Station Benefit Concert Info...Feb 25th.

[Kenny Atkinson]

I recieved this bulliten on my MYSPACE page.I ask because of the importance of this event that Moderators do not erase.It is sort of off topic but it is the fifth anniverasy and the media in Rhode Island was involved and settled for over 50 million dollars.

I am sure www.stationfamilyfund.org would appreciate the free publicity and you are thanked in advance.

This is what I recieved....

One tragic event, innumerable tragic offshoots. When Rhode Island’s Station nightclub burned to the ground on February 20, 2003, 100 rock fans died and 200 were injured - many of them dreadfully so. It’s been five years since the infamous blaze took place, and lots of lives still need help being rebuilt. Though some compensations have been issued, the whopping medical bills and daunting personal struggles are crippling for many of those who went out to see Great White perform in the tiny club on that frigid night. Those facts are the reason that an array of artists from both the rock and country camps have chosen to participate in “Phoenix Rising! Musicians United To Benefit the Victims of the Station Nightclub Fire.” VH1 is making a concert special from the evening’s performances.

On February 25, in Providence, Rhode Island, John Rich of Big & Rich, and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, host a multi-artist concert bash to raise money for the Station Family Fund which was founded by survivors to provide treatment and rehabilitation relief. Gretchen Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Alabama’s Randy Owen, Kellie Pickler will represent the country side of the fence. Staind’s Aaron Lewis, Tesla, Winger, Boston’s Tom Scholz and Gary Pihl, Kevin Max, Carmine Appice’s SLAM, and Stryper will join Snider and the Twisted Sister crew. The goal is to honor the anniversary of those lost, and make life a bit easier for those still recovering. Tickets are available through Ticket Master.

On Sunday, March 23, VH1 Classic and VH1 will air Aftermath: The Station Fire Five Years Later, a one-hour special of show highlights.

Ticket Contacts: Dunkin’ Donuts Center 401-331-0700 or www.dunkindonutcenter.com

 

[JointChinese]

Enough is enough! LOOK, we all agree the Station Nightclub fire was horrific. We all know people who died there. It was a very BAD disaster. NOW, with that said. How many millions must we donate to these families? The foam company paid millions, Clear Channel paid millions, inurance companies have paid millions. People have donated millions. Now we have a concert five years later to put more money in the pockets of the survivors. When is enough, enough?

 

[and.u.r?]

Has anyone ever really given an accounting as to how the money is distributed among survivors and families and how much has been distributed so far?
And I don't get this line up in terms of luring an audience in.Where did all these country acts come from and why are they involved?Are they the kind of acts that would play well with a rock crowd?I'm familiar with Big And Rich only because of the Chevy commercials and they seem country rock.

 

[Carry]

Enough is enough! LOOK, we all agree the Station Nightclub fire was horrific. We all know people who died there. It was a very BAD disaster. NOW, with that said. How many millions must we donate to these families? The foam company paid millions, Clear Channel paid millions, inurance companies have paid millions. People have donated millions. Now we have a concert five years later to put more money in the pockets of the survivors. When is enough, enough?

When the dead people come back and the burn injuries disappear......... do you really think they have recieved " millions" at this point? These survivors have on going medical expenses, orphaned children to raise and educate, clothe, and feed. Do I have to go on? It will take time for the money to funnel through to the families. When they wake up each day and remember that the loved one is GONE and won't be back, enough isn't in the equation. Shame on you!

 

[necrat123]

What is a real shame is the cut the Lawyers are probably getting? Someone say 50%?
70%?

 

[jeffryan]

When the dead people come back and the burn injuries disappear......... do you really think they have recieved " millions" at this point? These survivors have on going medical expenses, orphaned children to raise and educate, clothe, and feed. Do I have to go on? It will take time for the money to funnel through to the families. When they wake up each day and remember that the loved one is GONE and won't be back, enough isn't in the equation. Shame on you!

I agree with the original poster. These benefit shows and all the residual lawsuits are overkill at this point. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine that with all the money raised in the last 4 years, everyone should be well taken care of.

I think it's great that people continue to be charitable and I would never dissuade someone from giving money. I think it's incredible how people have opened their hearts, and continue to do so. However, what really bugs me are victims that feel, even after all that's been done for them, that they're entitled to a handout because they went through a horrible tragedy. Most people aren't like that, but there are some.

Of course the best thing to do is to PLAN. Buy life insurance to provide for your family. Should you suddenly and unexpectedly lose your life, your family will be protected and not have to worry how to make the mortgage payment. $35 a month can buy $500,000 of 20 year level term life insurance on average. Anyone who has kids or a spouse that depends on their income is downright irresponsible if they have no life insurance, let alone health insurance. Learn from someone else's mistake.

 

[wknd92]

Of course the best thing to do is to PLAN. Buy life insurance to provide for your family. Should you suddenly and unexpectedly lose your life, your family will be protected and not have to worry how to make the mortgage payment. $35 a month can buy $500,000 of 20 year level term life insurance on average. Anyone who has kids or a spouse that depends on their income is downright irresponsible if they have no life insurance, let alone health insurance. Learn from someone else's mistake.

