For those of you that do not know me I can be quite emotional and passionate about certain things in my life. Friends and family obviously take the highest precedent... I have been known to cry a time or two at a Widespread Panic show, hugging the people close to me while telling them how much I love them. I am quite comfortable in my own skin and have no problems admitting that I am a bit of a crier. On May 3rd I sat down to watch the news and was blown away by the devastation that record breaking tornadoes caused from Mississippi to Virginia the day before. I soon realized that there were tears running down my face in awe of the destruction I was watching. Even though Denver is now my home, I still have very strong ties to the south. I immediately called my good friend Eric Hood, a Birmingham native, and asked him his thoughts on putting together a benefit concert at Pete's Monkey Bar. He admitted that he too was moved by what he was seeing on the news and agreed we had to do something to help these people. I quickly hung up and called Pete and he agreed. And the race was on. We had eleven days to put together Sweet Home Alabama: a Day of Music for Tornado Relief.
Despite the short amount of time we had, the perpetual naysayers, and every other issue that becomes a problem when planning a benefit May 15th finally arrived and went off with out a hitch. I will say with out a doubt that Eric Hood put together the best music in Denver for the weekend. The show opened up with a strong, burly set from The Longest Day of the Year out of Boulder, Colorado. Sean Lamborne’s growl belted out of the speakers loud enough to impress some of rock n roll’s mighty up in heaven. Now that the music had started and folks were filing in the door and the whiskey was flowing freely, I could relax a little bit. Next up was the Mighty High Band. These guys never fail to rally the crowd with their versions of Jerry Garcia tunes.The crowd was starting to feel the booze, dance, and bid on the items which were up for silent auction. By the time Dorian Vibe took the stage the crowd was in full force and ready to rock. Steve Homan and the boys belted out songs by the Band, The Allman Brothers, and some of their own material. Now, I was as happy as could be. The place was packed, the food was great, the music was amazing and we still had two more hours to go. With Dorian Vibe on stage Eric Hood started to rotate musicians, including himself, in and out for one stellar Denver All Star Jam. The musicians included, Michael Stork Caprara, Aaron Rose, Michael Weeze Dewald, Joe Damron, Adam Stern, and Morgan Coley. All these guys closed out the set with a rocking rendition of Sweet Home Alabama that would have made any southerner in snake skin boots and leather pants proud!
All in all it was a fantastic day. We sold all of the items that were donated for auction. People had a great time and danced the afternoon away for a great cause. I want to thank a few other people that made this event possible. First and foremost I want to thank Pete Penzenstadler for letting us use Pete’s Monkey Bar for this event. I also want to thank his staff, Grant Stuart, Aby Hauser, Joe Damron and Stevie Gregory. These guys worked hard and we greatly appreciate it. I also want to thank Corey Zylstra for putting together the Amazing prints for the event. A very big thanks to Pete OEP Evers for making sure our community donated items to be auctioned off. You are the man. Once again Colfax Radio’s Little Mikey Colfax did a fantastic job as the MC. I do not thing I have ever heard so many people laugh over and over again at syphilis jokes while being awarded their raffle prize! I also want to thank Belle Naugher for her fantastic job on her live painting! Thank you Don from Yazoo BBQ for the food, it was wonderful. I do apologize if I left any one out. THANK YOU EVERY ONE THAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE!
I am going to close with something my parents always taught me. Serving those less fortunate than your self will always bring joy to your heart because it is what you are suppose to do!
GO SEE LIVE MUSIC!
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