COLORADO SPRINGS – It’s an almost 40-year-old tradition in Colorado Springs and on Wednesday night it came to fruition once again.
Local musicians gathered on Thanksgiving Eve at Stargazers Theatre for a reunion concert and to give back to those in need.
The price of admission wasn’t your usual fee. Folks had to bring non-perishable food or cash donations for Care and Share Food Bank.
The story behind this decades-long event, well, it’s one for the books.
Lewis Mock, who plays lead guitar, said, “This is a reunion of all the musicians that used to play at The Hungry Farmer which was a very popular haunt back in the 70’s.”
One year, the manager served a big meal on Thanksgiving Eve for the musicians who didn’t have a place to go or any money for the holiday. Those musicians then asked to do a post-meal jam session.
Mock said, “We used to get together every year and jam on the night before Thanksgiving when nobody was working.”
Thus, the Hungry Farmer Band Reunion was born.
“This is our 39th year of doing it.”
Over the years the venues and tune of the reunion has changed.
“All the people that used to come to The Hungry Farmer and loved the music they come out to hear us and they bring their kids and their grandkids.”
Knowing that for years they’ve been supported on Thanksgiving they’re giving back.
“We’ve been doing it for several years for Care and Share.”
Susan Laabs attended the concert and said, “We brought a couple soups, some beans, some Ramen soup…that they would continue this tradition now and share with others I think is awesome.”
Band member Sean Anglum said, “Just makes you feel good that people are wanting to come out, have a good time, hear some music, maybe bring some relatives that are in town for Thanksgiving…and just know that you’ve done something…for the community.”
