “Break Up With Him.” The crowd showed their approval by singing loudly back to them. The set ended with the guys playing “Wrong Turn.”

It then it was time for headliner Canaan Smith. Canaan is the only veteran to this worthy fundraiser, as this is his fourth time performing at Jammin’ For Joseph. His love for this great event brings him back year after year to help with fundraising.

Canaan started his show with his newly released single, “Hole In A Bottle,” from his debut album, Bronco. Singing songs from the album, Canaan kept the crowd dancing with his up-tempo musical arrangement as he bounced back and forth from one side of the stage to the other.

Canaan played “Back To Virginia,” a song he wrote that is near and dear to him but did not make the album. At its conclusion, Canaan grabbed an American flag and began to wave it back and forth overhead as the crowd chanted “USA” over and over.

Speaking to the crowd, Canaan talked about Joseph Penrod, the concert’s namesake, and how he enjoys attending this event. He mentioned how awesome Joseph is and how great his attitude is, all the while dealing with the disease.

Before going into his next song, “American Muscle,” Canaan stated he destroys a drum when they play this song, which is later auctioned off with proceeds going to war veterans. For this show, the auction proceeds will go to Jammin’ For Joseph.

Canaan the set with his number one hit song, “Love You Like That.”

As the night came to an end and all the tallies were added up from donations and other contributions, Jammin’ For Joseph collected over $80,000 to help in the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Although the fight is far from an end, there is still money to be raised and research to be done. If you would like to donate or want to learn more about this disease, go to the links provided below.

Jammin’ For Joseph/Team Joseph
Website | Facebook

Canaan Smith
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Old Dominion
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cassadee Pope
Website | Facebook | Twitter

The Fillmore Detroit
Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

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