Mike Gomoll is retired after 25 years with IBM, but he’s hardly taking it easy as he prepares for a Jan. 6 benefit concert to raise money for the nonprofit Joey’s Song. The concert has sold out every year since 2014 as global, award-winning artists volunteer their time and talent in the fight against epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes seizures.
Money raised will support organizations such as the Epilepsy Foundation, Cure Epilepsy, and Wisconsin Badger Camp for people with developmental disabilities. As Gomoll explains, the history around epilepsy treatment has been more about reducing the side effects of drug therapies rather than stopping seizures, but the hope for more advanced treatment is never far from his mind.
That’s because the event honors Mike’s son Joey Gomoll, who passed away just before his fifth birthday due to a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome. This condition causes persistent seizures which are never controlled through medication, leading to severe learning disabilities. It robbed Joey of the ability to speak, but he was happiest when he was playing music, humming along to songs, and singing in his own way, so the benefit’s emphasis on music is perfectly appropriate.
What’s somewhat remarkable about the benefit is the lineup of musicians that Gomoll has recruited, and while the story of how the Madison native did this is rather involved, suffice to say it’s partially attributable to something business people do every day — networking. It’s networking made possible by his past affiliation with an old music venue called Headliners on University Avenue. There, he got to know future Grammy winner Butch Vig, who since has introduced him to a few prominent artists.
People in the business community have helped Joey’s Song through corporate donations, but more can be done for an organization that puts on a good show. Among the music luminaries who will be in Madison is guitarist Brian Ray, who for the past 20 years has been performing Beatles’ classics on stage with Paul McCartney. Also scheduled for this annual benefit are members of the Bangles, Cheap Trick, Soul Asylum, and more, so this is no ragtag collection of musicians. Since comedy hasn’t been completely canceled, Wisconsin’s own Charlie Berens will make a special appearance to emcee.
All will gather at The Sylvee theater, and hopefully members of the business community will be there to add a few notes to the nearly $1 million raised so far.
