(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Community members gathered at Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant on Saturday, Feb. 15, for a benefit concert preformed by local artists to raise money for those impacted by the California wildfires.
The cold weather on Saturday did not stop people from going to the free event. Everyone warmed up pretty quickly from all the dancing. The idea for the benefit concert was Jason Lee’s, a U.S. Navy veteran who has always had a heart for giving back.
“We’re having so much fun, we just came to see the live music,” said Becky Lungren.
The vibes were electric, filled with dancing, music, beer and good food.
“Yeah, we came to check out some live music and have a good time,” said another group enjoying their Saturday.
Some were too shy to fully break out in dance, so they enjoyed the music with a subtle foot tap.
“Well, the blues band that just played was just awesome, and just you could not sit still,” said Holly Lungren, one of the people dancing.
All of the proceeds from the concert went directly to the Red Cross to show support for the wildfires in California.
The man behind the mic and the idea, Jason Lee, is the lead singer and guitarist of Jason Lee Rock and Roll. He said he found his soul through music.
“Music is life, it’s why our hearts have beats, we’re just out here having fun,” said Lee.
He said his love for rock and roll came when he was just five years old.
“Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Free Fallin’ cassette tape driving down the road with my dad, five years old. Ever since then, music, it just takes you on a journey and everybody’s got certain songs that they hear and you know exactly where you were the first time you heard that song, and it’s almost like you can relive some of those,” he said.
There were also performances from two additional local bands, English and Steven, and Randy Stephens and The Groove Makers.
“Honestly, it’s just like the ultimate expression for us as far as like talent and what we can do to like, try to make the world better, whether it’s relating with, you know, bad things or helping lift people up, forget things,” said Aaron Peeples, another local artist.
Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant is contributing to the cause by donating 15% of Saturday’s proceeds.
If you would like to show your support for the victims of the California wildfires, click here.
“It’s just a matter about getting people back in the comfort of their homes and rebuilding their lives, and we can rebuild. That’s what we do here in the Land of the Free, America. It’s great when we get knocked down, we get back up again and just keep getting up,” said Lee.
