Written by Mollie Talbot for The KC Scene
When I said I was going to Thundergong, I got a plethora of hilarious responses.
“Thunderthong?”
“Thunderdong?”
“What the hell is that?”
But my brother’s response won out when he said, “Sounds like American Gladiators at a gay bar?” (Which, as an aside, I would also attend.)
People’s responses made it clear this annual celebrity packed KC based fundraiser has yet to receive the recognition it deserves. If you’re a Kansas Citian, Thundergong isn’t just something you should know of. It is something to champion with all the Midwest magic you can muster.
The issue is that Thundergong escapes description. A bit like Fight Club, you’ll only really understand it once you attend. And last weekend the KC Scene team got to.
At its simplest, Thundergong is a fundraiser benefitting Steps of Faith Foundation. It defines itself as “a night of unforgettable musical performances and loads of laughs as we come together to help uninsured and underinsured amputees get the prosthetic limbs they need, restoring mobility and restoring possibilities.”
Steps of Faith Foundation was started in 2013 by Kansas City’s own Billy Brimblecom Jr., who lost his left leg to Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2005. As a physically active man and a long time drummer prior to his diagnosis, retaining mobility and activity was of utmost importance.
Sadly, in pursuing his first prosthetic, he discovered the connected thirty thousand dollar price tag. Having to personally fundraise in order to achieve his prior level of functioning, he recognized how reprehensible it is to make prosthetics cost prohibitive for those already suffering such a loss.
Which is why, in 2017, he teamed up with a friend from his high school improv group with a familiar name to most KC folks, Jason Sudeikis. The two birthed a star studded annual fundraiser for those affected by amputation and financially hindered from achieving the quality of life they deserve.
Since 2017, they’ve raised over five million dollars for the cause. 1,135,588 of that was raised just last weekend.
While a wildly successful fundraiser at its core, in reality Thundergong brings together everything Kansas City is best for. Talented homegrown celebrities combine their connections with our city’s superpower of empathically leaning into another’s struggle with our energy, time, funds, and fun.
This year’s Kansas City Thundergong was attended by eight different countries and forty three different states. Again, they raised one point one three million dollars in just one night. But even this doesn’t capture its full essence.
With little knowledge as to what I was in for, but deep admiration for Jason Sudeikis and the best TV show of all time (arguably), Ted Lasso, I was excited but still confused. Some described Thundergong as a concert. Others called it a variety or comedy show. No description did it justice.
Walking up to the event, we were met by a line of people wrapped around the block, waiting to get the best spot possible in the Uptown Theater. The no assigned seat casualness of the event was one of my favorite aspects. It brought people of all age groups together in laughter and song for a great cause.
Composed of several musicians on varying instruments, local band Summer Breeze serves as Thundergong’s yearly house band. It includes Steps of Faith Foundation and Thundergong founder and CEO Billy Brimblecom Jr. on drums, with his wife Allie on vocals.
Beyond Summer Breeze, every year Thundergong partners with Jason Sudeikis and almost always his SNL buddy Will Forte. They are joined by an ever changing list of incredibly talented celebrity actors, musicians, and comedians that bridge generational gaps, making the night relevant for people of every age.
Past guests include Fred Armisen, Wynonna Judd, Hannah Waddingham, The Get Up Kids, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Darkness, Hannah Waddingham, Seth Meyers, Pierce Brosnan, Brandi Carlile, Ben Harper, Tom Morello, and Camila Cabello.
This year, Sam Richardson, Cristo Fernandez, and Brendan Hunt from Ted Lasso were joined by Will Forte, Weird Al Yankovic, Waxahatchee, Kevin Morby, Lindi Marcusen, April Lockhart, and Ezra French. Last minute surprise Ted Lasso cast cameos came from Hannah Waddingham, who plays Rebecca Welton, and Annette Badland, who plays beloved barmaid Mae.
A celebrity lineup like that is a recipe for success in itself. But I had no idea these actors had such immense musical talent. This wasn’t a tipsy celebrity karaoke hour. Thundergong is jam packed with truly impressive performances, equaled only by how hard you laugh witnessing the effortless banter and playful skits between songs and fundraising activities or auctions.
Will Forte mysteriously managed to live up to Roy Orbison during his cover of “Handle with Care” by The Traveling Wilburys alongside Jason and Sam. He also stepped into the role of Jinu, the lead singer of the Saja Boys from KPop Demon Hunters, for a wild rendition of “Soda Pop,” and somehow still had the energy to bring the house down with his take on Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” with Weird Al Yankovic.
Jason killed it singing Billy Joel’s “My Life,” while somehow just as passionately covering “Gangster’s Paradise” with Sam Richardson, before Weird Al took over with his well known rendition, “Amish Paradise.”
The set list was high energy, hilarious, and unpredictable. It was even more entertaining if you’re familiar with Ted Lasso. Watching Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), Edwin Akufo (Sam Richardson), and Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernandez) are incredible performers with range. I woke up the next day with side cramps from laughing.
Thundergong 2025 raised fifteen thousand dollars for a pair of shoes. Forty five thousand dollars for tickets to the Ted Lasso Season 4 premiere. Over a million dollars to help amputees access prosthetics. It gifted attendees an unforgettable night of memories and laughter.
All in all, it was a down to earth joy sharing night of collective effervescence and one of the best fundraisers I’ve attended. Next year, make sure you do not miss it.
Before Taylor and Travis began shoveling attention toward Kansas City, there was another T in the game. Ted Lasso. An unforgettable name for an unforgettable evening, but one that unfortunately doesn’t register for many Kansas Citians. It should, because it exemplifies the best of us.
There are a few shows in life that anchor you to a happier existence than you might be experiencing in the moment. For Kyle and I, it is Ted Lasso.
For the average Kansas Citian, by now Jason Sudeikis should be a household name. If not for his SNL presence and multiple movies, then for his internationally successful show on Apple TV, Ted Lasso. While known for his talent, hilarity, and homegrown roots in Overland Park, you should know him just as much for the annual fundraiser he champions on behalf of his friend’s foundation, Steps of Faith.
Taking place in Kansas City every year since 2017, Thundergong has raised over five million dollars for amputees to access prosthetics.
DONATE TO STEPS OF FAITH FOUNDATION
[Highlighted past performances found on YouTube playlist]
Do you want to go next year? Get on the list to be notified when tickets go on sale = https://thundergong.org/signup
