Usually it's the other way around: The adults teach the kids.
But count Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland among the adults who got an education about the six years of ethnic warfare in Darfur from seniors at Atlanta's Galloway School.
As a "thank you" of sorts, Roland and his Atlanta band members are lending the strength of their 16-year-old catalog and seven No. 1 pop-rock hits to teen co-chairs Megan Maziar and Katherine McKerrow's third benefit concert, this Friday at the Tabernacle.
Maziar says that for the benefit's previous two years, "there was no headliner. We had high school bands. ... Lucky for us, Katherine and her family ran into Ed Roland at an event. And he was interested."
Days before the Save Darfur Coalition show, Roland explained why:
Q: You and Collective Soul have a long history of charity work — which must mean your phone rings a lot. What made you say yes to this call?
A: When I sat down with these two young ladies from Galloway, they were just so impressive. Their energy was amazing to me. And so encouraging. You know, since last year's election it's been remarkable to watch young kids make a difference. They can't vote yet. The economic news is bearing down on them — everybody. And yet in spite of all of that they're thinking, 'We can still make a difference. Get in there and fix everything all you adults screwed up.' And these two are starting with the Darfur crisis. Helped educate me. And now I'm like, 'Wow! I need my son to know about this. Adults to know about this. Everybody.'
Q: How familiar were you with the Darfur situation before meeting these students?
A: In all honesty, not very. You know, you see [actor] George Clooney talking about it. I had heard about the rebellions a little — the janjaweed (the Arab militia, accused of widespread atrocities against ethnic African tribes, that in 2003 took up arms against what it felt was a discriminatory government). But not really what had all gone on. Now I'm a little more educated, and hopefully Friday night I will learn more.
Q: Any chance of you previewing some of the material you all are working on for the new album?
A: There's always a chance ... We're halfway through with it. Moving faster than we ever have. It's more organized. We've even written a song as a band for the first time ever. (Usually just Roland writes). Everybody is in a great place in their lives. And the due date — if I can put it that way — is August 4.
IN CONCERT
Save Darfur Coalition benefit show featuring Collective Soul. 8 p.m. Friday at the Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. Tickets are $35 in advance, $35 day of show at www.livenation.com and savedarfurbenefit.org.
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