It has been nearly one year since the non-profit organization USTORM was founded by Brendan Bayliss (guitarist for Umphrey’s McGee), Barry Brown (keyboardist for Jack Straw), Kevin Kostelecky (owner of The Store) and Mike LeMaistre (Jam Productions). They shared a vision of helping to raise money for local music and arts programs and could each contribute in their own unique way. So, forming this organization only seemed natural.

Now, with their 1^st birthday around the corner, USTORM prepares to throw itself a huge party. What they mean by party is an all-star benefit concert on March 31^st at The Park West, boasting a line-up including:Brendan Bayliss
(Umphrey's McGee), Al Schnier (moe.), Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain
String Band), Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), Jennifer
Hartswick (The Trey Anastasio Band), Ron Johnson (KDTU, New Monsoon),
Josh Quinlan (Ray's Music Exchange), plus various members of Umphrey's
McGee and other special guests.

So, in order to get an idea of where this organization came from and where they are heading, I had a conversation with founding member, Barry Brown.

RL:First off, can you tell me a little bit about how USTORM was founded?

BB: Well, USTORM basically was an idea that came to be in the fall of 2005 after a fundraiser was held at The Store in Chicago to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. That night, over $2000 was raised, and that got Kevin Kostelecky, who owns The Store, to thinking that it was pretty simple to get a lot of people together, throw a party, and raise some money for worthwhile causes.

RL: How did you get involved?

BB: I guess it was on Jamcruise in 2006 that Brendan and Kevin started talking about the possibilities and when they returned, Kevin contacted me and told me their idea of raising money for music and art programs - which we all know are badly needed these days. So we looked into what it would take to become an official non-profit organization. One of the requirements was that you needed 3 people on the Board of Directors, plus someone to run the daily operations of the foundation. With Brendan and Kevin as two of the board members, and myself as "executive director," we needed one more board member. The first person to come to mind for us was our good friend Mike LeMaistre, who is a music booking agent & promoter with Jam Productions in Chicago. So we called Mike and told him, "We're starting a non-profit, and you're on the Board of Directors. Congratulations!" We didn't really give him a choice... But really, Mike was very much interested, and has been a huge help and the perfect choice to round out our little group. So that's how we started. I do want to point out, for the record, that we are not an official affiliation with Umphrey's McGee, but rather a non-profit foundation that is involved with many different bands and artists. So far, we've done shows involving members of Umphrey's, my band Jack Straw, Cornmeal, Mr. Blotto, The Disco Biscuits, and many more. Our idea is that USTORM is meant to include all fans and musicians that have an interest in spreading the joys and gifts that music and the arts have to offer.

RL: Who benefits the most from USTORM events?

BB: Well, initially, I think the people that are actually at the events themselves benefit the most. I mean, quite honestly, I've been amazed at the quality of music and the caliber of talent that has come out of these shows. The Brain Damaged Eggmen show last August was, in my personal opinion, one of the best shows of the year. I mean, for 20 bucks those in attendance got [a band comprised of part Umphrey’s McGee part Disco Biscuits that performed] a complete set of Beatles, followed by a complete set of Pink Floyd, followed by the largest group sing-a-long I've ever been involved in, with the "Hey Jude" encore. I mean, what a night!

RL: The show was sold-out, so I am sure you were able to make quite an impact!

BB: Yea, we raised over $8,000 that night alone, through proceeds from ticket sales as well as sales of show posters and t-shirts. So that's the most important thing to me: putting together great events with quality music that people will enjoy and talk about after the fact. We've been able to do that so far, and for that, I'm happy and quite proud. Also, I think that in general when people are at a USTORM event, they have a sense of pride, knowing that they are participating in an event that is raising money that's going to be put to good use. So in that sense, everybody wins.

…As far as who else benefits...we've made a number of donations to various causes. For example, with the help of Keys for Kids, we contributed towards a drum line for MatherHigh School in Chicago. We've also donated to the Off the Street Club of Chicago, which gives kids a place to go after school to participate in various programs and activities, some of which involve music and art. And, we are now looking into other possibilities as far as programs out there we can support.

RL: Have the initial goals of USTORM changed over the last year?

BB: I don't think our goals have really changed at all, because I think we're pretty on track so far. One thing that we felt was important at the beginning was to start small, and not try to do too much too fast. We don't really have a dollar amount as a goal as far as this year is concerned. Really, whatever we can raise is gravy, so it's all good!

RL: So, what’s the current focus?

BB: I think the goal for now is to just keep the thing going for years to come. The upcoming birthday show and concert is really the largest event to date, and it's as much a fundraiser for USTORM as it is a celebration for us and all our friends and supporters that have contributed towards the cause during the last year. And it's going to be one great party, for sure!

RL: Yea, the 1st Anniversary event is approaching and the line-up looks very eclectic, can you tell me how this came together?

BB: The line-up for our first birthday party is really awesome, isn't it? I'd like to say I had a lot to do with putting it together, but the fact of the matter is this is all Brendan. All I can say is that Brendan is a great guy, really fun to hang out with, and he's made a lot of friends within the music community from so many different bands. And the fact that these people have committed to traveling in from all over the country, taking time out of their time off the road and from their families, and for them to all do it without getting paid, is just a testament to Brendan and his relationships with these people. Also, the people on this line-up are some of the nicest people I've had the pleasure to meet, so it's not surprising that when Brendan asked them if they'd play, they all said "yes." It'll probably just turn into one big love-in!

RL: With all of these top-notch artists on the bill, how do you plan on showcasing everybody?

BB: The show is going to be set up in two different parts. The first set will be an acoustic set. Just what that means...you'll have to show up and find out. I can say that I know that Brendan and Jeff Austin have done some writing and performing together, and I'd expect that you will hear some of those tunes during that set. I'm sure some of the other artists will also come out and join in at various points.

The second set is going to be an electric set. Even though there's no official "drummer" listed on the bill...rest assured, there will be a drummer. Maybe even a couple different drummers… and they're good! Anyway, again, how this set develops is up to Brendan, but I'm sure you'll see a few different combinations of musicians on different instruments, probably all leading up to one, long "super jam."

RL: Will the material that is played be originals or cover songs?

BB:I would expect a combination of covers and some original, improvisational numbers. Not to sound cocky, but with this group of artists, the music is the last thing I would be worried about - whatever they play, it's going to be great. And a word about The Park West: I think it's the perfect place for a "party." Very classy, intimate, and the sound is great.

RL: Finally, I assume USTORM is planning future events; do you have anything in the works as of now?

BB: We have a couple things we're looking into. I'd like to do another "local music showcase" again, similar to the one we did last October - maybe sometime in May. I'm sure we'll try and have another event over the summer as well, and I'm sure we'll be represented in some way again at the Summercamp Music Festival. For right now, we're just focused on our March 31st birthday party. I know we're planning on making it a fantastic night for all...so we hope you can be there!

Interview by Brandon DeJaynes

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