Kern Brantley and Eric Rain Man Gaston at Anthony Tolson’s tribute concert
Anthony Tolson was a phenomenal musician who played bass for the likes of Jeezy, Neyo, Eric Roberson and gospel recording artist J. Moss. His life was tragically taken on Christmas eve as he was carjacked and killed on Detroit’s eastside.
The Detroit music community came together to honor Tolson with a music tribute concert and all the notables showed up and showed out.
“It was like a Detroit-based who’s who, all star-studded, all-night jam session. All the greats were in the house,” said Kern Brantley, famous bass guitarist who played for Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Diddy and the late Aaliyah. “There were too many talented people in one place to mention them all. The place was packed! All night long people came and went to show their love and support. And all the major musicians got their chance to play while we collected donations for the Tolson family.”
Sunday night’s tribute itself brought in over $7,000 and the GoFundMe site is already up to over $7,300 as well, bringing the donated total to over $14,000.
Celebrity musicians n attendance included, Kern Brantley, who played bass for Lady Gaga and Beyoncé; Dwight Adams, trumpeter for Stevie Wonder’ famous bassist Ralphe Armstrong; Eric “Rain Man” Gaston, drummer for Charlie Wilson; DoRohn Gough, producer for Ne-Yo; J. Drew Sheard, Karen Clark Sheard’s son; Melody Armstrong Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s daughter; Tasha Page-Lockhart (BET’s season six “Sunday Best” winner and gospel artist); and DJ Karriem Riggins, widely known for appearing with Diana Krall.
Ne-Yo, Jeezy and Eric Roberson also voiced their support from afar. Jeezy tweeted his condolences by saying that “Detroit lost a real one.” Eric Roberson, two-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer, also donated $500 toward Tolson’s GoFundMe account, the highest donation to date (see pic below).
A second tribute concert is scheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the world’s oldest jazz club, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit.
Photo Credit: Eric Rain Man Gaston
Rolling out got the chance to attend the tribute and witness history in the making. Check out some of the photos from the tribute in the gallery below. Let us know what you think about the tribute and the Detroit community rallying together in Tolson’s honor.
Donations are still being accepted, and if you would like to contribute to the Tolson family, please find the GoFundMe account information here –> Anthony Tolson GoFundMe Info.
