Ian Lane & Southern Flavor at the Alby Lopez benefit show – photo © Bill Warren
This past Saturday the Florida bluegrass community came together in a BIG way.
The story starts several months ago. Mandolin player, Alby Lopez, was badly burned in a grill explosion. His right arm took the brunt of the burns. He has been slowly healing. He now has feeling in in his arm to just above the elbow. He told me the doctor has said that it will probably be another six months before he is back to “normal”.
Alby plays in the Keith Bass and Florida Bluegrass Express Band. Early on Keith and his wife Darlene approached Alby with the idea of doing a benefit. Alby told me he agreed because he thought it would be a small gathering somewhere and a chance to enjoy some music. Darlene took the bull by the horns!
One of the hard parts was finding a venue that would host the event. The owners of Craig’s RV Park in Arcadia stepped up and agreed to host the benefit for free. Step one down. She then recruited five local bands to play. They are all friends with Alby and donated their time.
Then it was on to the fund-raising portion. Bluegrass promoters Ernie Evans and Danny Stewart stepped up with generous festival ticket packages. Local businesses and individuals donated everything from fishing trips to homemade pies. All sorts of volunteers stepped up to help. BBQ dinners were available. Darlene deserves kudos for the whole endeavor.
The first band up was James Rogers and the Wilson Brothers. J.R. Davis joined James for a song.
Highway 41 South followed. J.R. Davis stepped in as guitar player David Beamont had a flat on the way to the show. He made it in time to play part of the set.
Ian Lane & Southern Flavor was up next. Ian is a youngster that has been playing fiddle for about five years. Remember his name.
C.J. McClellan brought Rekindled Bits of Grass to the show. The do a mix of gospel and Stanley-flavored music.
Keith Bass and the Florida Bluegrass Express closed out the day.
Darlene introduced Alby and his family to the audience. Anyone who knows Alby knows that he loves to talk. Darlene announced that around $15,000 had been raised, and then handed the mic to Alby. Overwhelmed by the whole day he managed a “thank you” through the emotional tears. He did join the band and sing a song. He has the powerful style of Dave Evans.
He and I had a quick visit as people were leaving. He said, “You know me, but there are just no words to describe today.”
We all can hardly wait for the day that Alby is back on stage and picking with the band.
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