CoreMessage

Client News

Tallahassee Democrat: Rock by the Sea hosts benefit concert

Monday, August 01, 2011

Beth Gosnell had recently lost a sister to pancreatic cancer when she and two other friends came up with the idea for Rock by the Sea in 2007.

The first event was a weekend music festival at Harry A’s on St. George Island that featured 18 musical acts.

“Cancer touches everyone,” Gosnell said. “I just wanted to do something. So my friends, as supportive as they are, just jumped in. And it turned out to be an amazing event.”

Rock by the Sea is a nonprofit organization that hosts music events to benefit other nonprofits.

“It’s a really great community of people — from the volunteers to the bands that comes out to perform,” said Francisco Gonzalez, board member. “And they contribute to some really great organizations.”

Ed Moore, Rock by the Sea board member, said in the past the organizations included Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Camp Sunshine, Lyrics for Life and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Rock by the Sea is hosting a benefit concert Friday at the Midtown Filling Station featuring Sarah Mac Band and JK & the Lost Boys to raise money for Down Syndrome Association of Tallahassee and The Refuge House. The concert is free and open to the public.

“It’s a love for music and wanting to do good for others is what drove the start of the organization,” she said. “Music replenishes the soul. Music just has a way of bringing people together.”

By Elizabeth M. Mack – Democrat staff writer

« Return to News