Classic Replay Music Saved Me with Adam Ezra

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Classic Replay Music Saved Me with Adam Ezra" Hosted by Lynne Hoffman on the Music Save Me Podcast Release Date: June 22, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Classic Replay Music Saved Me," Lynne Hoffman welcomes Adam Ezra, an underground Americana singer-songwriter and leader of the Adam Ezra Group. The episode delves into Adam's musical journey, his dedication to community service through his nonprofit organization Rally Sound, and the profound impact music has had on his life and those around him.

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Adam Ezra’s Musical Journey

Early Struggles and Determination

Adam opens up about the challenges he faced when starting his music career in Boston. Without financial backing, connections, or resources, he struggled to find venues willing to hire him.

"[...] I ended up going to kind of the least successful, nastiest, darkest, dankest bars that I could find in Boston. I would ask the owners if I could set up in the corner. For many years, we were not getting hired to play concerts. We were hired to keep people drinking until closing time."
— Adam Ezra [03:22]

Despite these setbacks, Adam persisted, playing long hours in subpar environments. His dedication gradually paid off as audiences began to appreciate the music, leading to a slow but steady growth of his music community.

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Influence of Pete Seeger

A pivotal moment in Adam's career was his encounter with Pete Seeger, a folk music legend who greatly influenced him.

"Pete Seeger... he took my hand and the first thing he said is... 'Look around. This is a folk conference and you're one of the few people that are here that are below the age of 60. This music is suffering right now. Use your voice in your lifetime to keep this music and this message alive.'"
— Adam Ezra [06:41]

This interaction served as a catalyst, reinforcing Adam's commitment to using music as a tool for positive change and ensuring the longevity of the folk music tradition.

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Creation and Vision of Rally Sound

Adam's passion for using music to benefit the community led to the founding of his nonprofit organization, Rally Sound.

Origins and Mission

Rally Sound was born out of Adam's experiences playing at venues like the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter in Boston. Recognizing the power of music to bring people together and inspire action, he sought to create a platform that empowers communities through musical events.

"Rally Sound's mission is to empower community through music. [...] It's complicated to set up an event that has music to it... and we wanted to empower people to be able to do those things."
— Adam Ezra [09:22]

Community Impact and The Ramble Festival

One of Rally Sound's most significant initiatives is The Ramble Festival, an inclusive event that operates without entry fees, relying instead on donations. The festival is entirely volunteer-run and serves as a major fundraiser for veteran homelessness.

"This year we had 200 volunteers working all summer to put this festival together. [...] We just found out our results from this year's Ramble... presenting a check to the New England Center and Home for Veterans for $151,000."
— Adam Ezra [12:11]

This achievement underscores the effectiveness of Rally Sound in mobilizing community resources and raising substantial funds for a worthy cause.

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The Healing Power of Music

Personal Reflections on Music’s Impact

Adam shares his belief in music’s ability to heal and connect people on a deep emotional level. He emphasizes that while words can be limiting, music transcends verbal communication, allowing for the expression of complex emotions.

"Music adds a whole other dimension. Sound vibrates a person and can speak to emotions that oftentimes I don't let myself feel on a day to day basis."
— Adam Ezra [17:02]

Connection with Fans

Highlighting the reciprocal relationship between performer and audience, Adam describes the uplifting experience of witnessing fans inspired by his music to take meaningful actions in their own lives.

"The feeling of connection at our shows these days is just one of the most inspiring things I get to experience."
— Adam Ezra [14:16]

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Community and Activism Through Music

Adam elaborates on how Rally Sound integrates community activism with musical events, fostering a culture of giving and mutual support.

"Rally Sound puts on our own festival, which we call the Ramble. [...] Anyone can come to the Ramble. They can come for free. They can donate what they can. All of the musicians that come to the Ramble donate their time and their talent. It is run entirely by an army of volunteers."
— Adam Ezra [12:09]

This model not only makes music accessible but also strengthens community bonds and encourages collective efforts toward social causes.

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Final Reflections and Gratitude

As the episode concludes, Lynne Hoffman expresses admiration for Adam's inspiring work and the positive ripple effects his dedication has on both the music scene and the community at large.

