02/05/2024
Benefit concert unites a community morning the loss of a local musician
Several local bands planned a benefit concert to help raise funds for the Kirbyville Police Department Santa's Toy Box. The organization purchases toys for children in the community for Christmas. Over the last few years, the number of children in the community who would go without on Christmas morning has steadily increased, prompting KPD Sergeant Josh Hancock to look for more ways to fundraise.
They began holding a poker run several years ago and have added a jeep event, mud race, and car show in the last few years. The event has grown in popularity, with more events and participants each year.
While the events are taking place, local bands take the stage under the pavilion. The bands decided to hold a one-night-only benefit concert for the toy drive. They were able to rent the Historic Palace Theater for the event. The theater holds about 350 seats and is managed by the Kirbyville Area Heritage Society.
Kirbyville native and Bonami Band drummer RJ Morgan began coordinating the concert, reaching out to local favorites the Pegwinders and several others. While setting up the event, Joe Haley, lead guitarist for the Pegwinders, passed away suddenly.
A shock went through the community, as Haley was a fixture in the local music scene and connected to so many musicians. Haley was one of the founding members of the Bon Ami Band and even came up with the band's name over 15 years ago.
Joe Danna said at the time, he was just a lead guitarist when the band formed.
"The Bon Ami Band got together about 20 years ago, and our first guitar player was Mr. Joe Haley. We were practicing for a gig, and our singer quit. So, Joe Haley said well, Joseph, you're going to have to pick up the microphone. I was just really a guitar player at the time. So Joe got me on the microphone. But then we say, well, we need a band name. So, we're all from Kirbyville, so it's got to be Kirbyville. Joe said Bon Ami Band, and we all looked at him like he was stupid. I said, Well, there ain't more Kirbyville than Bon Ami Road. We played for that one gig and said we were going to change the name after that, but the name stuck for over 15 years."
The concert showed Haley's deep roots for all the local musicians. The Palace Theater was packed with members from our community who were family and friends of Haley.
The event would have been a success just for the number of tickets sold, but as a tribute to a great man and an incredible musician, every musician who took the stage blew the audience away. The level of talent from each act was amazing.
Case Granger, a young singer and guitarist from Kirbyville, kicked the night off. Straight off his Kirbyville Country Music Show Entertainer of the Year win, Granger put on a great show.
Next on stage was RoyBoy Collins, accompanied by Michael Rector on the harmonica. The duo put on an amazing set.
Seth Stevens took the stage with his acoustic guitar and was excellent. He even coaxed his daughter on stage for a short song.
Next was Brandon Boyd, who was accompanied by Brandon Boyd and Rector and performed several folk songs Boyd wrote. The set was very entertaining.
Amazing Timekeepers came on stage and just rocked the crowd with band members Benny Day, Ron Perry, and Judy Long.
The Pegwinders followed, as did the Bon Ami Band, with whom Haley both played. Lead singer for the Pegwinders Sarah Fussell said that she took the stage with Haley 25 years ago at the Country Music Show and that it was fitting that she says goodbye back on that stage.
The local legend Mama Earl joined the Bon Ami Band and blew the crowd away.
Finally, RJ Morgan invited all the performers back on stage for one final song as a tribute to Haley. Morgan lit the candle in tribute to the late musician before the group sang Hank Williams Jr's Blues Man.
Hancock stated the turnout for the event was great, and between ticket sales and the BBQ stand outside, they made over $3,600 for the organization. Hancock thanked Morgan, Lynn Fussell with KOFA Catering, and all the volunteers who made the event possible. He also thanked the Kirbyville Area Heritage Society for using the building.
Benefit Concert Unites Community in Mourning and Support for Local Musician's Legacy
In a heartfelt display of solidarity and community spirit, several local bands in Kirbyville organized a benefit concert to raise funds for the Kirbyville Police Department Santa's Toy Box, an organization dedicated to providing Christmas gifts for underprivileged children in the community. The initiative, spearheaded by KPD Sergeant Josh Hancock, has evolved over the years, incorporating events like poker runs, jeep outings, mud races, and car shows.
This year, the organizers took it a step further by arranging a one-night-only benefit concert at the Historic Palace Theater, which was graciously provided by the Kirbyville Area Heritage Society. The theater, with a capacity of 350 seats, became the stage for an emotional night of music, community support, and remembrance.
Tragically, the event took an unexpected turn when Joe Haley, lead guitarist for the Pegwinders and a beloved figure in the local music scene, passed away suddenly. Haley, one of the founding members of the Bon Ami Band and a significant contributor to the community's musical fabric for over 15 years, left a void that reverberated throughout the tight-knit community.
Local drummer for the Bon Ami Band RJ Morgan, a Kirbyville native, took on the coordination of the concert, reaching out to fellow musicians like the Pegwinders and others. The sudden loss of Haley cast a shadow over the event, highlighting the profound impact he had on the local music scene and the deep connections he shared with fellow musicians.
The concert turned into a poignant tribute to Joe Haley's legacy, with the Palace Theater filled to capacity by members of the community who were family and friends of the late guitarist. The lineup showcased the incredible talent present in the Kirbyville music scene, with each act delivering memorable performances.
The evening began with a powerful set from Kirbyville's Country Music Show Entertainer of the Year, Case Granger. RoyBoy Collins, accompanied by harmonica player Michael Rector, and Seth Stevens with his acoustic guitar followed suit, captivating the audience with their musical prowess.
Brandon Boyd took the stage with a set of folk songs he had written, accompanied by Rector, delivering an entertaining performance. The Amazing Timekeepers, featuring Benny Day, Ron Perry, and Judy Long, rocked the crowd with their electrifying presence.
The Pegwinders and the Bon Ami Band, both of which Joe Haley was a part of, took the stage, offering heartfelt tributes to their departed friend. Lead singer for the Pegwinders, Sarah Fussell, reflected on sharing the stage with Haley 25 years ago, emphasizing the fittingness of saying goodbye on the same platform.
Earlette Duckworth, known affectionately as Mama Earl, joined the Bon Ami Band and left the audience in awe with her performance. The night reached its emotional peak when RJ Morgan invited all performers back on stage for a final song, a tribute to Joe Haley. As a symbolic gesture, Morgan lit a candle in memory of the late musician before the group performed Hank Williams Jr's "Blues Man."
Despite the somber circumstances, the turnout for the event was remarkable, with over $3,600 raised through ticket sales and a BBQ stand outside. Sergeant Josh Hancock expressed his gratitude to RJ Morgan, Lynn Fussell with KOFA Catering, and all the volunteers who made the event possible. He also extended his thanks to the Kirbyville Area Heritage Society for generously providing the venue.
In the face of loss, the Kirbyville community rallied together through music, demonstrating the power of unity and the enduring impact of local legends like Joe Haley. The benefit concert not only raised funds for a noble cause but also served as a heartfelt farewell to a musician whose influence will resonate in the hearts of the community for years to come.
