Michael Johnathon is on a mission to bring the beauty of music to those in need. His efforts in the face of natural disasters have touched the hearts of many.

"Using Music to Heal and Connect in the Wake of Disasters"

Creating the WoodSongs Flood Relief Effort

Michael Johnathon's initiative, the WoodSongs Flood Relief Effort, was born out of a deep sense of empathy for musicians affected by natural disasters. He saw the devastation caused by the 2021 tornadoes in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana and knew he had to do something. This led to the creation of an instrument drive to provide much-needed support to those in need.After the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods, his efforts grew exponentially, delivering nearly 2,000 instruments to musicians who had been left devastated. When Hurricane Helene swept across several Appalachian states this year, it was clear that it was time to start the drive again.

Helping Those Affected by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene was a Category 4 storm that made landfall in Florida on September 24. As it moved north, it brought catastrophic flooding to parts of western North Carolina, killing more than 200 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. Michael Johnathon was inspired by the destruction he saw on television and knew that he had to help.Through the WoodSongs Flood Relief Effort, he is working to collect as many instruments as possible to send to musicians in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. With the support of communities across several states, including Kentucky, his team is making great progress.Hayward Wilkerson, Kentucky Theatre director, was quick to jump on board when Johnathon asked if they wanted to be a drop-off center. "If you're a musician, you know how important your instrument is. It's like losing your right arm," he said.

The Power of Music in Times of Crisis

Michael Johnathon believes that using music for good work is just as important, if not more so, than having a hit record. As he reflects on the growth of the collection, he sees hope in the community. People are passionate about being supportive and helpful, and music matters."The storms didn't just take away people's cars, homes, and businesses. They took away the music of their communities," he said. "This is a way to show that music matters and art matters."The drive is ongoing, and plans are in place to deliver instruments to Asheville, North Carolina, early next year. Visit the WoodSongs website for details on how to donate and be a part of this important effort.