Two music festivals in the Chattanooga area in the next two weeks are designed to both entertain and bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention.
The first is the second annual Hunter’s Gift: A Musical Tribute honoring Hunter White, a well-known musician and waiter/bartender who committed suicide in July 2018. The event is Sunday, Oct. 13, at Songbirds South. It features local artists Milele Roots, the Communicators, Jordan Hallquist and the Outfit, Function, Paper Mache, Tiffany Taylor, Ryan Oyer and Megan Howard.
The event will benefit Shaking Ray Levi Society and The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP), a nationally recognized program that uses percussion instruments to give children with developmental, emotional or physical disabilities a hands-on way to approach live skills.
White’s death shook many in the food-service industry, as well as the local music scene. Many took to social media immediately following to express their shock and to begin talking about ways to encourage people who are struggling with mental health issues to reach out for help.
“Hunter’s death absolutely shook the community in a way that brought mental health right to the community,” said Stratton Tingle, executive director of SoundCorps, a local nonprofit that promotes the local professional music industry.