Friday, November 24, 7-8:30pm, Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 7 W. Henderson Rd.

Friends. Freedom. Food. Music. Parents. Children. Pets. Laughter. Emotions. And dozens of other things. Despite a divided nation, health threats, racial injustice, and many other challenges, we all have so much to be thankful for.

So join me (Bill Cohen) from 7pm to 8:30pm on Friday, November 24 as I sing a unique concert of songs that express gratitude for all that we have. It’s our 10th year for this Thanksgiving-themed concert.

Playing piano and guitar, I’ll sing songs written by, made famous by, or inspired by, a wide variety of folks: John Denver, the Weavers, Phil Ochs, Louis Armstrong, and Don McLean. Even Johnny Appleseed, Jiminy Cricket, and the TV show, “Golden Girls.”

On several songs, Ann Fisher will add beautiful flute accompaniment, David Maywhoor will add percussion, and Joe Lambert and Joanne Blum will add soothing vocal harmony.

Besides the music in the gratitude concert, we’ll hear some thoughtful quotes, reminding us of our many blessings. No sermons here but words of inspiration and emotion from sources as varied as Albert Schweitzer, Rod Serling, Gandhi, Einstein, and Buddha.

This is a free concert, but if you appreciate the songs and the message, during the show we’ll “pass the hat” for donations for a non-profit charity, International Medical Alliance of Tennessee. That’s the group that my wife Randi goes with to the Dominican Republic every February. The all-volunteer group of doctors, nurses, and medical students provides free medical care to impoverished, disenfranchised Haitian workers who live and work just inside the Dominican Republic border.

Randi serves as the group’s interpreter, bridging the language gap between the Spanish-speaking patients and the English-speaking medical workers.

Hosted by Bill Cohen Sings.