John Delworth has been making significant contributions to the fabric of independent music in Nashville for more than 30 years. Among his roles, he played organ in Lambchop during the period in the 1990s when the band of musical misfits was becoming widely known and loved elsewhere (while barely being noticed at home). For the past seven years, Delworth has been undergoing treatment for a rare cancer called Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The stress and the expenses continue to mount, and a shedload of the friends Delworth has made over the decades is rallying to support him and his family with a series of benefit shows this weekend.
Liverpalooza is happening at venerable Five Points watering hole The 5 Spot Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 5. Friday’s show runs 5 to 8 p.m. and features the inimitable Kristi Rose and Fats Kaplin, country-rocker Chuck Mead and more. Saturday’s gig is 2 to 5 p.m., with sets including one from Delworth’s onetime Lambchop bandmate Paul Burch and his ace rock band the WPA Ballclub — perhaps you’ll get a taste of Burch’s forthcoming LP Cry Love. (Related: Don’t miss Meridian Rising, Burch’s debut novel featuring a fictional account of Jimmie Rodgers’ life, which shares its name and inspiration with his 2016 album.) Sunday’s finale is grand indeed, with performances from 5 to 8 p.m. by Nashville heroes of pop, rock and soul — namely Bill Lloyd, Joe Pisapia, The Altered Statesman and the duo of Emma Swift and Robyn Hitchcock.
The cover is $20 cash at the door for each show, and you can make additional donations onsite via QR code. There’ll be a silent auction featuring a new, unique slate of items each day as well. The Facebook event listing for the shows includes an apt aphorism: “When word reached the Delworths about the event, John said, ‘No man is a failure who has friends’ — we expect this to be a success indeed.”
