Prairie Rivers Network is thrilled to announce we will be hosting Nathan Graham (Chicago, IL) and Merry Travelers (Urbana, IL) at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana, IL for a Save Our Trees benefit concert. This concert will be on Arbor Day, Friday, April 26th with doors at 8:00PM and the show starting at 8:30PM. Tickets can be purchased here.
Our goal for this concert is to spread awareness on the impacts of herbicide drift and other agricultural pollution that is affecting not only Champaign-Urbana, but most of our state. After six years of monitoring and sampling trees and plants all across Illinois, we performed a study in the CU community. Recent tree sampling in Champaign-Urbana highlighted the presence of herbicides and symptoms of herbicide injury at all locations.
PRN and the Save Our Trees coalition are ringing the alarm and putting a spotlight on these findings, and this concert is bringing people together to do just that. By spreading awareness and taking action we can help stop herbicide drift and other agricultural pollution and help keep our trees, water, and ecosystems healthy.
NATHAN GRAHAM BIO
When you think of a singer-songwriter, who comes to mind? Nathan Graham says it probably isn’t somebody who looks like he does, and he wants to change that.
Born and raised in Chicago, Graham meshes South Side Blues with Nashville Americana, beginning his career backing blues singers at famous haunts like Buddy Guy’s Legends and Kingston Mines. He spent a decade as a guitar-for-hire before picking up a mic to tell his own stories on the stage.
Soulful and steady, Graham’s music offers a raw introspective of the human condition that’s both painful and comforting. His guitar conveys heartbreak, lyrics tell stories of regret, but his rich vocal delivery offers the remedy.
Having brought his songs on international tours with both major label and indie acts, Graham is challenging the notion of what it means to be a singer-songwriter. He’s driving inclusivity within the genre, and he hopes to evoke a sense of understanding in the process.
“I’m writing about universal experiences,” he says. “I’m writing music to connect my story to yours, show you all that we have in common, and maybe help both of us feel less alone.”
MERRY TRAVELERS BIO
Merry Travelers brings you a feel-good, groovy sound, uniquely blending soul, pop, rock, & psychedelia, with a comforting, vintage vibe. Fit for both dancing or just soaking in, their original songs evoke an ethos of self empowerment, discovery, and wonderment. The band is made up of musicians that are dedicated to their craft, each bringing in their musical influences and adding flavors of blues, funk, jazz, & more to the band’s live performances. Merry Travelers released their first full-length album in fall of 2023, entitled Golden Daze (available on all streaming services). Their bewitching & soothing sound will have you joyously transported.
BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
We are so excited for this show and to bring our community together to support such a crucial cause. All of us at Prairie Rivers Network can’t wait to see you at the Rose Bowl Tavern on Friday, April 26th. Don’t forget to get your ticket and SAVE OUR TREES!
