Local Woman Organizes Wright Disaster Relief Benefit Concert
August 23, 2005 - Pioneer League (PL)
Casper Ghosts News Release
Jennifer Ramirez only has a few acquaintances in Wright. But, the devastating tornado there August 12 moved her to want to do something - anything - to help.
"My husband John and I were traveling back from Fort Collins, Colorado that weekend and we stopped in Cheyenne to buy a newspaper," Ramirez said. "We read about the devastation and how it affected so many children. During the drive from Cheyenne to Casper we decided to do something to help."
The help the Ramirez's came up with on the drive home was to organize a free benefit concert with proceeds going directly to the Town of Wright for disaster relief. Since John is the lead singer and guitarist for the popular local band The Eli Manor Band, both Jennifer and John began making calls to other Casper bands to see if they would donate their time and talent, free-of-charge, to play in a benefit concert.
"Every band I talked to, if they weren't already booked, agreed right away to play for free," John said.
Local bands 3 Chord Max, The Tremors, JD Blues Band, The Ky Stanley Band and, of course, The Eli Manor Band have all agreed to play at the benefit concert slated for Saturday, September 3.
The next step was to find a venue.
"That's when the Casper Rockies saved the day," Jennifer said.
Casper Rockies General Manager Danny Tetzlaff made an offer the Ramirez's couldn't refuse. Tetzlaff offered to open Mike Lansing Field and the Rockies' concession stand early on Saturday September 3 and host the bands under the picnic tent located next to the Rockies dugout.
"Even before Jennifer called us, we had been talking about doing something for the people of Wright," Tetzlaff said. "Plus, we have been wanting to have live music in conjunction with a game, so this idea just made sense for us."
One meeting later the concept was hatched. The benefit concert would be held at Mike Lansing Field in conjunction with the Casper Rockies baseball game against the Idaho Falls Chukars that night. The game is the last Saturday home game for the Rockies as they make their final push for the playoffs. The first band will hit the stage at 2:00 p.m. with the other bands following up until game time. The bands will take a break for the game, then The Eli Manor Band will play their set immediately following the game's final out.
"Everybody in Wyoming is invited to the concert and whoever comes before 6:00 p.m. to see the bands will get a free ticket to the ball game," Tetzlaff said. "At 6:00 p.m. we'll close the gates and sell tickets to the game. So it makes sense to get down to the field early to listen to the great music, eat some food, drink some beer, let the kids play in the grass, enjoy the game, then stick around for The Eli Manor Band after the game."
Needless to say, Tetzlaff is encouraging all attendees to donate generously to the Wright Disaster Relief Fund, which will have a table set up at the event and during the baseball game.
"I hope most people will donate at least what they would have paid for their game tickets," Tetzlaff said.
Jennifer said the Mayor of Wright has been invited to the benefit so she and John can present him with the money raised directly.
"This is a disaster that hit very close to home," Jennifer said. "We are their neighbors. Wyomingites help each other. It's the least we could do."
To donate to the Wright Disaster Relief Benefit Concert or to volunteer to help on the day of the event, contact Jennifer Ramirez at 232-8203, 277-2674 or 267-2812.
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Who: Jennifer & John Ramirez; Danny Tetzlaff, Casper Rockies; Eli Manor Band;
3 Chord Max band; The Tremors band; JD Blues Band; The citizens of Wright
What: Wright Disaster Relief Benefit Concert in conjunction with Casper Rockies baseball game.
When: Saturday September 3, 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., then game beginning at 7:00 p.m., then Eli Manor Band immediately following Rockies game (Approximately 10:00 p.m.)
Where: Mike Lansing Field picnic tent and surrounding area.
Why: To raise disaster relief money to donate to the Town of Wright.
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Pioneer League Stories from August 23, 2005
- Brewers punish mistake-prone Rockies - Casper Ghosts
- Local Woman Organizes Wright Disaster Relief Benefit Concert - Casper Ghosts
- Phil Davidson named Pioneer League pitcher of the week - Idaho Falls Chukars
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