Washington, DC — On Thursday, December 4, Will Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy), Nicole Atkins, Hank Shocklee (Bomb Squad, Future Frequency), Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Jonny 5 and Brer Rabbit (Flobots) and Waterflow (of Senegalese hip-hop band Wageble) come together for “Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV” — a special evening of music at Tipitina’s Uptown (501 Napoleon Ave) at 9pm. The concert benefits Sweet Home New Orleans — a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for Katrina displaced musicians, Mardi Gras performers and other traditional New Orleans artists.

Tickets for the event are on sale now at www.tipitinas.com and in person at the Tipitina’s box office. Admission is $12, with all proceeds benefiting Sweet Home New Orleans.

“Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV” is the celebratory and fundraising finale of the fourth three-day activist retreat hosted by Air Traffic Control and Future of Music Coalition since the Gulf Coast storms of 2005. Artists from around the country converge on New Orleans to tour affected neighborhoods, visit with the city’s notable musicians and community leaders and participate in strategy sessions about how to integrate activism and philanthropy into their musical lives and careers.

“This year’s retreat and benefit concert look to be amazing,” says previous participant Jim James of My Morning Jacket. “Will Oldham is a Kentucky legend and one of the most inspired artists performing today. Hank Shocklee has produced some of the greatest music ever recorded and Nicole Atkins is one of the strongest new voices to arrive in quite some time. I’m sure it will be an evening of sheer delight and emotion as these artists and others from the NOLA music community and beyond will share the stage and bring the love.”

Past retreat participants include Steve Earle, Tom Morello, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Boots Riley (The Coup) Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Damian Kulash (OK Go), Nick Harmer (Death Cab for Cutie), the Indigo Girls, Matt Nathanson, Jim James and Patrick Hallahan (My Morning Jacket), Jon Langford (the Mekons) and more.

Jim James of My Morning Jacket continues: “I feel so fortunate to be able to have come to New Orleans to learn and celebrate with fellow friends, artists and musicians from NOLA and around the country. It is so important for us to keep New Orleans and its rich musical heritage alive and on people’s minds alongside the many other issues the world is dealing with right now. It’s hard to believe there are still countless unresolved situations from the damage and mismanagement of Katrina and other Gulf Coast storms. The good people of New Orleans deserve their due, as there are still so many wrongs to be righted and unfinished situations that need to be dealt with fairly.”

No two “Musicians Bringing Musicians Home” benefit concerts are the same. Past events have seen many artists performing together for the first time and sitting in on each other’s sets. These unique partnerships arise out of the camaraderie established during the retreat and, in some cases, continue well after participants have left New Orleans.

About Sweet Home New Orleans
Sweet Home New Orleans is a non-profit agency that offers social services and financial assistance to the city’s musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid and Pleasure Club members.

About Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups.

About Air Traffic Control
Air Traffic Control believes in the power of music, the influence of musicians, and the ability that music fans have to make social change. They exist to support and provide musicians and managers who want to be engaged in social change the resources and backing they need to make change.