so i got some pretty cool stuff going on.

saturday is the 2nd annual cancer sucks rock and roll benefit show.  although i’m calling it the 2nd annual cancer (still) sucks benefit gala.  the more i think about it the more i think it sounds gay.  but that’s the mood i was in when i had the flyers printed.

next year will most def be the third annual cancer sucks rock and roll benefit show.  thinking about adding a 5 k.

but this benefit thing is kind of a big deal for me.  facing court mandated community service, and community service is the way to go.  they’ll oftimes ease up on the fines if you’ll volunteer community service.

but anyway, i had a brain flash to put on a rock and roll concert to benefit three specific people in my life afflicted with cancer.  my father being a cancer survivor.  three people that were friends with me, probably my best friends at different stages of my life.

that and i was trying to get my fledgling rock band out of the garage and figured this was a perfect opportunity!

i had an in at the rudyard kipling.  maybe the coolest joint in all of louisville.  the coziest little nook, the most eclectic and interesting place i’ve found.  i’ve seen a death metal band and a husband wife comedy duo perform on the same stage in the same week.

ken, the old cat runs the joint says he’s been trying to sell it since he bought way back in the 80′s, is the absolute nicest dude you’ll ever meet.  the first time i walked into this place ken and his wife sheila were singing a duet just because.

i’ve been a fan ever since and had the opportunity to work there as a server for a brief time.  so i called ol’ kenny up and ask if i can book the place for my benefit show.

sure, no problem.

so i had some friends help me make some flyers, hollered at some boys from lexington come down and play some rock and roll with us.  hollered at a couple lousville bands come rock and roll with us.

we made almost 800 bucks.  of which we divided four ways and sent four checks to David Blair, Jason Newby, Preslie Leathers and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Louisville.  The LLS because i though it would be a good idea to put a credible logo on our flyers.  and they were the only organization i approached didn’t want the bulk of the funds raised.  they didn’t want any of it.

they said, sure you can use the logo.  yeah, no problem.  oh, you want to give us some money too?  even more better.

they didn’t really say that.  or use such poor grammer, i’m just saying.  they were super cool so i’m splitting the funds raised with them again this year.

this year i decided to add a silent auction.  and as the day draws near i’m starting to doubt myself a bit.  i don’t know anything about a silent auction.  i’ve never been to a silent auction.  i don’t even think i asked anyone how to do a silent auction.

i just figured i’d go out and see if i could get some stuff to auction.  and i got some pretty cool stuff.  some horse riding lessons, some music lessons, a man at church donated corporate training sessions.  i’m not sure the audience that will draw, but it sounded expensive so i put it on the flyer.

and i’ve got some smaller, gift basket type stuff too.  a kentucky headhunter gift basket with a t-shirt, hat, cd and framed autographed photo of the band.  i’ma bid 20 bucks on that one myself.

oh, and i added online donating too.  which has already yielded an eighth of last years total funds raised.

so i’m feeling a little better about the whole thing.  if folks show up, we’ll have a good time and help some people out.  and if no one shows up, we’ll have a good time and help some people out.  ’cause i’m already back in black.

thank you troy reynolds.

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