When Ricky Young and Eddie Nelson helped to start the Sunshine State Bluegrass Association in April they also made a goal to help others through music.
“If we can play music and help someone, it’s a win-win,” Young said.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, the association will be hosting four bands at Shiloh Baptist Church as part of a benefit for Lisa Brown and her 12-year-old daughter, Haley Brown. The single mother and daughter fell on tough times in September, when Haley was diagnosed with the heart condition paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
Because Lisa Brown had to take time off to care for Haley she lost both of her jobs prior to Haley’s heart surgery. As Haley recovers, Lisa Brown continues to look for a new home for her and her daughter.
After hearing Brown’s story, Young was reminded of a viral video he saw online. In the video, a young boy wore a garbage bag as a replacement for a jacket in cold weather. For four hours, people walked by the boy without stopping. The only person to stop and give the child his jacket was a homeless man.
“It’s a shame that four hours went by and nobody offered them any help,” Young said. He then related the video back to Brown’s situation. “We’re no different if we read about it and don’t try to help her.”
The upcoming benefit for the Brown family is the second major fundraiser that the association has sponsored. Sunshine State Bluegrass held a fundraiser for the youth group at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church, where Nelson attends. The association raised $1,500 for the youth program.
“We helped them quite a bit, doing that,” Nelson said. “It was very successful.”
Young and Nelson are hoping for another successful fundraiser at the Nov. 8 event. Four bands that are part of the association have already agreed to play gospel music, including Sawgrass Band, the Austin Wilder Band, Trust in Him and Sassafras Acoustic Bluegrass Music. Pastor Joe Bowles, of Shiloh Baptist Church, will be leading the benefit service.
“There’s a lot of good people out there that can and will help people,” Nelson said. “It can happen to a lot of people. It’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up.”
The public is invited to attend the event. There is no cost, but a love offering will be taken up for the family. All proceeds from the event will go to the Browns.
“The more (people) who attend, the more we can help,” Nelson said. “Hopefully people give — that’s the biggest thing.”
“We would like to pack the church,” Young added. “I think the church holds about 1,500 people. Every penny will go to Lisa and her daughter.”
The Sunshine State Bluegrass Association, which has about 100 members, is made up of bluegrass and gospel musicians from Florida. Nelson and Young serve as two of the association’s 10 directors. About half of the association’s members are from Plant City, with others coming to jam sessions and events from St. Petersburg, Orlando and Englewood.
The association plays at Krazy Kup the first Saturday of every month, and at First Choice Southern Bar-B-Que on the third Saturday of each month.
In the future, the association hopes to have their own location. It also wants to continue helping youth and churches.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Benefit Concert for Lisa and Haley Brown
WHEN: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
WHERE: Shiloh Baptist Church, 905 Terrace Drive
BANDS: Trust in Him, Sawgrass, Sassafras and The Austin Wilder Band
COST: Free; a love offering will be taken up, with all proceeds going toward the Brown family.
CONTACT: Sunshine State Bluegrass Association, sunshinestatebluegrass@gmail.com