farragutpress

Concert to celebrate Christmas with a purpose

October 21, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

A local business is organizing a family-friendly concert to help those in need during the holidays.

Mark and Pamela Zastrow of Armor Gold Cables are spearheading Christmas with a Purpose to benefit Cold Hands Warm Hearts in Loudon County and are looking for sponsors.

The concert, featuring music artists Mark Mackay, Casey James and Morgan Myles will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, at The Venue at Lenoir City, 7690 Creekwood Park Blvd., Lenoir City.

“I’m excited,” said music artist Casey James, who was a Season 9 finalist on American Idol. “Anytime I get to play music, especially if it’s helping out, that’s a two-for-one for me.”

James also will be performing for a benefit concert 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, at Patriot Church in Lenoir City. Attendees are asked for a minimum $25 donation. The proceeds will go to Alliance Women’s Clinic.

Myles performed on The Voice, and Mackay is a touring country music artist in Nashville.

Early bird tickets for Christmas with a Purpose are $42.50 for general admission, before Saturday Oct. 31; free for children ages 12 and younger; $68.25 for preferred admission, which allows early access; and $104.25 for VIP tickets, which include early admission, VIP seating, meeting the artists and swag from the artists.

Along with the music, there also will be activities for children, such as photos with Santa, crafts, a hot chocolate station, cookie station and a coloring station.

Tickets purchased after Oct. 31 are $47.75 for general admission. The prices for preferred and VIP remain the same after Oct. 31. All of the prices include booking fees.

To purchase tickets in advance, go online to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/christmaswithapurpose.

Armor Gold Cables is a company that custom makes high-end cables musicians use on their instruments, amplifiers and other equipment.

“It’s always been my passion,” Mark Zastrow said about getting into the cables business. “I love music; I always have,” Since the company serves well-known music artists, the Zastrows have a connection to the music business. They are using that connection to draw artists, such as Mackay, James and Myles, to this event.

“What’s on our heart is giving back to the community,” Pamela said. “What we love to do is to get involved from fighting for our healthy foods to giving back to communities with a lot of people in need.”

“We felt it was God’s calling to utilize our connections,” Mark said.

“Lenoir City has quit a few homeless people and quite a few families that actually have a home but don’t have the ability to pay for utilities,” she said. “This time, we picked Cold Hands Warm Hearts to help the homeless and others in need, especially during the holidays.

“A lot of times Christmas isn’t so great for people who are in need,” she said. “It doesn’t come with that warm feeling that a lot of us grew up with.

“So, trying to help those families, those individuals, to have a little bit more of a warmer feeling during the holidays.”

“Cold Hands Warm Hearts is just a fantastic ministry in Lenoir City,” Mark Zastrow said. “They have so many families with so many needs.”