Jeff...all I have to say is AMEN! If people would take some responsibility for those that may be left behind (whether it is tonight, next week, next year, 40 years from now, etc), do yourself a favor and get some insurance...a little out of your pocket at this point is a lot better than them having to scramble and figure out what they are going to do when it probably really won't be a good time for that in the future....

 

[aqualung]

I don't feel qualified to say some of the victims should have planned. Younger people don't foresee this kind of thing happening in their families. I know I don't. I think what's happening is that it's been five years and people still feel the pain but the time has passed for anyone that wasn't involved or responsible in some way to just keep feeling it. If you check Scarpetti's page on the HJY website he seems genuinely ticked that people aren't snapping up tickets. He's pissed at Bon Jovi and Def Leppard for not agreeing to appear. Also at Hannah Montana selling out but not this. That's fine but I think the station has to realize everyone doesn't live in a rock'n'roll radio world. I'm single but a lot of people are married with families, bills, etc and there's more going on in their lives than their next concert. It's not something they dwell on. They don't spend 5 nights a week in the clubs and only worry about where their next beer is coming from. Everything isn't about rock and people aren't shirking any duties for not going to the concert. HJY is an irreverent station which I can understand. In fact any time a celebrity dies you can count on him being mocked in some way the following morning on the Paul and Al show. Then there's the other side of the coin when it's something that hits close to home for them and it isn't always convincing. I dont doubt they care about it but they have a distorted view of what life for the rest of the world is like. I think people should give if they want and go to the concert if they want but don't come across like it's everyone's responsiblity to keep the memory alive.

 

[Seekonk Sally]

Please don't question Scarpetti's sincerity, he was at the Station fire with Dr. Metal. He spent a lot of time during that fire searching for the missing Doctor. He was with him one minute, then gone the next. He apparently went back inside to save a woman he was with.This concert means more to him than anyone reading these posts can even fathom. It's easy to talk about how life insurance could have helped financially, but money doesn't replace someone's Father/Mother or child. Noone can plan on that.

 

[JohnnyHeadphones]

Enough is not enough. Don't be heartless people.

These people continue to suffer in many ways even 5 years later, especially financially.
I'd like to give you all some straight facts if I may

There was no government assistance given to ANY of these survivors or familes of the victims. It was the 4th largest fire tragedy in the history of this country. But the government gave NO aid financially.

Many of these victims were blue-collar people, probably like most of you, getting by from paycheck to paycheck. They didnt' have huge insurance plans or savings to fall back on. And in many cases people lost their spouses and family members who accounted for half or more of their income. Others lost their ability to work because of disabling injuries that will be life long. People who were making $35,000 a year are now forced to go work for $10 an hour somewhere if they can work at all. Some of these injuries were blindness, loss of hearing, loss of limbs, 4th degree burns (I never knew there was a 4th degree burn until this fire). And no insurance plans will cover them after the fact. They've all had to rely on handouts and charity, to do simple things like pay rent/morgage, car payments, school clothes, etc. The Station Family Fund and those who support them are primarily responsibly for helping these people keep the lives they've built for themselves but the money is gone now because many, like those who have posted on this board, think that time has made everything better. It hasn't.

The millions of millions of dollars you read about from settlements has not been distributed to anyway yet. They are all offers and are awaiting approval by a judge and lawyers and arbitraitors. And when that long process finishes, the first ones to get paid will be the lawyers, the insurance companies, the funeral homes, the doctors, etc. It's estimated that 75% of the money that will be rewarded won't even be going to victims or anyone who had anything to do with this tragedy. What's leftover will be distributed to over 250 people, mostly Rhode Islanders, who were injured, many with literally millions of dollars in medical bills (no BS). And this isn't to mention the money that will be rewarded to families who had loved ones die in the fire.

Essentially I'm trying to nicely say, that don't be fooled, and don't be ignorant to the fact that there are many people, your neighbors, who still need your support. Now I ask you , honestly, is a $10 ticket to a concert of many talented musicians volunteering their time, too much for you to give? Do you honestly think that so many people would work so hard to put together such an elaborate fund raiser if all these people were fine financially or about to become millionaires?

www.ticketmaster.com -- they've actually had to lower ticket prices to $10.00 because of lack of support. Please help, this is probably the last chance these people are going to have to get help and it's a shame that musicians and organizers from outside of Rhode Island are the ones who are making this happen.

 

[wknd92]

Enough is not enough. Don't be heartless people.

These people continue to suffer in many ways even 5 years later, especially financially.
I'd like to give you all some straight facts if I may

There was no government assistance given to ANY of these survivors or familes of the victims. It was the 4th largest fire tragedy in the history of this country. But the government gave NO aid financially.

Johnny, there shouldn't be any government help at all, other than what these survivors might qualify for thru Social Security Disability benefits. I'm not talking huge insurance, some insurance-any insurance would be better, whether they are 18 years old or 45 years old. Just because they made 35k is no excuse for not thinking about it-that is a straight fact. I agree it is not a fix-all and cannot replace a loved one; but it also will help in not leaving spouses and children financially devastated in the wake of an accident.

