[EXCLUSIVE] PREMIERE: The Contribution “The Great Boot” to Benefit Conscious Alliance

by Jason Earle • March 15, 2017

90% of residents in Pine Ridge Reservation, the Lakota people of South Dakota live in poverty. Their condition is not unique. Many of our nation’s Indian reservations endure the pains of addiction, marginalization, and loss. The solutions are not easy. In fact, perhaps the only real solution is a concerted investment in education.

Conscious Alliance (Art That Feeds) recognizes the complicated nature of the problem and is doing something about it. In 2002, Conscious Alliance began working toward the solution. First, by collecting cans at String Cheese Incident’s festival, the same one that birthed The Contribution. Then by expanding to events ranging from Wannee festival in Live Oak, FL to Dave Matthews and Wilco shows.

We are providing an opportunity to make a difference in the middle of someone’s good time,”

says Justin Levy, Executive Director of Conscious Alliance. At the first event with String Cheese, a group of good folks showed up with a table and an idea. Concert goers gave canned goods in exchange for concert posters. The initial drive yielded 4,000 cans of food for families in need and Conscious Alliance was on its way to being born.

The Contribution is releasing yet another tune from their forthcoming record Wilderness and Space, and Shows I Go To is bringing you an exclusive premiere of the single. This time, proceeds from the song’s sale are going to the ultra-worthy Conscious Alliance. Most impressively, Conscious Alliance has focused much of its efforts on educating youth in underserved communities about sustainable practices.

What has happened is young volunteers are giving back to their community,”

Levy tells Shows I Go To. Through their efforts, Conscious Alliance has been able to launch the nation’s first all natural backpack program, he tells us.

Most of the kids in the areas served are on free or reduced lunch. When they go home on the weekends, they either starve or put trash in their bodies. The results are devastating. Eating poorly leads to low attendance rates, anemic test scores, depression, hypertension, and on and on.

Conscious Alliance’s all natural backpack program sends kids home with natural, nutritious meals for the weekend. Consequently, communities served by the program have experienced improved attendance rates which naturally leads to an increase in other areas of need. Solve the nation’s nutrition crisis and you solve poverty.

Thankfully, Conscious Alliance has our nation’s youth in mind. The Contribution also recognizes the critical importance of nutrition and education, thus the proceeds from their latest single will go to Conscious Alliance, a hero in a world needing saviors.

“The Great Boot” will be released for your purchase this Friday, March 17. The music is good enough to spend a dollar on without any ulterior motive. Tim Carbone’s violin virtuosity takes center stage, especially near the end of the track. But the cause is one to celebrate beyond just this single. Download “The Great Boot” by The Contribution this Friday (3/17) then check out the other ways you can help an inspiring cause.

Download The Contribution’s New Single Here

“The Contribution is the brainchild of Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth (violin, guitar, vocals) together with Phil Ferlino (keyboards, vocals) and Jeff Miller (guitar, vocals) of New Monsoon. Keith Moseley (String Cheese Incident), has been the bass player from the band’s inception along with vocalist Sheryl Renee (The Black Swan Singers). The drum chair has been occupied by Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra), and currently Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic). Both Matt Butler and Duane Trucks appear on the band’s new record, Wilderness and Space.”