eller Williams is a real one-man band. He’s not one of those goofy circus acts you see playing for tips in tourist-y places around town. But despite his self-proclaimed “soundboard brain,” he still finds room to clown around—he’s a hit in the kid-rock scene, especially with tunes like “Mama Tooted” and “Soakie Von Soakerman.” He can put a fun spin on any Dead tune. He also does something called, “Stairway to Watchtower.” He’s a ninja of love in one tune and above the thunder in another. Yeah, he’s fun.

Williams can flat out play, whether he’s beating it out of his acoustic guitar, laying down loops of percussion and faux horns, or crafting just about every other thing you can loop through a looping station. As a result he’s been a mainstay in the jamband world for a decade plus. That community is most demanding of its live performers, and they’re especially dedicated. For Keller, it’s all about what he can do at a live show. He’s precise in his execution, but there’s always a refreshing looseness in his performances.

Williams usually brings his setup to rooms like the Paradise Rock Club, but this time around he’ll be taking part in something a lot more unique: He’s playing an intimate two-set show at the Life is good flagship store on Newbury Street. For a $50 donation to the Life is good Playmakers, you can score a spot inside the room, which is always a cool hang. For $75 you can take it a step further and meet Keller and the Lig founders on the roof deck post show. The roof deck is an especially cool hang. Grab your tickets here while they're still available (there are fewer than 60 left).

The night is about more than just Keller Williams. The show will benefit the Life is good Foundation, and that's a great thing. With its action arm, the Playmakers, the foundation’s mission is to help kids overcome poverty, violence, and illness. So far Lig has raised more than $8 million for kids in need, with a healthy chunk of that coming from the annual Life is good Festival in Canton.

The Life is good people are doing a lot of right these days. They’re no longer just the T-shirt guys (but be sure to still check out what they’ve got for that; you’ll be surprised). Optimism is their brand, and their festival is where a lot of that attitude comes to play. In its third year at Prowse Farm in Canton, just steps from Blue Hill, the festival brings together the past, present, and future of live music and bills itself as a "one-of-a-kind fundraising music festival." Your ticket money actually goes somewhere, and a lot of people, known as the VGPs (or "very good persons"), go above and beyond. It seems like more and more good people are taking part every year. Who knows? In a few years we’ll probably be talking about it as if it’s the Pan-Mass Challenge of music.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds are headlining this year’s festival, which will happen on Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23. Also on the bill are Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sara Bareilles, Soulive, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Eric Hutchinson, ALO, the Infamous Stringdusters, the Ryan Montbleau Band, and, for the kids, the Fresh Beat Band, Dan Zanes & Friends, the KIDZ BOP Kids, and Josh & the JamTones.

If you have kids, bring them, and if you don’t, you should still go. It’s an uplifting experience to see kids having a blast in the presence of amazing live music. If I’m ever a dad I promise to be a cool dad and bring my kids to this festival.

So there you have it. Life is good isn’t just the T-shirt company anymore. And the best part about all of this is they’re based right here in Boston. For a taste of what Lig is all about (and a great taste of Harpoon, 90+ Cellars wine, and Island Creek Oysters), be sure to snag one of the few tickets left to the Keller Williams private show on Friday, July 20. For more information about the show and the Life is good festival, be sure to visit the Life is good website.

Jake's House Party with Keller Williams

285 Newbury Street, Boston, MA

Friday July 20th

21+

Doors at 7:00 pm

Performance at 8:00 pm.

More info