2001 Concert Review - Gettysburg Times

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http://www.gburgtimes.com/news/Concert-813.shtml

LYME AID 2001

A concerted effort to beat the disease

By DEBRA BROWNLEY - Times Staff Writer

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From Gettysburg to Norway, people traveled to attend the Lyme Aid 2001 “Country

Fire on the Mountain” concert Saturday at Liberty Mountain Resort in Carroll

Valley.

“It went off without a hitch. All the entertainers put on a great show,” said

Donna White, one of the event coordinators.

The concert featured five of Nashville’s hottest new stars: Cagle, Tammy

Cochran, Mike , Marshall Dyllon and T Bubba (comedian).

“I just think it’s a wonderful opportunity to help people. I’m a big champion

for funding causes for diseases like cystic fibrosis, Lyme disease and spina

bifida,” said Tammy Cochran, who dedicated one of her songs to her two brothers

who died from cystic fibrosis.

Additional entertainment included Perko, Borderline, Amy Rose and Wayne

Hill.

“I’m kind of honored to be here with all these national people because that’s

where I hope to be someday,” said Perko, prior to going on stage.

All the proceeds from the event benefit “Ticked Off and Fed Up” (T.O.F.U.), a

non-profit organization formed to help educate the public on Lyme disease and

provide funding for research.

Lyme disease has become the most common tick-borne disease in the United States.

Thousands of new cases are reported each year. Many more go undiagnosed.

Such is the case with Wenger, 17, of Gettysburg, and Amber Murtoff,

14, of Hanover, who both have chronic Lyme disease. The teen-agers said they

hope the event helps to promote awareness of the disease.

Wenger was diagnosed with Lyme in January of 2000, and said many people,

including physicians, are not knowledgeable of the disease.

“I’ve been undiagnosed for 15 years and misdiagnosed for many other years,” she

said.

Lyme disease can cause a number of symptoms including a rash, muscle and joint

pain, headaches, swollen glands, fever and chills. It can also mimic other

diseases.

Murtoff has had the disease for about three years now, and was first diagnosed

in February.

“I’m always complaining about how teen-agers my age drink and smoke and ruin

their bodies. If that’s what they’re looking for, they can have mine because

Lyme disease has ruined my body,” she said.

“It feels really good to be here singing for a good cause,” said ,

lead singer for Marshall Dyllon. “Any chance that we get, the guys and I like to

come out and do something like this because it lets us know that we are doing

something more than just singing for our supper.”

Marshall Dyllon fans like 8-year-old s of East Berlin, and

Harbold, 12, of Dover, along with her two 16-year-old twin sisters Angel and

Candi, had been waiting patiently since 9 in the morning for the band — three

hours before the concert was scheduled to begin.

The twin sisters were the first two people to join the fan club from

Pennsylvania, making them the state representatives. The girls also started a

Web site for the entire band, and one for each member.

“This is our favorite band in the entire world,” Angel said. “I died my hair red

to match Dan.”

Angel drew portraits of each of the band members and presented them during an

autographing session. The girls also made T-shirts with each of the band

member’s pictures on the shirt.

“ Littleton is wearing a shirt that we bought him,” said Candi, pointing

him out during the show. “I just love these guys to death,” added.

All in all, it seemed to be an enjoyable day for the entire family. Patchwork

quilts, lawn chairs and beach towels could be seen strewn across the

mountainside. People just kicked back and relaxed, and took in the fresh air and

country music. Others enjoyed the up close and personal attention they received

from the artists.

“The performers spent a lot of time with fans afterwards signing autographs,

taking pictures. They really wanted to be with the fans,” White noted.

Cagle said he is so new to the business that sometimes all the attention

he gets from fans feels “weird.”

“Being here is something that I’m grateful for and that I want to be a part of,”

Cagle said. “It’s an honor, but I can’t wait for the day that I really benefit a

cause — when I’ve paid my dues and I’ve grown, and able to fill up the field out

here.”

“He’s awesome. This is my 29th time seeing him,” said Jen Bowerize, the first

member of Cagle’s fan club. She is from Ashland, Ohio, and drove all night with

no sleep, close to seven hours to see him perform.

“The talent was spectacular and everyone has been gracious,” said Ken Mott,

director of T.O.F.U.

Each of the performers was presented with a Civil War print in appreciation for

their time and talent. Numerous restaurants in Gettysburg also donated

complimentary dinners for the bands.

“It’s a beautiful thing to perform at a benefit like this,” said Jeff Mattevi,

bass player for Mike .

Many of the performers said they would be willing to come back in the future,

noting that everyone was very hospitable.

Despite the heat wave earlier in the week and clouds that loomed overhead on

Saturday, the rain held off until after the last performance.

More than 100 volunteers manned the information booths, ticket sales and served

as security. The Gettysburg Battlefield detachment of the Marine Corps League

was one of the groups that volunteered their time.

It took two days and 10 hours per day to set up the stage.

“It has been a culmination of a year-long planning effort, and to see it all

come to fruition today is awesome,” said Vicki Karam , vice president of

T.O.F.U. “We are overwhelmed at the local, regional and national support that

we’ve received.”

WGTY-FM 107.7 was instrumental in securing the bands. Liberty Mountain Resort

donated the use of its property for the event as well as 100 percent of the food

profits. The Gettysburg Times provided funding as well.

T.O.I.L. for Lyme!

T=Teach tolerance; O=Overcome ignorance; I=Initiate insurance reform; L=Labor

for Lyme literacy

*Websites*

http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/RoseWriter or

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/romarkaraoke/james.html

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