Three MTSU students recently organized and created a benefit concert to raise money for tornado victims in Murfreesboro, with the entire proceeds from the operation going to the American Red Cross.
Students Ryan Hug, Bobby Licata and Seth Meganck created Rock for Relief at local venue The Vine on Friday, May 8. The show featured local bands THB, Boroughs, Deep Machine and duperocho, which kept The Vine jamming out until 2 a.m.
The students charged a $5 donation minimum to get into the show.
“We had people donating more than just 5 dollars to get in,” said Hug. “We estimated around 80 people showing up but we made more than we planned with that number.”
The Vine donated the venue free of charge for the charity event to help as much as the proceeds as possible go towards tornado relief. All of the bands also donated their time and talents.
The venue’s mini bar proved to be profitable for the cause when the bartender donated his tips from the night to Hug, Licata and Meganck, which landed the proceeds for the night at exactly $520.
“It was really cool of him to help out like that,” said Hug.
All of the money will be donated to the Middle Tennessee Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
There have been many benefit shows happening since the tornados ripped through Murfreesboro on Good Friday of this year. A variety of venues and bands have stepped up to raise awareness and aid to those most affected by the storms.
Nashville Star winner and Rutherford County native Chris Young put on the “Chris Young and Friends Tornado Relief Benefit” at the Murphy Center on May 1. Proceeds from the country star’s show went to the Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Emergency Response Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
The Blue Rooster has hosted two charity events. The Pulse sponsored a show on April 22 that featured The Running, Paradise Daze, The Last Straw, Angel’s Diversion and Ted Meek. The second charity show featured local act Oliver Fist with Trampskirts, Sephra and The Family.
On April 26, Nashville radio stations 102.9 the Buzz and 102.5 the Party presented “Benefit for the Boro” on the KUC knoll on campus. The show featured Newmatic, Trinity James, Solvi, The Worsties, Manic Bloom, Hot Action Cop and the Beauty School Dropouts.
Benefit concerts will continue to pop up around town while Murfreesboro is still recovering from the damage.
Blue Rooster will host another tornado relief show on May 20 at 9 p.m. with The Only Sons, Jed Watts and Tanner Hootch. Those who missed the previous shows should check it out for a good time and a good cause.
