The 1st Annual Grateful Gathering, presented by Bluegrass Cellular and benefiting The Son Rhea Foundation, has been declared a success by Son Rhea president Tony Lindsey and volunteer organizers Matt Pfefferkorn and Chuck Lauth. According to Lindsey, over $2,500.00 was raised for South Central Kentucky music students who are enrolled in school music programs but cannot afford to rent or buy their instruments. Said Lindsey, “For a first year fundraiser everything turned out extermely well. What was achieved this year by Matt and Chuck is a sound platform to build upon for future years.”

Lauth said the hope is to build the annual arts & music festival into something that attracts both local residents as well as music and arts lovers from outside the Bowling Green area. He said “There is a large following of Grateful Dead/jam band music lovers who love the outdoor music festival atmosphere, and we’ll be looking to tap into that fan base on a wider scale next year.” He also wanted to stress that the event should also appeal to families and anyone who wants a taste of the 60s/70s music and arts festival experience. There were plenty of kids at the festival having a great time with the moonwalk inflatable, face painting, spin art, clowns, magician, and party favors that were handed out. And all kids 12 and under were admitted free. The adults all seemed to be having a great time too. Many people could be seen dancing on the lawn.

The event was held at Wha Bah’s, and the management there said they were pleased with the turnout too. Approximately 250 paid guests were in attendance. Beverages and food were available at the outdoor bar, and Wha Bahs full dinner menu was available inside. It was a very convenient arrangement. And there were 9 great vendors there selling an interesting array of goods (plenty of tie-dyes, of course), and hand made jewelry, clothing, accessories, even high-quality corn hole bags. And of course there was plenty of music supplied by 6 local and regional acts, topped off by headliners The Pranksters from Louisville.

So look for the Grateful Gathering again next year. Many local businesses sponsored the event and the organizers are hoping they will be behind it again, as well as some additional ones. The goal is to make it a little bit bigger and better each year. The sponsors included title sponsor Bluegrass Cellular, Harley Davidson of Bowling Green, Great Escape Records and Comics, D93 – FM, The Amplifier, WNKY TV, Wha Bahs Steakhouse & Saloon, Alan Simpson Attorney at Law, Professional Tax Service, The Nutrition Center, Bud Light, Batteries Plus, Lawn Doctor, Fruit of the Loom, Royal Music, and J.C. Kirby & Son.

For more info: www.gratefulgathering.com and www.sonrhea.org. 

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman