The Good Shepherd are delighted to announce that legendary singer/songwriter Robert Plant CBE has become a patron of the Wolverhampton-based charity. The rock icon has been a long-time supporter of the work of the Good Shepherd, but has now stepped up his backing to become a patron, including supporting the creation of a new trainee scheme offering two paid trainee roles within the organisation for people with lived experience of homelessness and other issues. These trainees have both been participants on the Good Shepherd's LEAP programme and these roles - embedded to support service users accessing the charity - form a key part of their recovery journey. Robert has taken a keen interest in the long-standing Wolverhampton charity for many years, and invited representatives to have a presence at his concert at The Halls last December to raise awareness of their work, providing food and support to people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability across the city. Since then, he has visited the charity to see and discover at first hand the range of services it provides, with discussions leading to today's exciting announcement around a package of support. "It was good to visit the Good Shepherd and learn more about their work," said Robert. "Providing food and a range of other support is a key part of it but something that I think is so important is the focus on rebuilding confidence, self-esteem and spirit." Good Shepherd CEO Tom Hayden says everyone at the charity is thrilled to welcome Robert as a patron. "The Good Shepherd is a small local charity, but we have a big impact in our community," he says. "Having Robert support our work in Wolverhampton and the Black Country is incredible for our organisation, and we're extremely grateful he has decided to come on board as a patron. "From the moment Robert visited and started talking to us about the Good Shepherd, we could sense the enthusiasm and passion he has for wanting to help people who have found themselves facing challenging circumstances. "He asked a lot of searching questions, which was great, because it really helped get to the heart of what we do in helping people not just find a temporary solution to issues such as homelessness and food poverty, but more sustained support where they can rediscover their strengths and pursue their dreams. "Robert's support as a patron of the Good Shepherd is actually going to deliver double the impact. "In the first instance, this new trainee scheme gives two people who have experienced homelessness the opportunity of paid employment, a recognised qualification, and a training opportunity to progress in their careers. "But in their new roles, there will be countless others that benefit from the support that the trainees will be able to offer. "We cannot thank Robert enough for becoming a patron and underpinning these trainee roles, and we look forward to keeping him updated on how our programme develops," As lead singer and lyricist with iconic rock band Led Zeppelin, Robert has been hailed as one of the greatest and most charismatic frontmen in rock music history. In more recent times he has collaborated with many different artists across many different genres, and is currently on tour with his Saving Grace band, featuring vocalist Suzi Dian, before returning to America linking up with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss to join Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan on the famed 'Outlaw Tour'. A recruitment process is taking place to fill the two roles with the successful applicants from the Good Shepherd's LEAP programme due to be announced shortly. LEAP offers volunteering and training opportunities at the Good Shepherd for people who have experienced homelessness and other issues with the overall aim of returning to employment. https://www.gsmwolverhampton.org.uk/robert-plant-becomes-good-shepherd-patron/

Jason Bonham with Brian Casey on 93.5 Max - https://soundcloud.com/brian-casey-141887816/jason-bonham-with-brian-casey-on-93-5-max?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fbrian-casey-141887816%2Fjason-bonham-with-brian-casey-on-93-5-max https://blabbermouth.net/news/jason-bonham-says-it-was-quite-emotional-performing-led-zeppelin-music-at-madison-square-garden

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening, OLG Stage, Fallsview Casino, Ontario, Canada, December 2, 2023

I'm taking out my MARYLAND MOONSHINE from a dusty shelf and popping the first show (may 25th) .. sound explosion in my basement while i'm working... but no time to listen to all 4 tonight.. has there been a preferred night among the fans out there?

R.I.P. recap this week R😎

R.I.P. Mandisa (singer / American Idol) R😎

The rain in Spain is… R😎

Cleveland Rocks

So I went singing in....

acapella while under an umbrella.......

So far, the most interesting thing about the Trump trial to me is how nobody talks about how the justice system is anything but fair or equitable. Whether you are for or against 'orange man bad', no one ponders how such incredible levels of deference is given to those with great power and influence vs. what consideration everyone else gets. Trump has highlighted this to the point of blinding me. Who else gets this kind of consideration? NO ONE. Not because it's Trump in particular, but he is the best example. I'm not making a point about Trump in particular. People think it's to do with him. It's not - at least - this random thought isn't. The very powerful and/or connected get an insane amount of consideration that no one else is afforded. That's my point. Some of this is understandable given wealth and education give you a far better chance in the legal system, but the "OJ" factor here is off the chain. Yeah, I am using this Trump trial as an example, but again, it is an example of the point I am trying to make, not a point about Trump and his legal quicksand. One of the key principles of liberal western democratic society is applying the rule of law equally to everyone. It is in large part why everyone buys into the "system". But it's simply not the case and I think this goes some way to explaining a grievance within the great unwashed masses that translates into votes for Trump. (It's only a factor) The wilful ignorance of the unfair advantage that the rich/connected/powerful/influential have vs. the average Joe is not sustainable. Not to mention the ever growing wealth gap. Trump WILL burn down this system. For better or worse, that is who and what he is and says. There is no mistaking what Trump stands for. A lot of people will not be perturbed by that given their correct understanding of the current structure. I'll site a single statistic to back up this random thought... Most people in prison per capita = USA To be fair, there is a slightly different way to gage this: Highest rate of incarceration - USA comes in 6th. Still abysmal. Democrats are either too out of touch to know how to engage/talk about this, and more importantly offer a solution, or, the divide is no longer bridgeable so even if they come up with real solutions to this it's no longer heard. The left is not as crazy as the right. Maybe, but it is no longer relevant.

I think "In The Light" is in this category ... The song is rather lengthy and not in any official Zep compilation/best of ... but I like when hearing the effect at the beginning of the song and them Boom it explodes with the riff ...

Still nice and warm during the day (~27c, 80f), but man, these nights are cooling down. The grass is dewy by 10pm now. At least I can drive around windows down and let everyone hear the mad Zep tunes... Firepit will be roaring tomorrow night!

That's so interesting. And to think of how many British up starts were tuned into blues from, what, 35+ years previous? It seems a LOT of British bands and artists were discovering very early recorded blues and built mad careers off the inspiration of that era.

100% this.

Incredible, quality footage. Far out.

^What a great pic of Page.

Heart is one of those bands that have very little offically released live material from their peak, 1977-78. Too bad.