July 16, 2026

rock star for recovery

How One Concert Is Changing the Conversation About Addiction & Recovery

Her aesthetic is reminiscent of Stevie Nicks and on this particular night, she’s rocking (pun intended) some incredible fringe boots — a Mother’s Day gift, she tells the audience.

From the moment she steps on stage, Stella Maris Director of Nursing Carole Negus transforms into a rock star, singing in Bright Lights Big City, a band that sometimes includes, among others, her husband and son.

Bright Lights Big City is at Music Box Supper Club to perform with some special friends from Stella Maris for the 16th Annual Rock of Faith concert.

Black heeled boots with fringe standing on wires

5 band members against a black backdrop. Inset photo of 3 people singing.

Carole is multi-faceted. She’s spent just shy of 14 years at at Stella, and retires in December. She’s a wife. A mother. A grandmother. She’s a competitive curler.

She’s also in recovery.

Rock of Faith, Carole’s signature event, was started as a way for her to tell the story of her journey from addiction to recovery through music. Rather than simply performing songs, Carole weaves personal stories into the music, creating a live soundtrack to someone's recovery journey. And each year, she chooses someone else’s journey to highlight.

For 2026, she chose Stella Maris PHP Case Manager Jamila Hardy (although Jamila’s identity remained anonymous until the end of the concert).

There’s an element to the event that is difficult to describe. The room grows quiet. Carole begins to read. Before the audience has time to process the words, the band crashes into the next song. It happens over and over throughout the evening, memories dissolving into music.

“The attraction to the block and the life I believed came with it drove me to the streets.” Without transition, the band begins to play Clapton’s Cocaine.

“My life was changing rapidly and all the structure that I had as a child was replaced with my friends on the streets, and we had different values.” This was followed by very different and equally mesmerizing performances of Demi Lovato’s Father and Dear Alcohol by Dax.

The narratives continued, the band moving into the next strong, fading into the next excerpt, as Jamila’s story continued.

collage of 4 images of musical performers on stage

Then, almost without warning, hope enters the room. Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come, Amos Lee’s Violin, Taylor Swift’s Clean, Benson Boon’s Beautiful Things… Jamila’s story had begun its climb toward recovery.

Following Tom Petty’s I Won’t Back Down, Carole excitedly told the audience who’s story it was, saying Inga Rose’s Celebrate Me perfectly captured the spirit of Jamila Hardy: High energy, positive, happy, strong, and free. Carole’s enthusiasm for Jamila was contagious.

It was a moment that reminded the audience that Carole isn't just a rock star. She's been Jamila's clinician. Then her coworker. And now her friend.

Her pride in Jamila was unmistakable.

The entire company performed Justin Timberlake’s I Can’t Stop This Feeling, with many members of the audience joining in.

Events like Rock of Faith, featuring songs audiences know by heart and rock concert vibe, open the door for conversations about addiction and recovery in spaces where it wouldn’t otherwise come up.

For 16 years, Carole has used music to prove something recovery professionals witness every day: people can change. This event reminds us that addiction is not the end of anyone's story. Recovery is possible, help is available, and everyone deserves a second chance.