On Monday, Oct. 16, A Very Special Blue Monday occurred at Antone’s in Austin, Texas. The night was a charitable benefit supporting Sarah Brown and her journey toward a life-saving liver transplant from a living donor. An all-star lineup, including a special surprise guest, Bonnie Raitt, who joined already assembled guest artists for the Lone Star State event. 

Apart from Raitt, the lineup boasted appearances by other musicians, such as Jimmie Vaughan, Larry Fulcher, Johnny Nicholas & The Hidden Charms, Rosie Flores, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Eve Monsees, Derek O’Brien, Fran Christina, Nick Connolly, Jason Corbiere, Rodney Craig and the Texas Horns, all of which turned up for the cause. 

Notably, Raitt has known Brown for almost 50 years and offered to lend her support to get the word out about living donors and how folks can all make a difference in the life of a person who needs a liver transplant–the core message of the night. 

Brown is known for her bass skills, appearing on recordings and live gigs with Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Otis Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Earl King, James Cotton, Dr. John, Junior Walker, and many more. She has been a house band member at Antone’s for 40 years, cultivating a following with her skillful instrumentation. 

The beneficiary was diagnosed with PSC, a progressive, non-alcohol-related disease that destroys the liver. Although insurance covers all the medical expenses of her donor, the money raised from the evening will go toward Brown’s pre- and post-transplant expenses, such as lodging and transportation both for the donor and herself. Moreover, 20% of the proceeds will benefit the University Health Transplant Institute.   

If you want to learn more about living liver donation, visit this link.

To become a living liver donor, complete the health history questionnaire at www.utclivingdonor.com.