Amy Bobchek’s day job is in advertising. But when her client, a bassist, asked her to sit in on a session with his band that needed a female vocalist, she couldn’t resist.
“It’s not anything I ever expected to be able to do, but I did have a fantasy to play the role of a rock star.” It was one of those rare moments when saying yes could transform your life.
Amy is now not only lead singer and keyboardist for the local cover band Big Bad Juju, but also co-founder of a coalition of local musicians and community leaders that annually hosts a music festival benefitting the area’s children in need.
The organization is aptly called BENEFIT—Bands Empowering Nonprofits through Engagement and Fundraising Improving Tomorrow. Members are required to play free at least once a year for a nonprofit event to “amp up” awareness for the area’s people in need. Their premier opportunity will be at the Crossroads Music Festival, performed on six stages throughout downtown Leesburg the afternoon and evening of Sept. 21.
BENEFIT co-founder Ara Bagdasarian of the band Frayed Knots says multiple stages will showcase up to 20 local bands and songwriters and is, “a platform to showcase some of the incredible original artists in our community.”
Amy has lived in the area for 30 years but has seen the music scene explode in just the last five to seven years.
“Check out Shaed, which just reached #1 on Billboard, or Car Seat Headrest, which was named in the top five albums of 2016 by Rolling Stone," Ara says. "Todd Wright and HalfKing studios have been an incredible catalyst in developing and producing so many new emerging artists.”
Check out the Crossroads Music Festival and learn how to unleash your inner rock star at Benefit.Live.
