Matthews, Anastasio and Stapleton play charity gala that raises $3M
Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio and Chris Stapleton each played a two-song acoustic set in Manhattan on Sept. 15 to help raise more than $3 million for cancer research.
The money came in at one dinner. The occasion was the 51st annual T.J. Martell Foundation New York Honors Gala, held at Cipriani, which honours figures from across the music business for charity work.
This year’s lifetime music industry award went to Coran Capshaw. Capshaw is the founder of Red Light Management, and all three of the night’s performers are on his roster.
The gala raised more than $3 million, according to Billboard. That total broke the fundraising record set in 2024. It makes this year’s dinner the most successful Martell gala in more than two decades.
What makes this stand out is the direct link between the award and the stage. The three performers did not just appear in support of Capshaw. They work with him, and they played for a room gathered in his name.
The T.J. Martell Foundation says its mission is to bring the music community together to cure cancer, as stated on its official site. It funds high-risk, high-reward research aimed at advancing clinical trials and new drug discoveries. The organisation began as a promise between music executive Tony Martell and his son T.J., who died of cancer.
To date, the foundation has raised more than $300 million for cancer research.
