Lost Voices is a Michigan nonprofit corporation whose mission is to develop and conduct creative writing and music programs to benefit incarcerated and at-risk youth. The work along these lines by Lost Voices founder, Erma Bombeck Award-winning humorist Mike Ball, has been featured in the Ann Arbor News, the Detroit News, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, PBS, and other media outlets over the past four years.

Concert for Lost Voices in Whitmore Lake by Josh White, Jr., Kitty Donohoe and Madcat Ruth and Others To Benefit At-Risk Youth.

On Sunday, August 24 2008 the sounds of folk music legend Josh White, Jr., singer/songwriter Kitty Donohoe, harmonica virtuoso Peter “Madcat” Ruth, and some other musical surprises will fill the air over Whitmore Lake. They’re all donating their time and talents to the second annual Concert For Lost Voices, a benefit aimed at raising money to provide programs for incarcerated and at-risk youth.

Of course, the food will be as great as the music. Zingerman’s Deli of Ann Arbor is a major sponsor of the event, and will be selling their world-famous food to benefit the cause. You’ll be able to sample their delicious fare both on the concert site and from a boat positioned offshore for nautical passers-by.

The concert’s other major sponsor, National City Bank, is providing extensive behind-the-scenes help for the project.

Lost Voices is a Michigan non-profit founded by nationally-syndicated humorist Mike Ball. Their mission is to continue and expand the work, started more than four years ago, that Ball along with some of the concert’s featured artists have been doing with incarcerated and at-risk youth in Michigan. The group facilitates roots music writing workshops for youth in institutions like the W.J. Maxey Boys Training School in Whitmore Lake, the Adrian Girls Training School in Adrian, MI, or the Renaissance Alternative School in Howell, MI.

“Lost Voices is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever been involved in,” said Ball. “We’ve been able to really connect with these kids on so many levels. We help them explore their hopes, fears, pain, and joy through the folk and blues traditions that are at the core of all American music. Ultimately, they step up and express some of their deepest feelings in ways they never thought possible.”

At the end of the Lost Voices workshops the youth get on stage and perform their own music in a professionally-staged concert. “Hearing the applause of their peers and teachers has a transformative effect on the kids,” said Ball. “The most common thing they say at the end of the experience is that they will never forget that day. If Lost Voices can help plant just a seed of self-worth in these kids, all our effort will be worth it.”

Ball will not only MC the August 24 benefit concert – he’s hosting it at his house. “Our deck is a natural stage, playing to the yard and the lake,” he said. “Last year we had about 200 people seated on the grass and another 200 to 300 people on volunteer pontoon boats anchored next to the dock. Plus, there were a lot of people cruising around on the lake who dropped in for some tunes and Zingerman’s food.”

Tickets for the Concert For Lost Voices will be $15 in advance and $20 at the door. They are available online at LostVoices.org and at local Whitmore Lake merchants, including National City Bank, Whitmore Lake Florist, the Peaberry Bean Coffee Shop, Main Street Hair Salon, and Seek Within. The Concert starts at 4:00 PM. In case of inclement weather, the entire event will be moved indoors to the theater at the Whitmore Lake High School.

The Concert For Lost Voices still needs additional sponsors and volunteers – including some more pontoon boats for the afternoon of the concert. If you would like to help, contact Mike at mball@lostvoices.org or 734-449-5700. More details are available at the Lost Voices Web site: LostVoices.org