Turlock musician Colt Taylor hopes to give back to a worthy cause with a benefit concert this Saturday.

Taylor said that all proceeds from his country rock concert at the State Theater in Modesto will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The organization funds research for blood cancer research, education, and patient services. Taylor became interested in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society when he was researching non-profit organizations. He was personally interested in the organization because a former producer of Taylor's lost a daughter to cancer.

“I saw that the LLS was (a group) that gave back the most to its cause,” Taylor said.

All net proceeds left after the cost of production will go to the organization. Taylor said that he has set a yearly donation goal of $50,000.

“As the years go by I'd like to increase that goal,” Taylor said.

This is Taylor's first concert at the State Theater, but he has plans for other future benefit concerts. He would like to play at the Gallo Center for the Arts later in the year, and he has an upcoming tour. Taylor will play at casinos and other larger venues during his tour, but he said every one of his concerts will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“Every show needs to have a good message,” Taylor said.

Good messages are what Taylor's songs are made of. He described his music as country rock with positive messages about real people. His Saturday concert will be a family friendly event and a theatrical show. All of the songs he will play at his concert will start with a big hit from a 1980s rock band, and then will transition into his own original songs.

“We have backup dancers and choreography. It's not just a band playing on a stage,” Taylor said.

Taylor writes, sings, and produces his music. He had his first singing solo at the age of 4, and he has been enthusiastic about music ever since. Taylor said that he was born to be a musician. He started writing music when he was around 12 and continues to be inspired to create new songs.

Taylor is a Turlock native, born and raised. He now owns a downtown business, and he wants to give back to his hometown community. His contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are his way of giving back.

The country rock concert starts at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the State Theatre of Modesto. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for kids 12 and under. Walnut Road, an acoustic country group, will open the show. Tickets can be purchased at www.thestate.org. For more information about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.

To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.