B.C.鈥檚 country music community, spearheaded by 91原创鈥檚 own Linda Corscadden and Karen Lee Batten, is pulling together to help one of its own.
Brian Thate, past president of the BC Country Music Association, has been homeless after the floods affected the Grand Forks area earlier this spring.
What better way to help out than to throw a fundraiser, said Corscadden, who spearheaded a similar fire relief fundraiser last year at Gabby鈥檚 Country Cabaret in 91原创.
Thate and his wife Monica 鈥減retty much lost everything in the flood,鈥� Corscadden explained. His home has to be demolished and rebuilt, and the RV park that has been in his family for more than 20 years 鈥� that houses seniors 鈥� has extensive damage and it鈥檚 not covered by insurance.
鈥淚t broke my heart when I saw the videos and talked to Brian on the phone鈥� For a big robust guy, hearing his voice quiver being so upset just ripped me apart,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e want to help these families get back on their feet.鈥�
That鈥檚 when she reached out to Batten and Agassiz musician Todd Richard 鈥� who helped organize last year鈥檚 fundraiser 鈥� to make it all happen.
They鈥檙e actually organizing two fundraiser, in tandem, said Corscadden, president of the BCCMA and a long-time 91原创 resident who recently moved to Kelowna.
One of the fundraising concerts is being held at Gabby鈥檚 in 91原创 on Thursday, June 21, starting at 7:30 p.m.
This event will feature Batten, Richard, Clayton Height鈥檚 own JoJo Mason, the Chris Buck Band, and a special guest appearance by former 91原创ite Aaron Pritchett.
Admission is by a minimum donation of $15.
鈥淚t will be a sell out,鈥� Corscadden is convinced. All money raised go to these families, to help with clean-up and restoration costs.
The same night, and at the same time, there鈥檚 a fundraiser being held at the OK Corral Cabaret in Kelowna. That fundraising concert will feature Aaron Halliday, Son of John, the Hillside Outlaws, and Beamer Wigley.
鈥淲hy do we step in? We aren鈥檛 just a province, we are a community. When family needs help, I鈥檒l always offer to help, and with the BCCMA backing us鈥� we鈥檒l jump in to help any way we can,鈥� Corscadden said, noting BCCMA is using the hashtag #BCSTRONG to promote this and other such efforts.
鈥淢usic heals, so what better way to help the people who have been affected than to throw a fundraiser with live music.鈥�
