Concert to benefit Feed the County
By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — It’s been months in the making and it looks like it’s going to happen.
Country music greats Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Canadian band Neon Highway are committed to appear for the “Feed the County” benefit concert at Spud Speedway in Caribou on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Despite the tragic news of Neon Highway’s lead bass player, Pete King’s untimely death, “Feed the County” will continue as planned at Spud Speedway. King died in a motorcycle collision following the band’s opening for Toby Keith on July 11, at Moncton, N.B.
For the past eight years, “Feed the County,” has been a campaign spearheaded by Aroostook Savings and Loan and WAGM-TV8 to promote hunger awareness in northern Maine. “Feed the County” accepts non-perishable food items and assists with the purchase of food on behalf of Catholic Charities for their 24 food pantries from St. Francis to Wytopitlock.
The Xtreme Muzik Tour, reuniting Wilson with former tour partners and duo John Rich and Big Kenny Alphin, has added Caribou’s Spud Speedway to its list of stops this summer thanks to the efforts of John Swanberg, president of Aroostook Savings and Loan, who wanted to do something big to celebrate the bank’s 75th anniversary and benefit a local charity at the same time.
The appearance of these performers has caused a ripple of excitement throughout the community. “For a fairly small community bank, this is a huge undertaking,” explained Swanberg. “ It’s a great way to raise money for a wonderful cause that is really struggling. Our goal is to raise $75,000 for our food pantries. Music fans know the magnitude of this appearance and we are hopeful we’ll reach our goal,” he added.
This is the first time Big & Rich have toured in three years as they went on hiatus during Alphin’s recovery from a longtime neck injury. The duo has released three albums with hit songs “Lost in this Moment,” “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy,” “Comin’ to Your City,” “Wild West Show,” “Holy Water” and “Never Mind Me.” Wilson won a Grammy award for “Redneck Woman” and has four albums with five total top-10 singles to her credit including “Here for the Party,” “When I Think About Cheatin’,” “Homewrecker” and “All Jacked Up.”
Also appearing at “Feed the County” on Aug. 20, are local musical talents including the Kelly Parker Band. Kelly Parker is a local girl who grew up in Washburn and went south to chase her dreams. An energetic and fresh face who is edgy and at the top of her game, Parker has fronted various New England acts as Black Pearl, The Cross Country Band (featuring David Malachowski former band leader and lead guitarist of Shania Twain) and now the Kelly Parker Band.
Tickets for the Aug. 20 show can be purchased online at www.spud-speedway.com; at Aroostook Savings and Loan branch locations in Caribou and Presque Isle, and at the Catholic Charities of Maine location on the Old Van Buren Road. Ticket prices are $54.50 in advance and $59.50 the day of the show.
Fans also have the opportunity to reserve campsites to enjoy an entire weekend of festivities at www.spud-speedway.com.
“The opportunity for an entire weekend of music by four headline bands, plus local talent, at this price is a great deal. Tickets are moving quickly,” said Swanberg.
For more information, contact Swanberg at 498-8726
or go to www.spud-speedway.com.
