Press Release: Livingston Taylor benefit

LIVINGSTON TAYLOR TO PERFORM BENEFIT CONCERT TO SUPPORT
DOCUMENTARY EXPOSING MASS. CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM

New film from Peabody Award-winner provides unprecedented look at failed child protection, foster care and juvenile court systems following two-year investigation

[Boston, MA: For immediate release] Beloved singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor will perform a concert at City Winery Boston on Friday June 28, 2024 to benefit the groundbreaking documentary film, Broken, currently in production.

Broken, which is slated for festival, theatrical, and public television release, follows journalist Brooke Lewitas as she investigates and exposes the fatally-flawed child protection, foster care and family court systems in Massachusetts – where despite a $1.3 billion annual budget, hundreds of children have died in the care of the state child welfare system in recent years. At the same time, thousands of children have gone missing or reported physical and sexual abuse while under the watch of the state child welfare agency, DCF, which is tasked to keep them safe. 

Livingston, who was born in Massachusetts, sees the film as an important opportunity to improve the conditions for children in foster care and families involved with the child welfare system. “Those in poverty or suffering abuse need strong advocacy, which starts with an informed public,” he says. “I am confident that this film will shed needed light on this critical issue, and I’m pleased to support its production.” 

Liv’s career as a professional musician has spanned more than 50 years, encompassing performance, songwriting, and teaching. Described as “equal parts Mark Twain, college professor, and musical icon,” Taylor maintains a performance schedule of more than a hundred shows a year, delighting audiences with his charm and vast repertoire of his 22 albums and popular classics. He has written top-40 hits recorded by his brother James Taylor and has appeared with Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Buffet. 

The film is produced by LCMedia Productions and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Bill Lichtenstein, whose reporting on child welfare has long contributed to systemic change. Broken comes 40 years after “Throwaway Kids,” Lichtenstein’s award-winning report for the ABC series 20/20, which uncovered horrific abuses in the Oklahoma child welfare department, resulting in an overhaul of the state system.  In recognition of the lasting impact of that report, the Oklahoma Child Advocacy Institute established the Burnes/Lichtenstein Journalism Award for reporting on juvenile issues. Lichtenstein was named one of the inaugural winners of the prize with this year’s award given out at a screening of Broken as a work-in progress on May 10 in Tulsa.  

Meanwhile, on May 1, 2024, the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) agreed to hear argument involving LCMedia’s landmark request for access to the impounded transcript of the custody hearing involving Harmony Montgomery, the 5-year-old girl whose murder made headlines around the world after the court gave custody to her father despite his violent criminal history. 

In the wake of Harmony’s death, there has been a sustained public outcry to know how the Essex County Juvenile Court made the custody decision, including requests from lawmakers and even Gov. Chris Sununu, of New Hampshire, the state where Harmony was murdered.

In reaction to the absolute secrecy surrounding such care and protection cases in the Mass. Juvenile Court system, LCMedia Productions and Lichtenstein filed a Motion with the Essex County Juvenile Court seeking the impounded audio tape of the custody hearing to learn what happened for the documentary. 

LCMedia's request was denied by the Essex County Juvenile Court, but LCMedia appealed the decision to the state Court of Appeals.  On May 1, 2024, the Mass. SJC announced the case would go directly to the Supreme Judicial Court (the state's highest appellate court) for oral arguments and a decision, bypassing the state Appellate Court. 

Taylor and Lichtenstein first crossed paths at WBCN-FM in 1970 while Lichtenstein was working there, and Taylor later performed at a benefit in support of Lichtenstein’s award-winning documentary film about the legendary radio station, “WBCN and The American Revolution.”  

Tickets to the Livingston Taylor benefit for Broken are $45 to $75 on the City Winery Boston website at LivTix.org or by calling the City Winery Box office at 617-933-8047. Sponsorships including VIP seating and a “meet and greet” with Taylor and the film’s production team are available at Forthechildren.live or contact Bill Lichtenstein 917-635-2538 or Bill@LCMedia.com

Press: Chris Kelly, Fifth House Public Relations, 617-510-2333 (cell) or ckelly@fifthhousepr.com 

Bill Lichtenstein, LCMedia Production, 917-635-2538, Bill@LCMedia.com