"You're clearly inspiring a lot of people... you're able to find a way to get volunteers to do all of this incredible work without sort of the traditional trappings of a music career."
— Lynne Hoffman [18:12]

Adam reciprocates the appreciation, acknowledging the importance of sharing stories that highlight music's transformative power.

"I'm glad you're out there doing it."
— Adam Ezra [19:13]

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Conclusion

This episode of the Music Save Me Podcast offers a profound look into Adam Ezra's journey as an artist committed to using music as a force for good. From overcoming early career obstacles to establishing Rally Sound and raising significant funds for veteran homelessness, Adam exemplifies how passion combined with perseverance can lead to impactful community change. His reflections on the healing and unifying power of music provide listeners with both inspiration and a deeper understanding of the role art plays in societal well-being.

Transcript

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Pete Seeger, one of my heroes. I had a chance to meet him. We were passing by, Someone introduced me. He shook my hand. He did not spare a second for small talk or pleasantries. He took my hand and the first thing he said is he said look around. This is a folk conference and you're one of the few people that are here that are below the age of 60. This music is suffering right now. Use your voice in your lifetime to keep this music and this message alive.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I'm Lynne Hoffman and welcome to the Music Save Me Podcast, the show where we explore the power of music to heal, to help others and to create good. Now if you love this podcast, please share it with your friends and family and please follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode and thank you in advance. Today we have an amazing artist who lives and breathes the qualities that we love here on the Music Save Me podcast. Adam Ezra is an underground Americana songwriter who leads Adam Ezra Group and he takes this is the coolest thing a month out of each year to visit the living room of his fans around the country, literally. His band and nonprofit organization, Rally Sound, hosts a free festival every summer. Raised almost $150,000 for homeless vets just last year. Adam Ezra, welcome to Music Saved me.

[Adam Ezra]

Thanks so much. Lynn, thank you so much for wanting.

[Lynne Hoffman]

To chat with so excited first. I don't even know where to start, so let's start here. When you started your career a few decades ago, can you tell us about the journey when you started and how you discovered then how important music is in creating good in the world?

[Adam Ezra]

No, I would be. I would be happy to. I have by no means had a fairy tale journey. When I started music, I was in. I was in Boston and just. I was writing songs all the time, trying to figure out how to perform them in front of people, wanting to be a part of a band, wanting to be a part of something bigger than myself. And I came up against the challenge that so many starting artists have that don't have a leg up in the music world, right? That don't have money or connections or resources. I needed to get hired to play in the good music clubs in order to get fans, but the good music clubs weren't gonna hire me until I had fans, right? It's like this catch 22 that all starting artists or many starting artists, most starting artists face. And I ended up going to kind of the least successful, nastiest, darkest, dankest bars that I could find in Boston. I would ask the owners if I could set up in the corner. For many years, we were not getting hired to play concerts. We were hired to keep people drinking until closing time. We played five hours a night, every night that we could in any bar that was willing to hire us anywhere in the Northeast. And one by one, people in those bars kind of turned away from the Sox game playing over the bar and decided to pay attention to the music and decided that they liked it, decided that they wanted to listen and share it with their friends and people that they cared about. And that's how our music community has grown very, very slowly over the years. Now we get to play in such cool, inspiring venues and festivals and we get to tour around the country. It is. And I think because it took so long and because it was not a fairy tale, it is something that I am always amazed by and appreciate so deeply.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Have you personally discovered the healing forces of music in your life during this time?

[Adam Ezra]

Oh, man. Man. I think that music and art, any kind of expression of art in General. Right. I find it ironic and inspiring all the time that. That as an art, when an artist really digs deep, digs out something unique in them, it speaks to a human experience that is universal. And when great art is happening, it connects us. It reminds us that there's more about us that is the same than is different. And that I have always felt so strongly through music. And it's a huge reason that I write songs and a huge reason that I'm out there performing music.

[Lynne Hoffman]

And I said something earlier about you being an underground Americana singer, songwriter.

[Adam Ezra]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It's amazing, too, the power of that underground movement. It is coupled with your hard work, many years of hard work. I wonder who are some of the musicians that have lifted you up during perhaps challenging times in your life. You're pretty open about those challenges.

