tom willner

Turning Thirty, The Musical by Tom Willner
A Benefit Show - American Cancer Society
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 7 PM
The Druid Hills United Methodist Church
1200 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306
Purchase tickets in advance for $10
($15 at the door)

Mark your calendars for an American Cancer Society benefit show you will not want to miss – “Turning Thirty” the musical I wrote about my experience with cancer.

As many of you know, my life has been changed by cancer. Back in 1998, I lost my father to prostate cancer. Less than a year later, right after my 30th birthday, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. My wife and I had been struggling with the decision to start a family when suddenly the debate took on a new urgency.

After two operations we thought our ordeal was over, but six months later, the cancer returned. I endured another major operation and many rounds of chemotherapy. Aggressively trying to beat the disease, we also struggled to bring a new life into the world.

During this ordeal, I composed seventeen songs about my experience. Now, for the first time, I will share my story through music at the live debut performance of what I hope you will find to be an unforgettable show, “Turning Thirty.” I will be joined by a group of talented musicians and singers all donating their time and talent for the event.

I have also decided that all proceeds from the show will go to a great organization, the American Cancer Society. I’ve been involved with the Society for many years now: I have spoken and performed at numerous Relay for Life events across the country; I performed at both Celebration on the Hill events; and I wrote and recorded two original songs for American Cancer Society videos.

In addition to the information here, you can visit my Turning Thirty website at http://www.turningthirty.org/. At both of my sites you can hear the original recordings I did while going through my experience. At http://www.turningthirty.org/ you can read more about my story and the musical.

In addition to tickets, I’m also accepting donations to help make this show a reality. In case you are from out of town and cannot come to the show, you can also make a donation to the show to help increase the proceeds that will go directly to the fight against cancer:



I’m very excited about this show – this is one of the largest music endeavors I have ever undertaken. I hope to see you there! Please invite your friends – Eventbrite makes it easy to do:

Invite friends to the show

Labels: cancer

This month I’m releasing a free MP3 download of the song Rain performed live with the band Urban Blue at Eddie’s Attic. This is a preview of a new live CD I’m releasing called “Live At Eddie’s” by Tom Willner and Urban Blue. (Actually, it’s already available at CDBaby if you’d like an “advance” copy! All the songs on the CD were recorded from two shows at Eddie’s Attic. I haven’t posted all the songs here on my site yet, but plan to do so after my Turning Thirty show for the live CD’s official release.

I’d like to give a special thanks to the multi-talented Lee Hansen, who not only plays saxophone and sings on this recording, but came up with most of the arrangement ideas that makes this live version special. I hope you enjoy it!

Download "Rain (Live)"
Pick up an advanced copy of "Live at Eddie's" from CDBaby

I posted my second ring tone, now available for free on my super awesome ringtone page. It's from the chorus of "All Fruits Ripe," so you too can be transformed to Jamaica, sipping a fruity drink on the beach, everytime your phone rings.

I'll continue to post more, but if there's any particular song of mine you'd like me to put out there, please do post a comment and let me know. I'll make it happen as soon as I can.

By the way, the Habitat for Humanity show went great. Daniel Johnson from Music for Charities told me he's planning to post some video of it out on YouTube. Of course I will let you know as soon as I know.

The cool photo above is a creative commons courtesy of Darrenxyz on flickr.