I HATE the response to whatever may come down the pike- "where's the government to help!?!" We have to stop thinking like this, no one is ENTITLED to help from the government if there is a fire, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, etc unless it is for the emergency services that the governement provides.

I lost a childhood friend in Mike G-Dr. Metal. I've known his family for over 35 years, my mother is very good friends w/ his mother and was over at their house within 5 minutes of finding out the horrific story the next morning (5 years from tomorrow). I pulled my car over to the side of Rt 146 during the middle of the press conference at 8:30 the next morning when it was mentioned that "The Dr." was missing...I knew at that point that one of the people I looked up to when I got started in the industry was gone. It is pain I feel every time I am on Bald Hill Rd, every year leading up to this date or just think of him with his records in his parent's basement....I feel for all of the victims and survivors, deeply. I was lucky to have an acquaintance escape the fire, or else I'd be mourning 2 people close to me today and tomorrow. My thoughts and prayers will be with them.

 

[jeffryan]

Enough is not enough. Don't be heartless people.

I don't think there's a single person on this board that's been heartless. Everyone has been effected by the fire, and I'm sure everyone has made a contribution in one form or another. The fact that none of the donations have been handed out is FURTHER evidence why these shows are overkill. Even if the show sells out, then what? All the funds continue to sit in escrow? What good does that do for the people who need it? It's like constantly pimping out a car where the engine doesn't work. What's the point?

If you directly know someone effected by the fire, why not help them directly? No judges, no lawyers, just you and them. This makes much more sense to me. 100% of whatever you have to offer is better than 25% any day.

In the meantime, if you have a family, avoid this nightmare in your own life and buy insurance. Life, health, homeowners, and long term disability. It's dirt cheap and unless you want to rely on the government in your time of need (which has been well known to come to the aid of it's citizens... i.e. Hurricane Katrina), buy some. Encouraging personal responsibility, teaching people to help themselves... that's compassion.

(And I don't even sell the stuff...)

 

[JohnnyHeadphones]

All money raised from this benefit concert as well as any other benefits organized by the StationFamilyFund go directly to the victims and family members of victims of the Station Fire. It does not sit in escrow it is distributed upon request and the funds are nearly depleated. It is the only fund set up to help these people pay for their daily, weekly, and monthly needs.

I have helped those I've known personally. And I have always tried to support the people I don't know as well. But there's only so much one person can do. So I type on this board in their defense hoping to open someone else's eyes and heart (while ignoring those who just like to piss serious off by making rude comments anonymously.)

These people didn't have insurance they don't deserve any more help? You already went to a concert 3 years ago for the SFF so they don't need any more help? Are these the excuses I'm hearing from all of you?

Do any of u have any idea how much it costs to spend one day in intensive care? How regular visits to burn clinics? Or even something like fresh bandages 3 times a day for 3 years? Even people with insurance can't afford the co-pays.

Some of you people are being heartless. I'm telling you the facts and your disputing them with speculation that these people should have had insurance or been prepared and they don't deserve government aid. You all probably did help at one time, but the help is still needed. This is my message to you all. Tickets to see all these acts and help all these people are as little as $10. Buy a ticket and throw it away if you don't care about any of the artists.

 

[Moonstruck]

From the point of view of who would go to this concert it's obviously an HJY crowd so there's a lot of promotion on the station's website. Also on WCTK's with the country acts. Did it ever occur to the geniuses on Oxford to put links on their other stations' sites? There's something on HJJ in the form of a news story but nothing for Coast or B101. Even given who the concert itself might appeal to that cluster could get everyone on the same page with a link at least to the fund itself. Also even though there's enough on TV and in print about the anniversary I don't see any other stations in the market doing anything to at least mention the need for the money online if not the concert. By the way ZLX in Boston is giving away tickets.

 

[JohnnyHeadphones]

I have heard the concert promoted on WSNE as a jock read - but there really isn't any artist from their format at the concert. The goal of this concert is also to stop making this a 'hair band' tragedy or a 'Heavy Metal' tragedy. It happened at a Great White concert but there are dangerous clubs all over the country with all sorts of genres. So the introduction of country artists helps expose this more as a music thing and hopefully just a person thing. ANd it would be nice if people in power would see this and include links on all their websites.

ALso the ROCKLINE program which airs on WZLX in Boston will be rebroadcasting the concert nation wide on Monday and Wednesday night. But it would be nice if all stations locally, not just rock and country, would help promote this more.

FYI the country artist John Rich of Big & Rich who is performing - personally rented a plane to fly in all of the country acts that he personally booked. I find this to be a very cool thing to do. Especially when you consider all the music artists and celebs from the local area who have done nothing. Where is Aerosmith, Godsmack, Extreme? How about actors like James Woods or Ben Affleck. I mean Boston is right down the road and most of these people have one time or another been to RI and spent time here. ANd what about the sports figures too.... its a shame we had to go out of New England to find this kind of support.

Id also like to thank those reading who have helped spread the word on this concert and who have bought tickets. Thank You.