[Adam Ezra]

Yeah. I mean, there have been so many interactions and moments and songs that have helped inspire me along the way. But I will tell you, I'll give you. Because there are too many stories or examples racing through my head. I'll give you one that happened when I was in my 20s. I was trying out, banging my head against the wall, trying to figure out how to play music. And during that time, I ended up at a. At a music conference, very grassroots, in a camp somewhere in the Northeast, I can't even remember. And it was mostly folk musician and. And Pete Seeger, one of my heroes, not only for his songwriting, not only because I grew up listening to his music, but also because of his mission through music to shape the world around him and inspire others. I had a chance to meet him that. That weekend. It was. We were passing by, someone introduced me to. And he shook my hand. He did not spare a second for small talk or pleasantries. He took my hand, and the first thing he said is. He said, look around. Right? This is a folk conference, and you're one of the few people that are here that are below the age of 60. This music is suffering right now. And use your voice in your lifetime to keep this music and this message alive. You know, the power of hearing those words spoken from a hero of mine in just the briefest of interactions. I think back about those words in that moment often in my life.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I bet that was. Would you say that was a crossroads for you, where you just sort of got put on that right path?

[Adam Ezra]

Yeah, it was certainly one of. It was certainly one of many crossroads, but it was more spark that continued to fan the flame of. Of what I was feeling inside through the music that I was letting you know.

[Lynne Hoffman]

You Were you were on the right path?

[Adam Ezra]

Sure.

[Lynne Hoffman]

That's pretty exciting. I mean, I can't even imagine I've had those moments in my life and you know, it's hard to pinpoint one, but that's. That's a pretty big one.

[Adam Ezra]

That was a good one for me.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Something else that's really big is Rally Sound, which I understand it was. It was created based on the premise of just helping others. Can you explain this is your non profit organization? What Rally Sound is, what it does, how it came about?

[Adam Ezra]

Yeah, I mean it came about way back in the day when I was playing the bars on Sundays. As a Boston gal, you appreciate a place called the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter in Boston. Sunday mornings I would go down and kind of play for the folks down there. When I could, people would come up to me at shows and they would say, you know, hey, I'm doing this event at this bar down the road. I'm trying to raise money for the American Stroke Association. Hey, we're doing this event in our backyard. We're trying to raise some money for handicap accessible ramp for our neighbors. Right. Like the. And. And I would always say yes because doing good feels good. But. But also because I was just excited. People wanted me to play music. Right. But I would find, I. I would find early on that when a concert was about more than just a concert, the music sounded better, the experience connected a little bit deeper and those shows inspired me. Of course, the more I ended up doing, the more people would ask me. It became part of my mission as an artist. Eventually, as we began to grow a little bit, I put together a board and started this nonprofit organization called Rally Sound. And Rally Sound's mission is to empower community through music. Most of what Rally Sound does is help people that are trying to put together events oftentimes and they want music but they don't really know how to do that. Right. It's as you can appreciate. Right. It's a. It's complicated thing to set up an event that has music to it. You have to think about sound, you have to think about the band and how you're going to get them in and how the day is going to work and how you're going to figure everything. And anyways it. It can be comp. And we wanted to empower people to be able to do those things. Over the years, Rally Sound has taken on a life of its own. The community within Rally Sound has really mobilized in an incredible, incredible way. At most of our Adam Ezra group shows, very often you will see an element of Rally Sound at them now. There will be folks, fans in the area. You know, 90% of the time will, Will. Will reach out and they will. They will do some kind of a awareness campaign or a fundraiser or they'll have people bring non perishable items for local food pantry. But those things are happening once a year. Rally Sound puts on our own festival, which you also mentioned in your introduction, called the Ramble. It's our one. It's our one big event that.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It's awesome. It's awesome.

[Adam Ezra]

It is awesome. It is. And for those of you listening, it is a festival unlike any festival I have ever experienced. 1. Anyone can come to the Ramble. They can come for free. They can donate what they can. All of the musicians that come to the Ramble donate their time and their talent. It is run entirely by an army of volunteers. Just regular folks like you and me coming together. Not one of us actually knows how to run a festival, but somehow, I mean, this year we had 200 volunteers working all summer to put this festival together. It was unbelievable. And it's the most inspiring day we have. The Rainbow has a mission which is to put an end to veteran homelessness in the Northeast. And we actually. This is an exciting week to be talking to you, Lynn, because we just found out our results from this year's Ramble, which happened just a couple weeks ago. And we are going to be presenting a check to the New England center and Home for veterans for $151,000, which is more than I could ever I ever imagined we'd be able to raise together.

