OUR STORY
About our Founder...
After decades of performing at nightclubs and festivals, Rob Fried shared the stage with Meryl Streep and Paul Newman at a fundraiser to preserve Connecticut farmland - an experience that inspired his vision to play “music with purpose" to help local non-profits with their fundraising efforts. Drawing on his experience as a founder of Bridgewater Associates, combined with his life-long passion for music, he began bringing together non-profits, musicians, donors and audiences to create music-themed fundraising events that blend giving with joy and entertainment.
"When I see how people respond to live music, its a powerful thing. When people get up to dance, are smiling, and the euphoria happens, its almost like the audience becomes
another member of the band. As a bassist and vocalist, I try to feel what they are feeling and then take it higher. That is a big part of the joy of being a musician” - Rob Fried
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The Band Central Process...
Band Central initiates the process by providing a grant to the nonprofit partner from the Band Central Fund, a donor-advised fund at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Next the team supports the nonprofit to market the event, engaging the nonprofit’s existing donors and attracting new ones. Band Central Radio on WPKN 89.5FM promotes community awareness of the nonprofit's event and mission and serves as yet another vehicle for their special event fundraising. Band Central then leverages its network of 200+ musicians to produce a “concert with a cause.”