Music inspired by the country’s Heartland, Austin and Memphis, and the high southwest will fill Leon Memorial Hall as Dana Cooper, Kelley Mickwee, and Don Richmond share their talents in a songwriter-in-the-round format to benefit the San Luis Valley Cancer Relief Fund on Saturday, February 14, at 7:30pm in Leon Hall on the Adams State University campus. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for 18 & younger and can be purchased at The Green Spot in Alamosa and The Windsor Hotel in Del Norte or by emailing wellspring@att.net.
In addition to an incredible night of music, the SLV Brewery will be sharing 50% of their wine and beer sales from February 14, 5:30 -7:30 pm with the CRF, and the Bistro Rialto is offering a free beverage on February 14 to those showing a concert ticket. Make it a date night and have dinner and a beverage before the show.
The late Tony Ross established the SLV Cancer Relief Fund in 2006 with the purpose of “lifting the spirits” of those dealing with cancer after he received emotional and monetary support during his treatment. The Fund continues to grow and assisted 94 patients in 2014, up from 59 in 2013. The annual Concert for Cancer Relief is its biggest fundraiser of the year. “The growth of the Fund in the past year is phenomenal. We all know and love someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. It’s not an easy journey and being able to give even this small stipend shows community support and good wishes”.
Dana Cooper grew up in the heartland of America, “the stomping grounds of Truman and Twain”, and his music reflects the poetry of his homeland and his travels. He began playing in local bands at the age of 12, writing songs at 13, and developing his solo career at 16. After touring the country and a lengthy stint in Texas, Cooper settled in Nashville becoming an integral figure in Nashville’s songwriting community. Cooper is known as a virtuoso on guitar and harmonica. He has released 20 solo albums, won numerous awards, and continues to tour the US and Europe making new fans wherever he goes.
Originally from Memphis, Kelley Mickwee is best-known for her work in the Texas-based, all-female band the Trishas and the Memphis-based Americana duo, Jed and Kelley. As Mickwee states, starting her solo career was a matter of survival, but she has taken to songwriting and solo performances like an old pro. Accompanied by her solid and creative guitar and mandolin work, her vocals are gritty and soulful.
Alamosa’s own Don Richmond has been playing music for more than 40 years and has been described as a “musician’s musician” and as “practically peerless as a picker, singer, producer, and arranger”. Richmond is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who plays just about anything with strings and because of this, is often in demand to accompany musicians traveling through the southern Colorado, northern New Mexico area, including the likes of Eliza Gilkyson, Susan Gibson, Chuck Pyle, Trout Fishing in America, Bob Livingston, and Tish Hinojosa. Richmond has become a staple of the annual concert having been through the cancer journey himself. “I received incredible community support when I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. It meant so much to me and I really think it helped me get better.” Because of that, Richmond is committed to giving back.
McCartney states that “all of the money stays right here in the Valley going directly to cancer patients. The Fund acts as a channel raising money from those who can give and dispersing it to those in need. Even a small gift can help people know others are thinking of them and they are not alone.”
The SLVCRF is a totally volunteer organization with a small board of dedicated individuals who have been touched by cancer and want to help others in that journey. The bulk of funds raised comes from individual memberships and fundraisers like the Concert for Cancer Relief and the Memories and Reflections evening in December. Individuals wishing to become members or businesses wishing to sponsor the concert should visit slvcrf.org or contact McCartney at wellspring@att.net or send a check to the San Luis Valley Cancer Relief Fund, PO Box 1297, Alamosa, CO, 81101.
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