CAT-TV Launches Live Local Music Series, Encourages Donations to COVID Relief

BENNINGTON, VT—April 16, 2020—A meeting of the minds—Chris Wright's of Bennington Blotter, Mike Cutler's of Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV), and musician and local business owner Greg Van Houten—conceptualized a live local music series to benefit COVID-19 Relief at Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). It's called "Artists of the Shires Concerts."

The first concert will feature a few songs from each of a handful of musicians broadcasting live from their homes over the Zoom platform. It’s set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday, April 17. CAT-TV will facilitate the stream, much as they do public meetings, and broadcast it to viewers on its Facebook page and CAT-TV channel 16.

"We plan to replicate the event on Friday nights as long as we have interest," said Cutler. "It's nice to make a little good news and put live music back into people’s lives. We hope that the series will provide something to look forward to every week."

Viewers can tune in for free. The link to donate to local COVID-19 Relief will appear on the video and in the comments.

The idea to connect the event to SVHC was Greg Van Houten's.

“I had seen other musicians, including my brother-in-law in Los Angeles, streaming concerts and raising funds for hospitals. It seemed like a good idea,” Van Houten said. “It’s one way we can protect the people who are protecting us.”

The lineup for the first concert includes Tucker Beaudoin, Pam and Mike Gahan, GVH (Greg Van Houten), Charlie Rossiter, Jennifer Torrance.

"Southwestern Vermont Health Care would like to thank Mike Cutler of CAT-TV, Chris Wright of Bennington Blotter, and Greg Van Houten of GVH Studio for developing this event, and their ongoing support of the health system," said Tom Dee, SVHC’s president and CEO. "This is what makes our region a special place; it is so rich with talented people who are eager to give their time for a good cause. We thank and appreciate everyone who answers the call to support us with a contribution to our COVID-19 relief efforts."

About CAT-TV:
Catamount Access Television Corporation (CAT-TV) provides public, educational, and governmental television access services to the towns and villages of Bennington, North Bennington, Woodford, Pownal and Shaftsbury, Vermont on Comcast Cable Channels 15, 16 and 17. We are primarily funded by Comcast, based on regulations enacted by the Vermont Public Service Board.

We promote access to multimedia services that foster free speech and public dialogue. We provide a venue for citizens to engage in local government, education, arts and other areas of interest. Under the First Amendment, we remain “content neutral” and support the Free Speech rights of our members.