Blue Star Connection program has offered the gift of music to more than 1,200 people

By Melissa Voss

The power of music rides high in the Rocky Mountains this summer. For many, music is what helps keep us thriving. But for the Grand County Blues Society and Blue Star Connection, music is what keeps the cure alive.

As a program under the Grand County Blues Society for almost two decades, Blue Star Connection has connected more than 1,200 children and adults around the country with musical instruments. These Blue Stars come from all walks of life, having gone through all the trials and tribulations life has thrown at them. Blue Star Connections believes that music can provide solace and healing to anyone in need. And it all started years ago with one boy and a retreat in Winter Park.

Before the formation of Blue Star Connection, the Grand County Blues Society collaborated with fellow Winter Park non-profit Shining Stars for a concert during a retreat for hospitalized patients and their families. A boy named Collin walked up to future Blue Star Connection founder John Catt and said he would love to have a blue electric guitar.

Blues From The Top Music Festival
JJ Grey & Mofro , Sonny Landreth, Little Feat, The Record Company, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and many more
June 27-29
Winter Park

At the time, Collin had been going through cancer treatments. About a week after his interaction with Collin, Catt was approached by someone who was looking to get rid of a used blue electric guitar. Beyond coincidence, Catt knew that fate was on his side and after some fine tuning and an amp purchase, Catt was able to hand Collin a blue electric guitar.

“Collin’s doctor communicated to Catt that there was so much improvement to his psychological well being. He was going through treatments more peacefully, and he used that electric guitar as an outlet when he didn’t want to think of all the bigger things,” shared Art Ferrari, treasurer of Grand County Blues Society and point person for Blue Star Connection.

Catt approached the Blues Society board with Collin’s story and pitched the idea of helping people by providing musical instruments. When the program was fully formed, the name Blue Star Connection held a deep meaning for the Grand County Blues Society; each word was key – Blue for the Grand County Blues Society, Star for their early beginnings with the Shining Stars and the Stars they have supported, and Connection for the connection and collaboration created through the program.

Blue Star Connection provides musical instruments through numerous channels to maximize outreach in the community — direct connections, hospital connections and musical therapy connections.

Many Blue Star beneficiaries find their way with Blue Star Connection through their treatment at hospitals. For many individuals, hospital treatments of any kind can be mentally, emotionally and physically taxing. Catt believed that the power of music can provide its own healing quality, describing music as “the cure for the cure.” By providing instruments to hospitals and musical therapy programs, Blue Star Connection opens the doors for new Blue Stars to truly shine.

“We have helped support several music programs throughout the Front Range. From hospital musical therapy to children’s centers. We try our best to provide as much outreach as possible. Thanks to the internet and word of mouth, we have been able to support in several areas,” Ferrari says.

Anyone can reach out to Blue Star Connection and donate instruments. Additionally, Blue Star Connection assists by building the foundation of music education through solo lessons or musical therapy lessons.

“We try to make it as streamlined as possible. Many families already have to fill out tons of paperwork in hospitals and offices,” Ferrari says.

The Grand County Blues Society hosts its 23rd annual Blues From The Top Festival in Winter Park, June 27-29. Blues From The Top also includes a silent auction, in which profits are donated to the Blue Star Connection fund. Alongside cash donations, any tips made at the bars during the festival directly contribute to the Blue Star Connection fund.

Can’t make it to the festival? Visit the Grand County Blues Society website for more information on the Blue Star Connection program and how to donate.