Steve Earle Benefit Show Welcomes Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, & More In NYC [Video/Photo]

“This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve done this,” Steve Earle told the audience at New York’s landmark Town Hall, “so I guess we can say ‘fourth annual’ now.” This year’s John Henry’s Friends show, co-produced by City Winery, was the finest yet in what has become a proud tradition for the benefit of New York’s Keswell School for autistic children. With Warren Haynes, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks joining Earle’s long-time musical mates The Mastersons—Chris and Eleanor—and the Dukes, everyone contributed to the feel-good vibe, each set managing to take the music to the next level.

John Henry is Steve Earle’s son who was diagnosed as autistic at 19 months old. Since then, Steve has navigated his way through complicated bureaucratic and legal tangles to get his son the education he deserves. John Henry now attends the Keswell School, and the show helps fund scholarships for other autistic children. Earle spoke emotionally about his experiences with autism and its impact on children and parents he has known.

The Mastersons, Eleanor on violin and Chris on guitar, opened the evening with original tunes before welcoming Warren Haynes. Performing solo on acoustic guitar, Warren spent time tuning between songs. “Have to be in tune when you play Town Hall,” he said. Switching to electric, he welcomed Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks for a crowd-pleasing take on “Soulshine” that recalled Haynes and Trucks’s days together in the Allman Brothers Band.

Derek and Susan were up next, starting out on acoustic guitars before welcoming back Warren Haynes and The Mastersons. Among the evening’s many highlights was Susan’s cover of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” a song, she said, Bob Dylan sang on the Town Hall stage in 1963.

Even though it was Steve Earle’s night, he put himself in a tough position following so much talent, but he had no problem delivering a high-energy set that had the crowd on its feet with favorites such as “Guitar Town” and “Copperhead Road.” For the big finale, he brought the evening’s entire crew on stage for “Midnight Rider.” To close, he told how Graham Nash appeared at the second John Henry benefit and every show now ends with “Teach Your Children.”

It was a great evening of music for an important cause. Beyond the money raised, people who had come for the music left with a deeper awareness of the challenges of autism. As the crowd dispersed in and around New York’s Times Square, there was an almost palpable glow of having experienced something special.

“South Nashville Blues” – Derek Trucks & Steve Earle