State Radio Takes Action On Us Tour, Joins With Amnesty International

Rock reggae trio State Radio are keeping busy while on the road through February. The band, who have become known for their socio-politically charged lyrics and high-energy live shows, are practicing what they preach. On each stop of their current tour, State Radio is participating in environmental or hunger focused community service projects. Just last weekend, between sold out shows in California, the band and crew woke up early to remove thousands of invasive Spanish broom plants in an effort to prevent the kind of wildfires that destroyed parts of the state last summer. The community was so inspired that the local CBS affiliate even paid them a visit while they worked.

Additionally, the band has teamed up with "Rock For A Remedy," who will host food drives at the remaining show dates.

State Radio has also joined forces with Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) to produce an online public service announcement about death-row inmate Troy Davis; Davis has been on death row for 19 years and came within 24 hours of execution twice, despite a strong claim of innocence that, to date, has not been heard in a court of law. State Radio frontman Chad Stokes Urmston heard about Davis and was so moved by the case that he penned the song "State Of Georgia" and has donated it to AIUSA to develop the PSA. The band plans to hold a "Justice For Troy Davis" rally in Atlanta on Friday, February 13 prior to the show their that evening.

Urmston, along with tour manager Sybil Gallagher, also just launched "Calling All Crows," a human rights organization aimed at mobilizing musicians and their fans to take action through public service and providing humanitarian aid. In 2009, "Calling All Crows" has set a goal of raising $100,000 to protect woman against violence in the Darfur region of Sudan. Fundraisers have been announced for Boulder (Home Run Derby) and Providence (5K Road Race) with more coming soon including a Global Youth Service Day volunteer-a-thon across the country over the weekend of April 24-26.

And lastly, Urmston will join Ani DiFranco for seven dates in March. He will open the shows with a solo acoustic set, and the proceeds from these shows will go towards "Calling All Crow."

State Radio on tour:

• Tues, Feb 3 Omaha, NE @The Waiting Room Lounge
• Wed, Feb 4 Tulsa, OK @ Cain's
• Thur, Feb 5 Dallas, TX @ The Pontiac Garage/House of Blues
• Fri, Feb 6 Austin, TX @ Antone's
• Sat, Feb 7 Houston, TX @ Numbers
• Sun, Feb 8 New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
• Tue, Feb 10 Birmingham, AL @ Work Play Theatre
• Wed, Feb 11 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
• Fri, Feb 13 Atlanta, GA @ The Variety Playhouse
• Sat, Feb 14 Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm
• Sun, Feb 15 Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
• Mon, Feb 16 New York, NY @ The Bowery Ballroom
• Tue, Feb 17 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
• Wed, Feb 18 Rochester, NY @ Water Street
• Thur, Feb 19 Killington, VT @ The Pickle Barrel
• Fri, Feb 20 Huntingdon, PA @ Juanita College
• Sat, Feb 21 Providence, RI @ Lupo's

Chad Stokes Urmston solo acoustic dates with Ani DiFranco:

• Tues, Mar 3 Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House
• Wed, Mar 4 Charlottesville, VA @ Paramount Theatre
• Sat, Mar 7 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• Mon, Mar 9 Roanoke, VA @ Jefferson Center
• Tue, Mar 10 Durham, NC @ Carolina Theatre
• Wed, Mar 11 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
• Fri, Mar 13 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

Comments