STAGEHANDS
Musicians' effort nets $4,200 for GRPS
Sunday, October 05, 2003
As organizer Michael Crittenden put it, "It was a good night all the way around."
Tuesday's "Standing Together" benefit concert and CD-release party at The B.O.B. to raise money for Grand Rapids Public Schools' after-school programs not only drew a bevy of high-profile local musicians but many high-profile fans, too.
Among the "couple hundred" folks on hand for the downtown show were Superintendent Bert Bleke, Grand Rapids Mayor-elect George Heartwell and local businessmen John Wheeler, Sam Cummings and Terry Nicholas.
More important, the event at Dr. Grins Comedy Club raised more than $4,200 through donations and sales of the compilation CD Crittenden produced with the help of more than a dozen local artists.
"It went really well," said Crittenden, leader of the band Troll for Trout and operator of the Mackinaw Harvest studio where the "Standing Together" CD was recorded. "It really felt good -- the night, the attendance, the people that were there ... It was a lot of fun."
Artists featured on the CD performed at the concert (which raised dollars for the GRPS' Student Advancement Foundation to support after-school programs for at-risk children), including Crittenden,
the Verve Pipe's Brian VanderArk, Ralston Bowles, Drew Nelson, Michelle Chenard, Andy Willey, Brant Satala, Leigh Kakaty, Rachel Zylstra, and Chad &Lucas of Willamena.
The CD has been selling briskly, with organizers hoping to eventually top more than 2,500 in sales. It's available for $11.99 at Schuler Books &Music, Aris' Disc Shop and Barnes & Noble. For details, visit www.trollfortrout.com/news.asp
