SHOW Compassion 2009 is the brainchild of Jay P, a Melbourne musician, who cares for his father who has Alzheimer’s disease, and Star Motion Enterprises.

The music event, with a stellar line-up volunteering their performances, will raise money for Alzheimer’s Australia Vic tonight.

Jay P (Joseph Portelli) said it was the desire to overcome feelings of helplessness, while caring for his father, that inspired him to organise the concert.

His father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2005. In response to the experience, he penned the song How the Times Have Changed, which Alzheimer’s Australia Vic and Alzheimer’s International embraced as an anthem.

“I now feel I can do something with music which can play a major role in raising awareness about this illness,” he said.

The son of late Australian television legend Don Lane, fellow musician PJ Lane, was to sing for his father tonight.

Don Lane died from dementia-related illness in his care home today.

In the lead-up to the event, PJ had said he had come to know “just how difficult it can be for the families of those stricken with the disease and how much care is required to ensure a quality of life for their loved ones”.

Show Compassion will go on tonight, October 22, from 7.30pm, at Trak Showroom, 445 Toorak Rd, Toorak.

Performers include Jay P, 2007 Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci, Jack Byrnes, Mark Da Costa, Jo Dawson, James Hampton and John Swan.

Special guests include Archibald Prize winner Vincent Fantauzzo, Melbourne Victory’s Kevin Muscat, and photographer Mark Avellino.

Tickets: $50/$40. Bookings: 9827 8244.

How the Times Have Changed can be heard at myspace.com/jaypofficial