Country Music Concert Coming to the D to Support Student Scholarships

DETROIT, Mich. — Get ready for an unforgettable evening as the Wood Box Heroes, a renowned American acoustic super-group, bring their country and bluegrass flair to Detroit. The band will perform a special concert, ‘A Night for Our Future,’ at DBG Detroit on October 25, 2024, located at 6445 E. Vernor Highway. All proceeds from the event will benefit the William J. Gilbane Scholarship Fund, which helps students from Detroit’s Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG) attend private high schools in the metro area.

The scholarship fund, founded by businessman and philanthropist Tom Petzold and his wife Jeanne, honors Tom’s grandfather, Bill Gilbane, who also funded educational opportunities for student athletes. The Gilbane Scholarship provides DBG students with full tuition and transportation costs to private schools, enabling them to focus on academics and future career aspirations. To date, 15 students have received scholarships, attending prestigious schools like Loyola, Regina, U of D Jesuit, and De La Salle Collegiate.

“We’re thrilled to bring the community together for a night of incredible music while supporting such an important cause,” said Petzold. “The Wood Box Heroes are some of Nashville’s finest musicians, and their passion for making a difference aligns perfectly with the mission of DBG. Their live shows are simply extraordinary.”

The Birth of the Concert
The Wood Box Heroes band members first connected with DBG during a visit last year, after playing a private concert in northern Michigan. Grammy-nominated guitarist and lead vocalist Josh Martin was struck by the impactful work being done at the gym, which led him and his bandmates to take action and help support the program.

“When we saw the magic at DBG – how they’re helping students grow, pursue their passions, and learn – we knew we wanted to get involved,” said Martin. “We play bluegrass, but not your grandfather’s bluegrass. We can’t wait to bring a high-energy show to Detroit that’ll keep people on their toes!”

Performing alongside Martin are an all-star lineup, including 15-time Grammy award-winning bassist Barry Bales, 5-time CMA Musician of the Year Jenee Fleenor on vocals and fiddle, banjo player Matt Menefee, and mandolin player Seth Taylor.

Music for a Cause
DBG’s founder and CEO, Khali Sweeney, expressed his excitement about the concert and the mission behind it: “Our goal has always been to build lasting relationships and unite people in support of our youth. The Wood Box Heroes embody this spirit through their music, and we are proud to welcome them to the DBG family.”

Tickets for the concert are priced at $75 and can be purchased online at dbgdetroit.org/woodbox. The event will take place on October 25, 2024, at 7 p.m. at DBG Detroit.

Join the DBG community for an evening of inspiring music and help make a lasting difference in the lives of Detroit’s youth.