TD Garden, Boston MA
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Jim Irsay gave Boston a night to remember on July 15, 2023 by sharing not only a substantial showing of his vast collection of music and historical memorabilia but also giving those who chose to sign up on his collection site a FREE concert featuring artists from many different genres who all showed up to support Irsay’s causes.
The billionaire owner of the Colts is heavily involved in giving back to those in need and supporting the care of many who have mental health issues and are hesitant to come forward. The organization Irsay most involved in is his charity Kicking The Stigma.
He is also involved in raising awareness of other charities and as a result there was $25,000 given to two charities in the Boston area during his time here for the collection display and concert event.
- The Joe Andruzzi Foundation, based in North Attleborough, Mass., provides help, hope and a reason to smile for New England cancer patients by contributing financial support when it is needed most. Founded by former New England Patriots three-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Andruzzi and his wife Jen, the Foundation grew out of Andruzzi’s own successful battle with cancer and the couple’s ongoing work with cancer patients across the region. In 2007, Andruzzi’s football career abruptly ended when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt’s lymphoma. After becoming cancer-free, the Andruzzis chose to dedicate their lives towards solving the financial distress a cancer diagnosis can cause in the lives of patients and families. For more info or to make a donation, visit joeandruzzifoundation.org.
- Team Sharing Inc., based in Marlborough, Mass., a national organization of parents who have lost a child to substance use disorder. Through social networking, community activism, grief services and advocacy, Team Sharing provides support and friendship to grieving families while working to raise awareness of substance use disorder and its impact on our communities. For more info, visit teamsharinginc.org.
Jim Irsay has a remarkable collection of historic items. He has the Stetson hat former Texas governor John Connally was to give as a gift to JFK at an event in 1963. Sadly, Connally never had the chance, as JFK was assassinated hours before the event.
Irsay owns an original manuscript of the Jack Kerouac novel “On the Road” plus guitars from several rock legends, including Prince, Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia. The original of the Alcoholics Anonymous handbook. The drum kit from the Beatles used when they were on the Ed Sullivan.
He has so many famous guitars it’s impossible to list in the article, all with unique histories. You just have to see the collection and take them all in.
Next up was the concert. Just like the collection, the concert was totally free.
The band was joined throughout the night by Irsay on vocals and featured special guest sets by Vince Gill, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, and Peter Wolf from the J Geils Band.
The show is led by guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills, legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff, Billy Branch on harmonica, Tom Bukovac on guitar, Danny Nucci on guitar and sax, Michael Ramos on keys, Carmella Ramsey on guitar, mandolin, and vocals, and Michael Wanchic on guitar.
During the show various football players came upon stage and threw signed hats and footballs to the audience as well.
If you are fortunate enough to have one of Jim Irsay’s collection events come to your area do take the time and go. You will not regret it. He and his entire team and all the musicians who take time out of their schedules to join him make sure that the attendees have a fantastic time.
This is one of the best shows we have seen all year.
To see more information about Jim Irsay’s Collection and future events check out The Jim Irsay Collection
Article by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
