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From Rolling Stone, Issue 787, May 1999, p. 50

Jackson Browne, David Crosby and others in concert to raise funds for WAVY GRAVY’s Seva Foundation

"When Wavy Gravy calls, you don’t say no to the guy," says David Crosby. "All he wants to do it help people." Crosby is one of many artists joining the legendary Berkeley, California, activist at Sing Out for Seva, a benefit concert organized by Gravy on May 15^th at the Berkeley Community Theater. The event which aims to raise $70,000 for medical aid to Third World countries, will also feature performances by Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Odetta, Dan Bern, Iris DeMent, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Charlie Musslewhite and John Trudell.

Gravy promises a three-plus-hour, mostly acoustic show, and fans should expect lots of collaboration. "I try to encourage cross-pollination," he says. "Lesh is playing with Crosby and Nash; Bob Weir is going to do something with Jack Elliot."

Seva (Sanskrit for service) is a nonprofit organization, co-founded by Gravy in 1978, that funds various health and development projects around the world. "Seva is the flashlight that helps people find the light switch," he explains. "We find somebody doing something remarkable and fund it."

Proceeds from the event will be divided equally among Seva’s causes, including community development in Guatemala and Mexico, diabetes prevention among American Indians, and medical-aid organizations working to provide interocular lenses – permanent artificial lenses that restore eyesight. Seva also funds the development of the lenses. "[The operation] costs several thousand dollars in this country," says Gravy, "but we’re able to use a pay-what-you-can system."

To the performers, Sing Out for Seva is not just for a good cause – it’s a good jam. "It will be wonderful to play with these people," says singer/songwriter Dan Bern. "Besides, I’d do anything for Wavy. If he said, ‘Let’s go bowling," I would."