Inspirational roots recording artist Vili V will be holding his sixth major concert in Hamilton, this time to benefit The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. The concert will celebrate the release of his CD The Journey and feature The Gospel Machine Band, special guests and master of ceremonies Dan Linrud.

Vili V is a 29-year-old singer/songwriter born in Hamilton. He studied jazz and classical music at Mohawk College, graduating in 2000 with an honours diploma. Vili has performed on radio and television in North America and Europe and worked with charities, at festivals and in major theatres in Ontario.

The 10-song album tackles social awareness issues in songs written by Vili. Young Man (Leave Your Guns At Home) is a plea for racial understanding and government action and was written in answer to the teen shooting death outside a Toronto church in 2005.

Also included on the album are four cover songs, Jimmy Cliff's Hard Road to Travel, chosen for its message of faith in times of trouble, traditional tune God's Gonna Cut You Down, inspired by Johnny Cash's recent rendition and the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic You'll Never Walk Alone.

"My grandfather died in 2004 of lung cancer. This was a dark period in my life from which I have never fully recovered," says Vili V. "Also, my friend Pat Hanham has a brain tumour. I've worked with her before to raise money and awareness about the illness. I'm working with her again because she is a great friend and I wish to see her cancer-free."

The concert will take place Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m. at Harmony Baptist Church, 1763 Upper James St.

Tickets, $15, seating is limited. For tickets, please call (905) 561-0265.