Above and beyond


It started as a high school senior’s project; now, it’s become both an ALS fundraiser and a showcase for his brother’s talent.

BY DINO LULL


AUGUSTA, GA - What began as the obligatory senior project for Lakeside High School student Stephen Lam has now become something larger than just a mere report and media presentation. For Lam, his final paper has transformed into a benefit concert in support of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.

Better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, named after the famous baseball player, ALS is a neurodegenerative disease affecting motor skills and muscle control. Often the end result is total paralysis.

Lam knows a little something about ALS. The father of a friend has the disease. The trials this man and his family are currently going through are the inspiration for the benefit concert Lam has put together.

“Over the summer I found out my friend’s father has ALS,” Lam recalls. “I thought it would be nice to do something for the family.”

Honorable though it is to support ALS, Lam also gets to complete his mandatory senior project and help out his brother.



Brian Lam



Stephen’s brother and Georgia musician Brian moved to Los Angeles three and a half years ago to pursue his music career. In July, the elder Lam brother finished recording his first full-length album, “My Embrace.” Also in 2008, millions of people all across the country witnessed Brian Lam on the seventh season of “American Idol” rise to one of the top 164 positions after the first cut.

Still, even with success possibly right around the corner, Brian isn’t too proud to forget his hometown. He has signed on to play a handful of originals and covers in his “John Mayer-but-Southern” style to benefit Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

From the roots of a research paper studying whether a band needs a major label to make it in the music industry, Stephen has launched something truly wonderful and selfless.

And what was the result of all his footwork on independent record labels versus the big boys? Bands don’t need the major record labels if “they’re good enough and know how to work the crowds,” Stephen says. “If they’re good to the fans, the fans will be good to the band.”

After graduation, Stephen plans to stay in Georgia to attend college, where he will focus on the entertainment business. In addition to the upcoming benefit and polishing off his senior paper, he reminds people the concert is also a great place to “come check out a very good musician.” After his “American Idol” popularity and the release of his new album, perhaps the next time Brian returns to Augusta, the James Brown Arena will be sold out.

The proceeds from the benefit will go to the ALS organization where it will then be dispersed as needed for victims of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Advance tickets can be purchased at Family Christian Bookstores on Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. Brian Lam’s “My Embrace” will be available for purchase during the event, which will also include a discussion and video on ALS during intermission.

Brian Lam
Warren Baptist Church
Friday, Jan. 30
7 p.m.
$10 advance; $12 at the door
myspace.com/brianlammusic
als.org

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