WORCESTER—For one night, the Turn It Down All-Stars channel the power of rock’s greatest anthems to battle one of society’s most persistent challenges—homelessness. As with these shows that preceded it, this dedicated group of local musicians digs deep into a classic albums that once shook the world, hoping to make their own impact by raising funds for those in need in Worcester.
The Turn It Down All-Stars, a Worcester-based group of musicians on a mission to give back to the community, return to the Brickbox Theater at JMAC on Saturday, Nov. 16, to perform their annual benefit concert.
This year, they’re paying homage to Led Zeppelin’s iconic “Led Zeppelin IV” album, with all proceeds directed to the In the Hour of Need (IHN) Family Shelter on June Street in Worcester.
This charitable project, the brainchild of Worcester musician Jim Walsh, began as a way to “keep motivations pure and do something good for the world.” Each year, the Turn It Down All-Stars gather local artists to perform a tribute concert to classic rock albums—typically ones that might have once had parents knocking on bedroom doors, demanding to “turn that down.”
“We want to support causes that address homelessness in our community,” Ellen Walsh, Jim’s wife and one of the key organizers, told the Worcester Guardian. “We started in 2022 with a concert to benefit Hotel Grace, and last year, we raised funds for an emergency shelter at Blessed Sacrament’s rec center. This year, we’re honored to partner with IHN Worcester to support their homeless family shelter.”
The Turn It Down All-Stars follow a distinctive approach: each concert focuses on one legendary rock album. Their first show, in 2022, featured Bruce Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” with Worcester artist Giuliano as the featured performer and The Big-League Collective as the opener. Last year, they celebrated U2’s “The Joshua Tree,” with Big-League Collective stepping up as the main act, while Lydia Fortune, Phil Nigro, and Bill Fisher, also known as Lydia, Phil & Bill, took the opening slot.
This year, the concert features Fatima Elmi-Dwinells of Holden, a talented singer and stage actor, along with band newcomers guitarist Steve Egolf and mandolin player Bruce Rothney, who has been with the project since its inception. Sean Ryder also joins this year’s lineup, alongside returning band members Reed Brewer on bass and drummer Jim Walsh.
These core musicians, also known as The Rock Blockerz, form a unique cover band that promises to bring Zeppelin’s gritty, energetic sound to life.
There are a number of Zeppelin shows in the area right now,” Jim told the Guardian. “They are about the power of Zep while we wanted to show the acoustic folksy side, which was an essential component of their sound.”
The band is playing “Zeppelin IV” from start to finish, in order, but there will be a “few surprises at the end.”
Betty Machete and the Jumping Fleas, a group Ellen Walsh says they were thrilled to recruit after seeing them perform at a fundraiser earlier this year, open up the show.
A social hour with appetizers begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by doors opening at 6:30 p.m., and the concert starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50, with all proceeds benefiting IHN Worcester’s family shelter.
The Walshes hope that this year’s show will provide not only a memorable night of music but also a significant contribution to support Worcester’s most vulnerable residents. “We’re passionate about using music to create change,” says Ellen. “Every ticket sold is a step closer to providing families with the shelter and resources they need.”
For tickets and more information, visit ihnworcester.org.
Editor Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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