On December 14, 2012 Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and brutally murdered twenty children and six adults before killing himself. Almost a month later ripples of the horrendous tragedy still echo through the world.
January 6, 2013 former Las Vegas entertainer Brody Dolyniuk teamed up with the Greg Maddux foundation and Station Casinos to have a benefit concert called “Our Town for Newtown.”
Brody who lives in Southern California now, drove up to Las Vegas to put this massive 4 + hour concert together. Names like Elisa Furr from iCandy, Lorena Peril from Fantasy the show, Bella Electric Strings from America’s Got Talent, Michelle Johnson from the Platters, Paul Shortino from Quiet Riot and King Kobra, Baseball legend Greg Maddux, and so many more showed up to support this wonderful cause.
Many performers were personally touched by Newtown, Connecticut. One person I spoke with said an entertainer in Las Vegas is from Newtown, while another told me they had friends and family that lived there. Lon Bronson from the Lon Bronson All Stars was wearing a shirt to support Newton. Lon explained his Webmaster was an actual resident of Newton and they created the t-shirts to help. (www.wearnewton.org)
Lorena Peril-Narbaitz and husband Ray Jon performed a very touching number. As Lorena’s angelic voice finished off her song, I noticed many people trying to wipe their tears away discretely during the standing ovation.
The Las Vegas Tenors went a different route singing a more patriotic song. The crowd was entranced with their harmony and sitting upright with pride. Though the tear-jerker of the night was when Michele Johnson walked on stage with Brody and 26 children from the Hi-Def Dance Academy.
Each one of these little angels represented one of the fallen victims from Sandy Hook Elementary. They were not here to dance, but to sing. Dressed in simple white t-shirts that read, “Imagine”. As the Hi-Def children’s choir sang it brought tears to many. I for one had to step outside to regain my composure. When the children were done, they received one of the most enthusiastic standing ovations I have ever seen.
Strapped with an acoustic guitar, legendary singer from Quiet Riot and King Kobra, Paul Shortino took the stage by himself. The room was silent, as Paul’s powerful voice rang out with the song Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
A local eighties tribute band called the Spazmatic’s lightened the mood of the room with their fun rendition of Kids of America. The guitarist from Faster Pussycat, Brent Muscat, joined the Spazmatic’s antics.
There were so many other acts including Brody’s Led Zepplin Tribute Band and Yellow Brick Road that closed out the night. It was truly an amazing evening. Las Vegas’ Entertainers not only gave their voices to this wonderful event, but their souls as well. It seemed that everyone who performed was giving it all they had.
The evening ended with all the entertainers on the stage singing Let It Be by the Beetles to a standing audience who swayed and sang along. What a powerful ending to a very emotional day!
While the singers gave all they could, it would seem that the packed house gave all they could. Brody and the Greg Maddux Foundation raised over $7,000 at last count to send to Sandy Hook Elementary.
That isn’t all, Brody is heading back home to Southern California to have another benefit concert. For more information on that concert:
What: Our Town For Newtown – A concert for Sandy Hook Elementary
When: Jan. 20, 2013
5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Where: Grove of Anaheim
2200 E. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, California
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