[Lynne Hoffman]

So congratulations. That's huge.

[Adam Ezra]

It is.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It's really exciting.

[Adam Ezra]

It's a good week for me to be talking about the power community and music for sure.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Certainly. And the power of music is so strong. I'm just curious. On a little more of a personal note, I did hear some interviews with you recently that you discussed how you started during COVID talking to pers, you know, to people online and then, you know, promising you'd be back if they came back and how that just sort of grew. Yeah. When you. When you play music or when you play music and talk to people, people, which is probably all a part of your shows. How does it feel when you connect with your fans and you see them taking, you know, inspired by your music, to take action in their own lives. So what. How does that make you feel?

[Adam Ezra]

Well, that there's two things that you're. There's two things that you're. That you're kind of touched upon in that. That question. Both of which I think about a lot, right? One is the. The connection itself, making that connection. And there are, man, there are artists that are out there that are incredible, beautiful singers, incredible, beautiful players, like so beyond right. When I go to see them, I feel like I'm getting to experience that they are embodying human potential. Right? And for me as an artist, I mean, it just. It ain't my art form. It's a different art form. And that's the coolest thing about music. Within this, this big category of music, there are so many different ways to express and share art. And so for me, the musical experience is about that connection. It's about. That's what a show is for. It's about trying to connect with folks and trying to connect folks with each other. I am so, so fortunate in. Because of my. Because my journey has been so grassroots and underground, because it has been so one, one person at a time and so very personal for me and for the folks that have connected to us over time. The feeling of connection at our shows these days is just one of the most inspiring things I get to experience. Apart from being a daddy to two little girls, it is the most inspiring thing that I get to experience these days. And the fact that rally sound and community activism and empowerment is so closely knit to our mission as a band. Getting to watch that community engage and mobilize and impact each other in different ways, it's. It is just so, so rewarding for me. You know, I get. I, It's. It's like I, I got to be a little, A little, A little fire starter. I got to be a little spark that is. And, and. And when I get to play shows, I get to. I get to fan those flames a little bit more every single night. And that's often kind of how it feels to me to be a musician.

[Lynne Hoffman]

What do you think it is about music specifically? Because you said music has a. It's a big tent, all different kinds, talents, levels, messages, songs. What do you think it is specifically about music that. That heals people or helps people?

[Adam Ezra]

You know, I think the way to. I think words are limited. I think the way that we communicate through words is limited. I often struggle to find the right words to really say what's inside of me. Right. Music adds a whole other dimension. Sound vibrates a person and can speak to emotions that oftentimes I don't let myself feel on a day to day basis or I'm not even aware of on a day to day basis. Sometimes when I listen to a singer singing about something that's really, really real. Right. If they had just said those words, it wouldn't hit me as deeply as music does. And ultimately, I think when we are together and we are listening to music, if it's good music, if it's art that's made honestly, no matter what genre it is, we all get to experience that thing that is universal in all of us. And that's inspiring.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It sure is. Well, Adam Ezra from Adam Ezra Group, you are inspiring. Clearly inspiring a lot of people, not just myself and my listeners. But, but I just, I'm so happy to be the one to hear the news today about the money you've been able to raise veterans. That's so exciting. And there's, there's nothing better than doing what you love and you found a way to make a living at it. But it's through giving back. So it's like you get stuff from the people who listen, you give back and you're able to find a way to get volunteers to do all of this incredible work without sort of the traditional trappings of a music career. And I, I think that's probably, dare I say, a wish of a lot of artists who didn't follow that path. Congratulations on all of that good stuff and please come back and see us again. And, and thanks for doing what you do. And I'm even more, a little impartial because you're from my hometown.

[Adam Ezra]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Come see us again.

[Adam Ezra]

Thank you for your words and thank you for this podcast. Thanks for doing what you do. I think telling, telling stories about the way that music has the power to impact us all. I think those are important stories to be told and I'm glad you're out there doing it.

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