Babies and blues music. The two aren’t typically associated with the other, but for a few hours this Sunday, Sept. 26, the blues will be played to help out a lot of Alabama’s babies.


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The War Eagle Supper Club will be hosting “Blues for Babies,” a concert benefiting the Alabama chapter of The March of Dimes. This will be the third “Blues for Babies” concert and the second time the Supper Club is hosting the event.

According to Linda Gross, senior community director for the Alabama Chapter-Central Division of March of Dimes, the money raised through the concert will help a lot of babies in need.

“In an average week in Alabama, 207 babies are born pre-term, 36 are born very pre-term, 27 are born low birth-weight and 24 are born very low birth-weight,” Gross said. “And the saddest statistic is that 13 of these babies will not live to see their first birthday.”

The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 as a foundation to find a cure for polio. Once the polio vaccine was created, the March of Dimes became an advocate for babies born prematurely or with birth defects.

Gross said that the “Blues for Babies” benefit will benefit their mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality in Alabama.

“In Alabama, we have far too many precious babies being born too soon, often times too small and struggling to just stay alive,” Gross said.

According to Gross, local Auburn musician Lance Acreman, suggested the idea of “Blues for Babies” as a fundraiser in 2008. Acreman helped to secure the bands for the first event at the Olde Auburn Ale House.

“Last year, as this year, we’re holding the event at The War Eagle Supper Club, with strong support from the owner, John Brandt,” Gross said. “This is a very relaxed and fun evening. The musicians donate their time and love playing for the babies.”

Gross hopes for the event to raise at least $1,000 for March of Dimes.

According to Brandt, the event will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. with a $5 cover to be donated to March of Dimes. Brandt said that musicians performing include: Tony Brook, Paul Gross, Wendy Hamme, Emery Kidd, Lance Acreman, Wade Allen and a few surprise acts.

The event will also feature a silent auction and all the proceeds will benefit March of Dimes.

“My husband, Paul, teaches at the Guitar Shoppe in Auburn and is also performing at ‘Blues for Babies,’ hence my fortunate connection to some very kind and big-hearted musicians in the East Alabama area,” Gross said