Local Artists Pull Music Community Together For ACU Benefit Concert
By: Alex Hayes
Updated: November 10, 2011
Friday marks a week since the tragic Abilene Christian University bus
accident that claimed the life of one student and injured several
others. Some local musicians put together a benefit concert to be held
in Hamby, in order to raise money for the victims of the accident and
their families.
Yesterday, A funeral was held in Lubbock in memory of sophomore Anabel Reid, who was the only fatality in the accident off Highway 83 in Runnels county. Lots of people have been reaching out through social media outlets clamoring for some way to help in light of the accident.
One Abilene band decided to make things happen and put together a benefit concert in honor of Anabel and the other ACU crash victims.
"Just had the idea, came home one night talked to my roommate about it and it just blew up with ideas," says band member Michael Whisenhunt. "We started talking to businesses about donating and tried to get a bunch of artists to come out."
It didn't take long before the support began to pour in.
"We had a lot of great people volunteer and want to help," says Nick Swinford, guitar player for The Swindlers. "You'd be surprised how the community will react to something in a tragic state like this."
A group of students looking to help, even volunteered their time to clean up the old Hamby gym, where the event will take place.
"We went out there and it's not in the shape we really needed it to be in to put on a benefit," explains Swinford.
The list of commercial donors range from Lonestar Catering, to Walmart, Mrs. Bairds, and even Pepsi have all pitched in to help make the concert a reality.
"Me and Mike have just been getting after it trying to get everything put together and people have just been really responsive in helping out," says Swinford.
Along with The Swindlers, other local musicians scheduled to play at the benefit include several ACU bands, Blinded by Bears, Aaron's Charm, 21 in June, Daniel Hickson, and the Kirk House Band.
The Fund the Farmers benefit concert will be held Friday, November 11th at the Old Hamby Gym, 226 County Road 503, in Hamby, TX. The event lasts from 6pm to Midnight.
More information about the event can be found on the Event's Facebook Page. The group says donations are welcome at the Fund the Farmers to help support the crash victims and their families.
After the interview the Swindler's gave us a sneak performance. You can watch the entire clip on the KTAB 4u Facebook Page.
Related Links:
Local Businesses to Donate Percentage of Proceeds to Bus Crash Victims
UPDATE: 2 More ACU Students Released from Hospitals
'Anabel Reid - Celebration of Life'
Yesterday, A funeral was held in Lubbock in memory of sophomore Anabel Reid, who was the only fatality in the accident off Highway 83 in Runnels county. Lots of people have been reaching out through social media outlets clamoring for some way to help in light of the accident.
One Abilene band decided to make things happen and put together a benefit concert in honor of Anabel and the other ACU crash victims.
"Just had the idea, came home one night talked to my roommate about it and it just blew up with ideas," says band member Michael Whisenhunt. "We started talking to businesses about donating and tried to get a bunch of artists to come out."
It didn't take long before the support began to pour in.
"We had a lot of great people volunteer and want to help," says Nick Swinford, guitar player for The Swindlers. "You'd be surprised how the community will react to something in a tragic state like this."
A group of students looking to help, even volunteered their time to clean up the old Hamby gym, where the event will take place.
"We went out there and it's not in the shape we really needed it to be in to put on a benefit," explains Swinford.
The list of commercial donors range from Lonestar Catering, to Walmart, Mrs. Bairds, and even Pepsi have all pitched in to help make the concert a reality.
"Me and Mike have just been getting after it trying to get everything put together and people have just been really responsive in helping out," says Swinford.
Along with The Swindlers, other local musicians scheduled to play at the benefit include several ACU bands, Blinded by Bears, Aaron's Charm, 21 in June, Daniel Hickson, and the Kirk House Band.
The Fund the Farmers benefit concert will be held Friday, November 11th at the Old Hamby Gym, 226 County Road 503, in Hamby, TX. The event lasts from 6pm to Midnight.
More information about the event can be found on the Event's Facebook Page. The group says donations are welcome at the Fund the Farmers to help support the crash victims and their families.
After the interview the Swindler's gave us a sneak performance. You can watch the entire clip on the KTAB 4u Facebook Page.
Related Links:
Local Businesses to Donate Percentage of Proceeds to Bus Crash Victims
UPDATE: 2 More ACU Students Released from Hospitals
'Anabel Reid - Celebration of Life'
