For One of Their Own

People step up for one of their own and the music community is no exception.

On a muggy summer afternoon in August with the temperature in the 100's and the streets feeling like a sauna, a downtown restaurant opened it's doors for a friend. Waitstaff and bartenders and cooks all gave up a precious Sunday afternoon off and donated their time, loyal customers each paid ten dollars at the door then bought tee shirts and raffle tickets and plastic bracelets. Musicians poured in, carrying guitar cases on their backs and lugging amplifiers and keyboards and electrical equipment in the blazing heat, all for an old friend and former bartender who's eight year old son was in a cancer ward in Memphis, all for one of their own.

There is, as my friend Blue says, a fellowship among musicians. If you are part of it, you give your time and talent freely when needed. You show up, and you play for free, trying to help offset the astronomical expenses of cancer treatment or long term illness, parking tickets or legal costs. Competition turns to compliments, friendly rivalry to harmony. Instruments and equipment are shared easily, one musician praises another, and all act together for the common cause - there is rock and blues and country, cover songs and originals - all played to a standing room only crowd.

In the long run, the money raised will probably only be a drop in the bucket but the efforts of those involved will be remembered. Friends, music, medicine and prayer are strong weapons.