Hey peeps,
I have a few of the pix from HELPING HANDS FOR HASTINGS up and ready to go. I'll have many more that I'll upload right here later this week.
Watch "JP's Corner" too. JP will have a kick-ass gallery up soon.
I really can't express how great EVERYONE involved in the event was. There were no attitudes and nothing but COOL people, there to help some people they didn't know. The day was perfect, the venue was perfect, the crowd was perfect. The local police were perfect, as well, as they "protected" the block with cruisers, and the chief himself, who was involved in the rescue of one of the survivors, was on site, in uniform, all day. They made sure nothing would come between us and the successful conclusion of the event.
This is the best part of this business.
Now, the thank-yous:
-- First, the performers:
FLIGHT 19 * FELIX and the HURRICANES * JOHN BAKER * JEFF LEEPER * RAZEN KANE * GIN and JUICE * BILLY and the INMATES * ROADKILL * FALLING HIGHER * ATOMIC BLONDE * and my boys from BAD DAZE: "old sKool," "BOBBY" and "BEELZEBUB" ...
EVERYONE kicked ass on that stage and everyone was professional. When one band was done playing, seven or eight people were behind the stage, helping to lift down gear, and then they helped set the next band's gear on the stage. We were averaging 8 minutes between acts and that's impressive! Thanks again. Lulls kill multi-band shows.
FALLING HIGHER ...
BILLY & THE INMATES...
More pix coming ...
-- Next, the crew:
* CHRIS KNAPIK SOUND * RICHIE and BROWN BAG PRODUCTIONS * ICEMAN * PHIL WAGNER * KEVIN SIEGEL-JAMES-DIESEL for the drum kit * RANDY WILSON for the other drum kit * "FUTURE BOBBY" RAINEY for the bass rig ...
These guys and many others busted their tails to make sure we had the proper - and the best - gear available, they got bands on and off stage quickly and they worked tirelessly to make sure the mix was top notch. It's very hard running sound for 13 acts, one after the other with short breaks in between, and having it sound good. I'm telling ya, this was THE BEST outdoor mix I've heard in a long time. Thanks again, guys.
Big ass stage ...
-- The emcee:
What can I say. JIM PRICE drove all morning from Harrisburg to make it in time to start our show, then stayed to work his ass off until the end, somewhere about 1:30 a.m., Monday morning. I could tell he was exhausted when he opened the show, but he later told me he caught his "second and third wind." He also snapped a pile of pix all day long.
JP doin' what he does best ... supporting live, local music ...
He and Q94 CALENDAR GIRLS, MICHELLE and BARB, really helped raise our money total, as JIM cotinuously reminded the crowd to give generously, and the girls assisted our collection team in gathering dollars througout the day. Thank you.
-- My girls, SHELLY, VALLERY and MIRANDA CAROLUS:
I promised them, after a month-and-a-half of planning this show (being on the phone, driving to Hastings, etc.), that we'd have a relaxing, enjoyable day, just hanging out. Instead, I got them staff shirts and put them to work, collecting donations, shooting video and taking pictures, while I ran around with a clipboard.
Still, at the end of the day, it was a great day with my family who always supports me and my endeavors (some people call them "hair brain schemes"). I'm a very lucky person. Thank you. guys ... I love you all three very much.
-- Promotion:
WJAC-TV 6 * WWCP FOX 8 * WATM-TV 23 * Q94 * FOREVER BROADCASTING * PENNSYLVANIA MUSICIAN * ROCKPAGE * THE DAILY NEWS, Huntingdon * PHANTOM X PRODUCTIONS * THE DAILY HERALD, Tyrone * THE STAR-COURIER, Northern Cambria ...
The very generous local media provided us with, not only FREE advertising, but also excellent coverage both before, during and after the event. This is what made the people come to the show!! Thanks so much.
THE DAILY NEWS/THE DAILY HERALD coverage
-- DAVEY GUNTHER and his staff:
Davey and Justin were there from the start, when that fire broke out. Since then, nothing else was on their minds but helping those families. The night of May 14, Davey told me, "we have to have a show for these people ... whatever you need, tell me and I'm there." We all decided right there that this show would happen and that it would be big. It was, thanks in large part to Davey.
DAVEY thanking the crowd ...
He made sure we had a flat bed truck for a stage, complete with cool steps; He razed the house, repaired the house next door, landscaped the property and erected a small memorial on site. He PROVIDED the venue, which was perfect -- shade trees, grass and an uphill grade going away from the stage that made you feel like you were in an auditorium. He procured lots of donated food and soda, water and other drinks, to be sold at a food booth that Justin built the morning of the event. He and his volunteers prepared and served the food, which was delicious. This definitely raised our donation total significantly.
Davey's a classy guy and he's shown that in the wake of this tragedy. His personal pain is apparent and his true colors have really come forward in his need to help these people. My hat is off to you, my friend.
-- Finally ...
I'd like to thank the families of the victims, all of whom came to the show and had a good time. This was one of the most important reasons for this show. These people, for the past month-and-a-half, have had to wake up every morning and deal with the fact that their loved ones -- Delores Holland, Jordon English, Alicia McConnell and Lindsay Depto -- are gone and not coming back. This is a process that's impossible to comprehend unless you've been there.
I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that these people were able to smile a little last Sunday. Not to forget, but to remember the things that defined their loved ones. Lindsay's mom told me her daughter loved music and she knows she would've loved the show. She smiled just then when she thought about her daughter.
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As I said earlier, many more pix are coming, both here and in "JP's CORNER."
If I've forgotten anyone, please forgive me and send me a kick in the ass in the form of a PM. I want to make sure everyone gets their due credit for this incredible event. This was a perfect example of how a scene is built in this area. I was honored to have been a part of it.
r:>)
That's what she said.
