Mississippians will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear a music icon in one of his final performances and support Alzheimer's research at what's expected to be a sold-out concert next month.
CampbellCountry Music Hall of Famer Glen Campbell will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson. Proceeds will benefit The MIND Center (Memory Impairment and Neurodegenerative Dementia Research), a cutting-edge Alzheimer's disease research center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Tickets go on sale Monday, Jan. 16 on ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster locations.
The concert, presented by Trustmark, is part of Campbell's "Goodbye Tour." In June, Campbell announced that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the debilitating brain disease, and that this will be his final tour.
"We are so honored to have such a legendary performer shining a light on this dreaded disease," said Dr. Tom Mosley, director of the MIND Center. "Through his brave fight with Alzheimer's Mr. Campbell is showing people around the world that research needs to be a priority."
Proceeds from the concert will support MIND Center research. Mosley and his team are currently leading one of the largest and most comprehensive studies ever conducted of mid-life risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related forms of cognitive decline.
As part of a $26-million, National Institutes of Health study, Mosley is leading a consortium of some of the world's leading medical institutions in a study designed to look at data collected from nearly 16,000 participants over more than 20 years. This innovative study enables MIND Center scientists to look back in time - to when study participants were middle-aged - to identify factors that predict development of dementia later in life.
Former U.S. Ambassador John N. Palmer Sr., chairman of the MIND Center Advisory Board, said the event will highlight the work being done at the MIND Center.
"The MIND Center is a tremendous resource for this state," Palmer said. "For an entertainer of Mr. Campbell's caliber to perform this concert makes a powerful statement of the importance of the research being conducted by Dr. Mosley and his team."
Four of Campbell's children and his wife of 29 years, Kim, are scheduled to play back-up. Their band, Instant People, will also open for Campbell.
Campbell also released his final studio album, "Ghost On The Canvas" at the end of August. With a set of songs expressing beauty, power, heartfelt emotion and deep spirituality, the album is receiving accolades from critics and fans around the world.
When Campbell was in his 20s he began distinguishing himself as one of the recording industry's premier session musicians, backing major performers including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys.
As a guitar player himself, Mosley said he looks forward to watching Campbell, a true guitar legend, perform in one of his final live performances. Mosley is even more excited about Campbell's message of hope.
"By remaining active after his diagnosis, continuing to play his music and continuing to be an advocate for increased support for research, he is setting a tremendous example for us all," Mosley said.