For 11 years, Ketch'em Alive has been a summer evening ritual for local residents and valley visitors, young and old. Hundreds have gathered in Ketchum's Forest Service Park to hear free live music from bands traveling across the country and from local musicians. But recession-caused cuts from Ketch'em Alive sponsors put this year's summer concert series in jeopardy. As of April 2, event organizers were short $10,000.
"We know the community loves Ketch'em Alive and will not let it die," said Carol Waller, Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitor's Bureau executive director. "With enough pledged money, we will make it."
Ketch'em Alive co-organizers Waller and Will Caldwell created the Ketch'em Alive Fan Club to find support for the free summer concerts. A campaign was launched to invite at least 100 people to become members of the club with a $100 cash donation to raise the $10,000 needed to continue the event. Club members will receive recognition at Ketch'em Alive for their tax-deductible contributions.
Waller said the event costs $20,000 for nine shows, which includes Caldwell's time, advertising, insurance, garbage collection and sound equipment.
"Any donation to Ketch'em Alive will be appreciated," she said.
The Ketch'em Alive Fan Club has generated several donations and continues to gather more. However, on April 24 the concert series was hit with the loss of its primary sponsor, First Bank of Idaho.
"My first thought was Ketch'em Alive was all over and dead," Caldwell said. "Then I thought, if you want something you must ask for it."
Caldwell called US Bank's national media office. On May 1, he received a reassuring "yes" to his request for sponsorship.
"The woman I spoke to at US Bank made calls to local people in Ketchum, and the bank realized they needed to endear itself to the community," Caldwell said. "We were all in shock. US Bank is on board, and the show will go on."
Caldwell also secured other first-time sponsors, including the Sawtooth Club and the Roosevelt Grille. He contacted the restaurants' owner, Tom Nickel, for sponsorship because Caldwell said that at the end of each Ketch'em Alive event, the party always moves to the Roosevelt deck.
"No matter who sponsors the event, I can say their name, which is pretty good advertising to 600 to 800 people," Caldwell said.
"We have fan club money coming in, but I think it was a tall order to expect to snag $10,000 right away. It is an ongoing effort and the fan club will continue to grow."
Last year Ketch'em Alive placed a donation jar on the stage at the last three shows, which raised $2,000, and helped with this year's needs. The jar will be out for the entire series this year so Ketch'em Alive can have starting funds available for the following year.
"We still need money, and it is ongoing thing now," Caldwell said. "We are bare bones and operate on a shoe string, but we have our bases covered from cutting expenses. We are not doing paid advertising and we will not be paying our openers."
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
The Matsiko Children’s Choir from Uganda will return to sing and play at Ketch’em Alive as the headliner on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
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