Clarks’ lead singer to perform online benefit show

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

COVID-19 restrictions may have shut down concert venues and live music, but they haven’t stopped Scott Blasey from performing for his fans.

Blasey, the recognizable frontman for veteran Pittsburgh rockers The Clarks, has been hosting livestream concerts from his house over the past year. He’ll perform a virtual performance at noon tomorrow at Washington City Mission as part of its Sweet Sunday virtual dessert festival and fundraiser.

Blasey will perform songs from The Clarks, as well as cover songs, and will even tell a few stories. 

This year will mark the 27th year for the event and the first time it will be conducted virtually, with sweets and auction prizes delivered to the homes of people who make donations.

Blasey said he became involved with the City Mission three years ago when he and his wife Denise and their daughters Sophia, Ava and Gracelyn would visit the facility to serve meals and perform.

“It was my idea to help them because of my association with the City Mission,” Blasey said. “They do such great work for the community.”

When the pandemic hit in the spring of last year, Blasey began a series of livestream performances from his basement as fundraisers for the City Mission as well as the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and The Center in Midland, Pa.

To date, Blasey has performed 13 solo livestream performances, and he said his early attempts were a challenge.

“It was really weird at first, because basically I was playing to my phone instead of an audience,” Blasey recalled. “I’d finish a song and there wouldn’t be applause. It was a little sterile.

“But my wife got involved, and it gave me somebody to just talk to. She would monitor the show and see what people were saying. It just took off from there.”

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