Contact: Sharon Fisher
March 21, 2008

Benefit Concert set to provide relief from aftermath of the Big Stone Gap Tornado

The public is invited to join neighbors, families and friends on the Mountain Empire Community College campus on Friday, March 28 at 7:00 pm at a Benefit Concert to raise funds for those directly affected by the destruction of the tornado that hit Big Stone Gap on March 4.

The Concert will present a wide selection of talented performers who are donating their time to this community effort. Featured on stage will be the progressive styling of The Midnight Ramblers, one of the hottest young Bluegrass bands today; MECC's guitarist Richard Phillips, bass player Jeff Burleson and guitarist/singer Kayla Meade; Carter Family member and talented singer Dale Jett, with Teresa Jett on bass along with master musician/singer Oscar Harris; Kaitlyn Baker, the extraordinarily gifted 13-year old singer from Pound; the old-time gospel group, Longing for Home, representing the West End Baptist Church and Durham's Chapel; old-time music at its best, Boozy Creek Stringband from Scott County, and The United Methodist Church Choir under the direction of Dr. David Volk.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free admission for children 12 and under. Those directly affected by the tornado can pick up a free pass to the concert at the Big Stone Gap Tourist & Information Center. There will be no advance ticket sales.

Donations are being collected and distributed by The Gap Partnership. Checks can be made payable to “Gap Partnership Tornado Relief Fund.” The mailing address for donations is: The Gap Partnership, P.O. Box 236, Big Stone Gap VA 24219, or they can be dropped off at the Big Stone Gap Tourist & Information Center. Donations will also be accepted on the night of the concert. One hundred percent of the donations will go to those affected by the tornado.

The Concert is being sponsored by Mountain Empire Community College and The Gap Partnership.  Underwriters are the Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, the Wellmont Health System, Wachovia Bank, State Farm Insurance, and Quesenberry’s Inc.

Co-sponsors for the Concert include the Big Stone Gap Food Bank, Big Stone Gap Ministerial Association, Big Stone Gap Presbyterian Women, Big Stone Gap Rescue Squad, The Cornerstone House of Prayer, The Crooked Road,  Disabled American Veterans Chapter 45, Dogwood Garden Club, Eastern Star Chapter 157, First Christian Church, Galloway’s Rentals & Mobile Home Moving, Intermont Garden Club, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Powell Valley Shrine Club, Rural Areas Development Association, Inc., Southwest Virginia Museum, Town of Big Stone Gap, Trinity United Methodist Church, Valley Garden Club, Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy, Wallens Ridge State Prison, Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital Auxiliary, and Wise County.

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