The Raven Drum Foundation’s Second Annual Benefit Concert brought a star-studded list of rock icons onto The Cutting Room’s stage in support of the non-profit Friends of Firefighters in an unforgettable night of community, rock icons, and music for good.
Created in 2001 by co-founders Rick Allen of Def Leppard and musician and healing arts educator Lauren Monroe, Raven Drum Foundation has been bringing community and healing to first responders dealing with PTSD for over two decades now through musical events, drum circles, and guided meditation.
Raven Drum’s mission wields the transcendent power of music and the community it brings to offer solace, support, and healing to those who brave extreme conditions for the greater good, so it’s no wonder why for their second annual Benefit Concert, Raven Drum Foundation partnered with the Friends of Firefighters non-profit along with several drumming and rock legends for an unforgettable night of music for a greater cause.
Hosted in the walls of the iconic Cutting Room, audience members dressed in everything from band tees to velvet pumps filed through the doors and floated about the tables in excitement.
The night not only promised an unforgettable lineup of unadulterated rock fun, it was also to feature a Legacy Award ceremony honoring Peter Criss of KISS fame- not to mention several raffles and auctions for all sorts of music and creative paraphernalia including but not limited to an exclusive painting by Mark Kostabi (the artist behind Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion I and II album covers), a set of customized guitars, and the opportunity to step on the stage that very night to play cowbell for one of two numbers.
Beyond the obvious sparkle of the things to come, by far the most exciting part of the evening was the knowledge that every dollar spent was making direct change for good- as explained by founder of Friends of Firefighters Nancy Carbone as she took the stage.
Created in response to the trauma that shook active and retired firefighters in the days following the events of September 11, 2001, Friends of Firefighters was on the ground providing meals, facilitating support at funerals and memorial services, and responding to requests from firefighters for mental health and wellness support.
Since those first few days, their resolve to offer holistic support for firefighters has not wavered- in fact, their operation has expanded considerably, offering entirely free counseling to active and retired firefighters and those impacted in their families as well.
With the resurgence of wildfires out west, funding for Friends of Firefighters whose homebase is in Brooklyn has understandably but regrettably become more precious- which is where Raven Drum and its unforgettable lineup of artists came into play, delivering a four hour star-studded musical extravaganza while raising thousands of dollars for the cause.
Opening performances featured co-founder Lauren Monroe, show-stealer and musician Carlton Jumel Smith, the Beehive Queen of SNL’s live band Christine Ohlman, and two of Joan Jett’s Blackhearts Ricky Byrd and Kasim Sulton among an impressive cycling roster of other vocalists and percussionists.
Other names that made appearances included Joe Bouchard’s band alongside Albert Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult Fame, R&B Legend Bernard Purdie, Corky Laing of Mountain, and the owner of The Cutting Room himself Steven Walter. Audience members (myself included) were left in total awe during renditions of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Mississippi Queen,” Mountain’s cover of “Like A Rolling Stone”, and “I Hate Myself for Loving You” featuring the voice of Devon Marie.
Conversations, good food, and even better music flowed throughout the evening, concluding in a performance of With A Little Help From My Friends with a stage almost overflowing with guitarists, vocalists, and drummers alike.
A success in every aspect of the word, Raven Drum Foundation’s Second Annual Benefit Concert was a testament to the same core concept that makes their organization move- music brings people together, and when pointed in the same direction those communities can enact incredible amounts of change in the world.
While the event itself has passed, its messaging and cause certainly has not- if anything, it is more important than ever to continue discussing and pushing the incredible work Friends of Firefighters has done and continues to do.
So, if you would like to be a part of the fun and the good, additional items reserved for online auction (available here) include but are not limited to one-of-a-kind paintings, autographed drums, and other various paraphernalia with all proceeds going to the cause.
And, as always, direct donations to Friends of Firefighters and the Raven Drum Foundation are available on their respective websites.
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