Local artists plan benefit concert for tornado relief
Everybody is pitching in to help the local tornado victims and this includes several members of the music industry. Several popular music artists are joining forces with East Franklin, Phil Campbell and Hackleburg organizers in an effort to rebuild the area devastated by the deadly tornadoes on April 27.
The “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Tornado Relief Concert” will be held on June 13th from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Russellville High School Stadium. The concert will serve as the kick-off event to a long-term fundraising effort, providing financial assistance to those in need after the devastating tornado outbreak across North Alabama.
The music lineup will feature Ronnie McDowell, Travis Wammack and Marty Raybon along with local artists Kerry Gilbert and Joseph Baldwin. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at local CB&S, First Metro or People’s Trust banks, or online at www.djohnsonproductions.com. Tickets are $20 the day of the show and can be purchased at the gate.
Organizers also wanted to make sure the tornado victims could attend this special benefit concert, so city and county buses will be in East Franklin, Phil Campbell and Hackleburg the day of the event to escort storm victims to the concert free of charge. Three Anchor Tour buses will be donated as well.
“We’re very pleased to be able to lend our collective talents to assist in the rebuilding of these three communities,” event producer David Johnson said. “Travis [Wammack] was particularly affected, and you can hear it in his new song, ‘God Bless Alabama.’ Wammack will perform the song live in concert. He’s looking forward to performing for the many storm victims who’ll be there, just as all the performers are.”
The event will also feature several speakers including pastors from some of the destroyed churches from the three communities and “Southern Gentleman” Sonny James.
Herb Winches, celebrated radio sportscaster, will give a reading of the devastation as the National Weather Service reported it on the day of the fatal storms, and Winches and Johnson will act as co-emcees for the event.
According to Nina McNatt, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, the road to recovery will be more difficult for some than others.
“For every family that is supported by their insurance, there’s another family that had no safety net – and absolutely no way to rebuild,” McNatt said. “We can’t afford to wait for potential government support to trickle down. We have to act now to help our neighbors. This concert is just the beginning of a community effort like you’ve never seen before.”
Organizers of the event are encouraging individuals who are unable to attend the show to donate to the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Relief Fund” at any CB&S, First Metro or People’s Trust bank branches.
Corporations are encouraged to purchase corporate tickets for clients, employees or associates. City, county and state representatives involved in the effort are also asking that donations to the fund continue into the future as long as funds are needed.
