SARASOTA SUPPORTS BENEFIT FOR MUSICIAN MIKE KACH

They came from all over the Tampa Bay area to show support for local Sarasota musician Mike Kach! The White Buffalo saloon was packed all day for the great music that started at 1:00 p.m. and went until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday night.  Not sure what the capacity is for White Buffalo but there seemed to be around 1,000 in attendance coming and going throughout the day and night.

Just about every musician in the Sarasota/Bradenton area was in attendance either by playing or supporting the event.   There were t-shirts, auctions of some great prizes and guitars signed by some of the best musicians in our area like Rick Derringer, Dickey Betts and The Outlaws.  MC Philip Meyer kept things moving on the stage.

The array of talent was staggering, from Mike Kach himself on organ and wailing it, to guitar legend Pat Travers, the voice of Sarasota’s own Twinkle, and The Outlaws with Sarasota’s Chris Anderson.  They rallied to show everyone their loyalty to one of their own.  Most impressive were the sidemen, who play in their own bands such as Berry Duane Oakley, Tony LeClerc (Rock Soul Radio), Chaz Trippy (formerly Allman Brothers) Thorsen Moore, Todd Cook (Sean Chambers Band) , Greg Poulos, Jeffrey and Pedro Arevalo, just to name a few.  Most of these musicians were there all day, helping with everything from hooking up mics to jumping in when an instrument was needed.  Everyone was there for one reason only – to show their love and support for Mike Kach.

The headliners, “The Outlaws” put on a great show! Friends of Mike, they were there to lend their support to the cause.  Their harmonies and energy were incredible.  Tucker Yochim, (cousin to Twinkle) made an appearance from Nashville, Pat Travers rocked with a great version of the Allman Brothers “One Way Out”.  Twinkle showed us all a little “Respect”, Mack Doss, Sr. did his big hit “Spooky” and the jams from the various musicians were first rate!

Henry Paul of the Outlaws said, “It is impressive how Sarasota has such a great musical community!” He is absolutely right! Despite noise ordinance issues and other struggles the musical community continues to go through, the spirit and music will not be silenced.  Thanks to musicians like Mike Kach and his friends, our Sarasota musical community is something for all of us to be proud of!

photos by Vicky Sullivan, Rock the Lens Photography