Cabin Fever: In Which Music Heals
- Kris
- May 1, 2013
- 3 min read
It was a different life When we were boys and girls Not just a different time It was a different world
These are the words that filled the stadium as Bucky Covington sang them into the crowd who assembled at the Allegany Fairgrounds for the Cabin Fever Benefit this past weekend. While the song itself, "A Different World", explores what life was like ‘back in the good ol’ days’, it took on a special meaning with the context of the weekend – a benefit to raise money and awareness for the Tri-State Zoological Park, which suffered a huge loss when an electrical fire in 2006 destroyed their main building at the cost of many animals’ lives.
Their website lists the names of every animal they lost, and as Bucky sang about different worlds, time –past and future – was a theme weighing on everyone’s minds.
But the weekend wasn’t so much a simple memorial of the disaster as much as it was a celebration of what the zoo could be with some generous help. And music was at the top of the festivities.
For me, this meant getting some experience behind-the-scenes. As an all-access volunteer, I was given the opportunity to meet the musicians, including acoustic pop singer/songwriter, Ellie Flier, whose EPs I sold throughout the day. Her set included a few songs from her first EP Tapes and Letters, a preview of her upcoming EP Watch Us Run, and a beautiful tribute to Stevie Nick’s “Landslide.”
I got to know Ellie well while helping her out this weekend, and we spoke in depth about the musicians that inspired us as well as our personal interpretations of music and style. One of my favorite moments of the weekend was walking around the park, trailing after Ellie with her EPs, and watching her sing top 40 singles with the brave children who requested the songs. It was a wonderful moment watching a musician so relaxed (despite having to play a set later) and children so excited and willing to let music into their lives.
Ellie was only one of the musicians to open for Bucky Covington, and because of my given duties, I missed a lot of the other acts. But I did get to meet Bucky and his band in the VIP building. Because my good friend, Rachel (who helped put on the event with her family) had met the band previously, our interactions were very casual, though short.
All I will say is Harlem Shake.
More formally, I was given the opportunity to get Bucky’s autograph and a picture. The one I am posting was actually taken by Bucky’s brother, Rocky, who plays percussion in the band.
Sunday morning, I was included on a tour of the zoo, and I was completely blown away by the blatant love the owners and volunteers have for the animals. I was even more taken aback by how much work needed to be done to the facilities. During our tour, we were given the run-down of all the future and present plans for the zoo.
It was an honor to witness music being a vehicle for healing. I am hugely thankful for all the opportunities I was given this weekend, and completely moved by the generosity of everyone I met. I’m just glad I was able to help in some small ways.
For information about how you can help the Tri-State Zoological Park, please visit their website.
Edited April 2016 from a post published May 1, 2013 via Wordpress.
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