Behind the Mission of ALSTOCK
- May 9
- 3 min read
Updated: May 16
A Backyard Concert Becomes a Community Movement
How one doctor's idea to help local musicians grew into an annual celebration of live music and community.
Interview with Dr. Albert Puerini, Co-Director, Tune In Tune Up & ALSTOCK
What started as a simple idea in a backyard has grown into a grassroots community music event supporting Rhode Island’s music scene. ALSTOCK, the annual fundraiser concert co-directed by Dr. Albert Puerini, celebrated its most successful year yet, drawing over 300 attendees and shining a spotlight on some of the finest local musical talent around. Helping bring that vision to life each year is Don “DC” Culp, co-director of Tune In Tune Up and a musician who has performed around the world. Known throughout the Rhode Island music community, DC has become an integral part of bringing local musicians together for ALSTOCK and helping build the collaborative spirit that defines the event. We sat down with Dr. Puerini to talk about how it all started, what keeps it going, and where it's headed.
Supporting Musicians Beyond the Stage
ALSTOCK was born out of a desire to do more for local musicians. In 2021, Dr. Puerini and his colleagues at Tune In Tune Up, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting musicians, decided it was time to start raising funds in a meaningful way by providing real assistance to local artists facing medical, dental, behavioral health, and personal financial challenges. The solution, it turned out, was hiding in his own backyard.
“In 2021, we decided that we should start having fundraisers to support Tune In Tune Up and provide aid to local musicians for medical, dental, behavioral health, and personal needs,” says Dr. Puerini. “I thought an outdoor concert in my backyard highlighting local musicians would attract a crowd.”
A Vibe All Its Own
The event has cultivated a distinct atmosphere that keeps attendees coming back year after year. ALSTOCK isn't a formal concert venue experience, it's something more personal. Guests are encouraged to arrive with lawn chairs and coolers in tow, settle in, and let the music wash over them.
Dr. Puerini describes the feeling as a "mini-Woodstock" and he should know. He was there in August 1969, one of the half-million people who gathered on Max Yasgur's 600 acre farm in upstate New York for the original three days of peace and music. That firsthand memory of what a truly communal musical experience feels like is baked into everything ALSTOCK aspires to be. The goal is simple: give people four hours of great music, good company, and the freedom to just be.
Why Musicians Need More Than Applause
At its heart, ALSTOCK is a fundraiser, and Dr. Puerini is candid about why that matters. "Musicians can sometimes have a tough life," he says. "Most cannot make a living on their music alone." Through Tune In Tune Up, ALSTOCK proceeds go directly toward supporting artists when they need it most, whether that means covering a medical bill, a dental procedure, or helping someone through a personal crisis. It's a recognition that the people who fill our lives with music often lack the safety net that other professions provide.
The numbers tell a satisfying story. ALSTOCK launched with roughly 80 attendees. Then came a performance by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and the crowd swelled to over 300. For Dr. Puerini, that growth isn't just exciting, it's directly tied to the event's mission. The larger the audience, the more support the organization can provide to the musicians who need it.
This year's event promises to be the most talent-packed yet. Organizers have assembled the "ALSTOCK Allstars", a group of five of the most talented and recognizable names in the local music scene, brought together specifically for the occasion. Joining them is Steve Smith & The Nakeds, a fixture on the local circuit for an extraordinary 50 years.
Looking Ahead
With momentum building every year, Dr. Puerini has his sights set on continued growth, not for its own sake, but because every new attendee means more resources flowing back to the musicians ALSTOCK was created to serve. The vision is clear: find the finest local acts, build the audience, and keep the support coming. As long as there are musicians who need a hand, ALSTOCK will be there to lend one.
Come for the music, stay for the mission. For tickets or to make a donation to ALSTOCK VI, visit www.givebutter.com/alstock-2026
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