Ted Lasso makes appearance at Thundergong! fundraiser. Here’s who else showed up
Jason Sudeikis opened Saturday night’s Thundergong! music and comedy show in true Ted Lasso fashion — quipping to the camera about patience and shaking a water bottle like a maraca.
“This song really practices what it preaches,” Sudeikis said in full Ted Lasso attire before belting the final verses of a nearly-six minute long Guns N’ Roses cover.
And while the signature mustache and Greyhound sweater vest did not make another appearance in the Steps of Faith Foundation fundraiser, Lasso’s quirky yet sincere tone echoed throughout the remaining 2.5 hours of the show.
Like last year, the event was held virtually because of the pandemic. Viewers tuned in through streaming platforms like Youtube, Mandolin and Facebook. Parts of the livestream were pre-recorded at the Uptown theater in Kansas City last weekend.
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Donations for the Steps of Faith Foundation, which provides financial support to people with amputations who are unable to access prosthetics, were accepted throughout the night on the nonprofit’s website.
“We’re trying to get people arms and legs without it costing an arm and a leg,” Billy Brimblecom Jr., executive director of the Steps of Faith Foundation, said during the show.
Brimblecom says although he lost his leg, he rarely feels disabled thanks to his prosthetic. He hosted the event alongside Sudeikis. The two spent the night alternating between imploring viewers to donate and cracking jokes.
“When we were little kids. remember thinking I’m going to be on Saturday Night Live and you’re going to lose your leg. Remember those dreams,” Sudeikis said.
“Dreaming big as kids,” Brimblecom chimed in, joking with his friend of nearly 25 years.
The hosts excitedly introduced musical guests like Sammy Hagar of Van Halen, who Brimblecom says inspired him to start playing the drums at age 11.
Other performers ranged from local Kansas City yacht rock group Summer Breeze to Christian rapper and singer Lecrae. Each artist filmed their performance remotely at concert venues or home studios.
Special appearances were also made by two of Sudeikis’ former Saturday Night Live co-stars, Fred Armisen and Heidi Gardner, another Kansas City native.
Here were some other highlights of the night:
The show has been ramping up over the past five years, reeling in larger musical guests with each show. This year’s big performers were Sammy Hagar and The Circle, Michael McDonald, the Counting Crows, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and Merry Clayton.
Will Forte and Sudeikis brought back Jon Bovi through one of their old Saturday Night Live sketches. The duo play a musical group that sets themselves apart from Bon Jovi by singing lyrics opposite the rocker’s songs.
Forte and Sudeikis also sang a cover of the song “Shallow” from the 2018 version of the film “A Star is Born.” Forte screamed Lady Gaga’s verses, pressing closer and closer to Sudeikis as he attempted to hit the high notes. Sudeikis joked toward the end of the number that “This was not what it sounded like in rehearsal.”
Kansas City’s Matt Hawkins and Grace Manning shared the hardships they faced living with an amputation without insurance able to cover prosthetic care. Their video entries provided part of the emotional backbone of the event.
Donations are still being accepted at the Steps of Faith Foundation’s website.
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This story was originally published November 21, 2021 at 8:18 AM.
