George Claussen – President of Friends with Benefits
Discusses the Major Rager & Giving Back
Epic concerts and festivals don’t just happen. There are so many people behind the scenes that work tirelessly to provide us with quality live music. Today we highlight, the Friends With Benefits Fund, started by George Claussen. George and Hank Wharton work tirelessly to put together the Major Rager feat Gov’t Mule, Lettuce, The Revivalists and an after party with the Omega Moos feat. members of Umphrey’s McGee & the New Deal.
We spoke with George recently about his fund benefitting Turn Back the Block.
You’ve worked with a variety of acts from The Whigs to Chris Robinson Brotherhood to Moon Taxi. Which events have you felt you picked the best band for the given scenario and why?
Yes, I’ve been very fortunate to work with some really great bands. We like to do pairings differently than your average show. Umphrey’s with Moon Taxi at last year’s Major Rager was definitely one of my favorites!
At what point did you decide that Friends with Benefits Fund could be something that can have a significant impact on the community? Was there a notable event that gave you more confidence to push forward?
One of the reasons we started Friends With Benefits Fund was to do just that, to make a difference in the community by getting a younger generation involved with philanthropy all while having a great time. Birdies & Bogeys Benefit was the precursor to The Major Rager four years ago. It’s success drove us to do more and more events.
Could you explain how the Omega Moos reunion came to fruition for this particular event? Could you tell fans a bit more about what to expect especially for those fans of New Deal & Umphreys who may not have seen Omega Moos before?
The Umphrey’s guys are big golf fans, and they wanted to come back this year to The Masters and be a part of The Major Rager. A radius clause with a festival stopped us from booking Umphrey’s again this year. Now we’ll have Stasik, Myers, Bayliss and Jamie Shields of The New Deal instead at Sky City for the late night. I’d seen The Omega Moos two years ago at a Panic/ Umphrey’s Afterparty at The Charleston Pour House, and they’re amazing… Jammed out 80’s tunes is what you should expect!
2014 was a great year for live music. For you personally what were your favorite concerts you saw and why?
Christmas Jam in Asheville immediately comes to mind. It was really laid back, and the lineup was awesome and unique. Of course got to see Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule, also Billy (Kreutzmann) & The Kids cover “Chalkdust Torture” by Phish, Jason Isbell, Hardworking Americans, The Revivalists, Love Canon… It was a night to remember, and one that raised nearly $500,000 for Habitat For Humanity.
As someone who has attended concerts all over the country which venues do you enjoy the most and why?
I grew up in Augusta, and have a deep admiration of course for The Georgia Theatre. I’m really pumped to see My Morning Jacket there in May. I also love the Tabernacle so much that I did a 5 night New Years run there with Umphrey’s, and learned that Stasik sucks at ping pong.
Could you tell us more about Turn Back The Block, the charity you’re supporting through the Major Rager this year?
Turn Back The Block is a charity that helps revitalize the historic Harrisburg Community in Augusta. It’s much like Habitat for Humanity. We like to spread the love amongst as many charities as possible, and we’re honored to support Turn Back the Block’s mission.
Was Warren Haynes an obvious choice due to his past charitable activities?
His commitment to charity is certainly inspiring. He was an obvious choice because he’s THE MAN! We’re beyond excited to have a legend like Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule headline our event.