Rooted in Altadena: Music, Wood, and the Power of Rebuilding
When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena on January 7, 2025, homes and beloved trees were lost in the flames. It was a heartbreaking chapter for the community. Yet Altadena has never been defined by hardship — it is defined by resilience, creativity, and neighbors coming together to rebuild.
In response, PLUS1 LA Fires Fund and the Fender Custom Shop came together to create four limited-edition instruments crafted from salvaged trees lost in the Eaton Fire. Jeff Perry of Angel City Lumber has already recovered more than 1,000 trees, with plans to repurpose them for future rebuilding projects in the community.
“Recovery doesn’t end when the headlines fade,” said Marika Anthony-Shaw, Founder and CEO of PLUS1. “This collaboration shows what it looks like when brands use their craft, their audience, and their resources to continue supporting communities that still need help long after the news cycle has moved on.”
“His goal (Perry) was to make sure that the trees that grew up in Altadena would remain in Altadena,” Bridges shared.
Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes
A Concert for Altadena – 1/7/2026 Pasadena, CA
On January 7, 2026, the one year anniversary of the Eaton Fire, the community gathered at the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium for A Concert for Altadena — a powerful evening honoring resilience and raising critical funds for continued recovery efforts.
The benefit concert featured an extraordinary lineup, including Dawes & Friends featuring Eric Krasno, Aloe Blacc, Lord Huron, Brandon Flowers (The Killers), Judith Hill, Rufus Wainwright, Jenny Lewis, Mandy Moore, Brad Paisley, Stephen Stills, Lucius, with performances by Ozomatli and Everclear, and hosted by John C. Reilly. The evening supported the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund, with funds directed specifically to the Altadena Builds Back Foundation.
During the concert, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes (pictured left) played one of Fender’s limited-edition guitars crafted from salvaged Altadena wood — transforming what was once lost into something that carried the community’s story forward. Following the performance, the guitar was auctioned from January 14 through February 4, raising $13,700.
Proceeds from the guitar auction were directed to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to support rebuilding and recovery efforts in Altadena, ensuring that recovery is not just commemorated, but actively carried forward.
More than instruments, these guitars symbolize continuity. They are proof that Altadena is not defined by what was lost, but by what is being rebuilt. Through music, craftsmanship, and partnership, the community continues to move forward — stronger, more connected, and rooted in hope.
