Here’s to the Hokies: Roanoke’s Rockin Remembrance

Britt Conway / WSLS NewsChannel 10
Published: April 25, 2007

The tragedy at Virgnia Tech. Thirty-three dead -- thousands affected.

"It just hits close to home definitely," says Barry Caldwell. "It just kept snowballing and more dead kept tallying up and Icouldn't believe it."

Two days after it happened, Barry gets a call from a local musician.

"Wanted to do a benefit to help with the families of the Virginia Tech Tragedy, and I was like, well if we're gonna do this, why not take it a little farther and I'll see if I can't get some of the bands involved as well."

Barry's plan: Hold a benefit concert at Awful Arthurs.

"Before we knew it, couple hours later we had 14 bands ready to donate their time and help us out."

Too many for Awful Arthurs. But one call to Event Zone, and now Elmwood Park will host 'Here's to the Hokies: Roanoke's Rockin' Remembrance. It all kicks off today. And with Awfuls' feeding everyone -- the prep work has already begun.

They've already made 400 shrimp skewers and 400 chicken wings. Today they'll be cooking up 400 burgers, 400 orders of fries, 400 orders of fish and chips, jambalaya, the list goes on. And this isn't the only place getting involved. More than 17 companies had committed to donating their time and services by Wednesday. Add the hundreds of people they expect to show up today and Barry says there's just one word for it."

"Blessed, that we live in a town that everybody just pulled together really quickly."

For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/herestothehokies

Admission: $5 Donation and kids under 12 are free

Bands:

The Kind

Groova Scape

Electric Chameleon

Jerry Wimmer of The Worx

Half Moon

Chinese Fire Drill

Shayar & Krooshal Force

The Pop Rivets