February Cover Story

Rich Dangel Tribute

2/16 @ Moore Theater, Seattle, 6pm; also, Listen for a special Rich Dangel Tribute show on KEXP's Preachin' The Blues with Marlee Walker, Sunday, 2/9, 10am, with fellow Wailer Buck Ormsby and many other special guests).

Many will gather to honor the life and music of Rich Dangel, a true pioneer in music and one of the most well loved artists in the NW scene, who passed away unexpectedly at his Seattle home in early December. Performers include The Fabulous Wailers, The Ventures, The Kingsmen, Butterbean, The Reputations, Alive & Well, & Smoke. Individual performers expected to appear include Larry Coryell, Nokie Edwards, Merrilee Rush, Gail Harris, and Little Bill Engelhart, among others. Said Dangel's longtime friend, Wailers bass guitarist Buck Ormsby: "This will be an evening of joy. All these great performers will be there playing their hearts out, paying tribute to a dear friend and musical genius. Rich would love it."

Concert proceeds benefit Wailers Performing Arts Foundation, Musicians Assistance Program, both programs that Rich supported & Dangel's family. The WPAF's mission is to offer music opportunities, education, instruments and scholarships to young, talented, creative, including disadvantaged kids who are interested in pursuing music. One project of the WPAF is creating & establishing music learning centers and worshops for the The Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Plans are in the works to name one or more after Rich Dangel. Read more about Rich's interests and what you can do you help continue his inspiration and legacy at the Wailers website or 206.726.2123.

Another project of the WPAF (Wailers Performing Arts Fund) is The Tacoma School of the Arts invitation to participate in their educational projects. Rich was going to head up some of these projects, and get involved with kids. Rich was an inspiration and will continue to be through these programs.

MAP (Musicians Assistance Program) is an organization of many well known, and not so well known, entertainers, and industry people who have experienced addiction and entered recovery. Bandmate in his most recent band Butterbean, Michael Kinder is a counselor, as was Rich. The job consists of counseling addicts and re-directing their lives in a positive way. This works hand in hand as MAP's mission is to reinforce the fact that you don't need drugs to play music or entertain.

We feel it immediately when one of our own is no longer with us, especially when the caliber of Rich's talent leaves within us a void or vacuum. People take for granted that when they experience a great performance or listen to an outstanding player that it's something or someone who will be there forever. Maybe this event will put more focus on how much we respect our fellow musicians and possibly a little respect might rub off on people to realize that at some point they may feel that same void or vacuum when they can no longer experience live music. The point is, support live music and don't miss a date. They may not be there next time.

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