Carson Tahoe Health will honor Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musician and Northern Nevada resident Dave Mason with the dedication of one of its “Vehicles of Change” mobile outreach cars, recognizing his legacy and longtime support of youth mental health.
The public ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, July 12, will dedicate the SOUND IDEAS outreach car, a mobile stage and podcast studio that provides young people with opportunities to build communication skills through music, storytelling and hands-on experiences. During the ceremony, Mason will also be named "Champion of Creativity" in recognition of the inspiration from his lifetime.
Mason, who died in April 2026, spent more than six decades in music. A founding member of Traffic, he also collaborated with artists including Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and The Rolling Stones.
The dedication also recognizes the Dave Mason Legacy Fund, established by Mason's family and his wife, Winifred Wilson, to support Carson Tahoe Health's Vehicles of Change initiative. The program delivers prevention-focused youth mental health programming to schools and community centers across Northern Nevada at no cost.
SOUND IDEAS is one of four mobile units in the Vehicles of Change program. Together, the cars provide interactive programming centered on sound, food, art, and movement, helping children develop resilience, coping skills, and empathy.
Carson Tahoe Health said Nevada ranks last in the nation for mental health outcomes, with high rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality and substance abuse among people of all ages. The organization said half of those conditions begin before age 14, making prevention an important opportunity for early intervention.
A benefit concert featuring members of Mason's touring band and guest performers will follow the dedication. Proceeds will benefit Vehicles of Change through the Dave Mason Legacy Fund.
Although tickets for the tribute concert are sold out, the 4 p.m. dedication ceremony is open to the public. Community members are also invited to attend a public watch party at 5:30 p.m. inside the Nashville Social Club, 1105 South Carson St. in Carson City, where the "Feelin' Alright" concert will be livestreamed from The Swan Music Hall.”
