By Mark Ambrogi
Rachael Mellor, who has been singing since she was 6 years old, has found a way to combine her two passions.
Two years ago, her son Logan, who will be a third grader this fall, was diagnosed with high functioning autism.
“She was devastated, but yet totally embraced it,” said Robin Reeder, her aunt who lives near Carmel on the north side of Indianapolis. “So she did a fundraiser concert for Autism Speaks in Pennsylvania last year and it was a great success so she did it again this year.”
Reeder made arrangements through Autism Speaks Indiana to arrange an Indianapolis concert fundraiser for their organization featuring Mellor, who lives in the Pittsburgh area.
The Songs for a Cause concert will feature Mellor and Nathaniel Licht, also from the Pittsburgh area. The performance is set for 8 p.m. on Aug. 14 at Indiana Landmarks Center’s Cook Theater, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis.
“I’ve been wanting to get Rachael out here for a concert for a long time to get her some exposure,” Reeder said. “She’s headlined at the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh and just been in Nashville. She recorded and wrote about Logan’s autism so that will be a song she will be singing when she’s here in concert.
Licht, who sings and plays the piano, has performed with Mellor in many shows as well as being members of the bands, Dreamscape and Premier, in the Pittsburgh area. They will perform music from Whitney Houston, Elton John, Christina Aguilera, among others.
“She is pretty much a jack of all trades. She’ll do pop, she’ll do country and she does ballads and some original songs,” Reeder said.
Cecily Terhune, a 2011 Carmel High School graduate who plays the saxophone, and musical partner Brian Bosley will perform an opening jazz set with pianist Daniel Yount.
The cost is $20 (cash only) at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be provided by Lockerbie Pub Catering.
